# Motion sensors to turn on an outlet that powers a water pump

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/motion-sensors-to-turn-on-an-outlet-that-powers-a-water-pump/69951>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [2 November 2022 12:09 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/motion-sensors-to-turn-on-an-outlet-that-powers-a-water-pump/69951 "2022-11-02T12:09:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 10\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [5 November 2022 14:59 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/motion-sensors-to-turn-on-an-outlet-that-powers-a-water-pump/69951/21 "2022-11-05T14:59:09Z")

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> [@nodeBoy816](#):
>
> Will I need a separate machine (laptop, server, etc.?) to run Caddy on or can I use it on the same HP 2000 laptop I'm running Ubuntu (Node red) on?

No, your existing machine is more than enough. I've run all that stuff and more on a Pi3 in the past and it was OK. I run everything on an old Lenovo X240 laptop now, i5 with 8GB ram. Even when running docker apps, it doesn't even break into a sweat and the fans never come on. I've also set the laptop to run (Debian) in minimal power mode with the screen off so that it uses probably no more power than the 2 Pi's I was running before.

> [@nodeBoy816](#):
>
> The tutorial I'm following says I'll need Ubuntu Server 22.04. My search here in the forum hasn't yielded any results for configuring Caddy for my situation.

I run Debian minimal since it is a lot simpler than Ubuntu and closer to the same OS (Rasbian) on the Pi. Ubuntu is nominally built over Debian. But either will do. Caddy isn't fussy about the OS it is running on.

> [@nodeBoy816](#):
>
> the author doesn't indicate whether he's already installed Ubuntu Server 22.04 or no. From what I gather, he's just installed it on Ubuntu Desktop.

Forget running a desktop on your home server unless you are desperate for one (and in that case, personally, I'd run one via Docker, I occasionally do that to get a Linux desktop over RDP). The Linux desktops are crazy complex and suck up resources and electricity you don't need. To say nothing of all of the extra updates you have to keep installing. Not worth it. Caddy is configured via text files like most of Linux anyway so it is very easy. I use VSCode remote to edit mine.

You can search the forum here for references to Caddy in order to get the basics you need for running Node-RED and then once working, you can tweak to meet your exact needs.

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**Author:** ![craigcurtin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@craigcurtin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/craigcurtin)\
**Post date:** [6 November 2022 01:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/motion-sensors-to-turn-on-an-outlet-that-powers-a-water-pump/69951/22 "2022-11-06T01:22:44Z")

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> [@nodeBoy816](#):
>
> The tutorial I'm following says I'll need Ubuntu Server 22.04.

Nope as Julian has said 20.04 is fine.

Can i suggest though as you are at the start of your journey into all of this and if you are not using the laptop for web browsing etc as well - you maybe start from scratch and set it up with Debian without a desktop and then use that as the base for moving forward.

Ubuntu has gone off on a funny tangent recently with some application packaging stuff that makes a number of tasks more difficult (sometimes) for beginners etc.

Most of the people (majority probably) run Node red on Debian (as this is what the Raspberry Pi has been based on) so you will get the most help and support with that. Its not a big thing - but it is the edge cases that trip up newbies

Craig

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**Author:** ![nodeBoy816](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@nodeBoy816](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/nodeBoy816)\
**Post date:** [6 November 2022 10:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/motion-sensors-to-turn-on-an-outlet-that-powers-a-water-pump/69951/23 "2022-11-06T10:12:48Z")

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@craigcurtin and @TotallyInformation I was thinking the same thing. My hesitation with going (back) to Debian was because I've invested so much in trying to get Ubuntu to work. That being said, I'm working on installing Debian now. 🙂

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**Author:** ![nodeBoy816](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@nodeBoy816](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/nodeBoy816)\
**Post date:** [6 November 2022 14:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/motion-sensors-to-turn-on-an-outlet-that-powers-a-water-pump/69951/24 "2022-11-06T14:23:46Z")

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Hello Jullian, I started an install of Debian earlier today as well as a thread ([Best install procedure for installing Debian on laptop exclusively dedicated to running Node Red - #2 by Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/best-install-procedure-for-installing-debian-on-laptop-exclusively-dedicated-to-running-node-red/70155/2)). If you had time to offer your two-cents I'd be much obliged, but no worries if you've got enough on your plate. I should be able to sort through it (default options for everything). lol

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**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [6 November 2022 17:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/motion-sensors-to-turn-on-an-outlet-that-powers-a-water-pump/69951/25 "2022-11-06T17:43:26Z")

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Done. Dratted Discourse won't let you give a single-word answer!

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**Author:** ![nodeBoy816](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@nodeBoy816](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/nodeBoy816)\
**Post date:** [2 December 2022 13:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/motion-sensors-to-turn-on-an-outlet-that-powers-a-water-pump/69951/26 "2022-12-02T13:22:26Z")

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Hello all again! I finally completed the install of Debian - as best I know how anyway. ha! Now I'm a bit hung up on how to enable access to the Node-RED Editor over HTTPS. Not sure if this is where something like CloudFlare / Nginx / Caddy comes into play. I've started a thread: [How to enable access to the Node-RED Editor over HTTPS](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-enable-access-to-the-node-red-editor-over-https/71609). If anyone was able to offer their insight I'd be much obliged!

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**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [2 December 2022 15:34 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/motion-sensors-to-turn-on-an-outlet-that-powers-a-water-pump/69951/27 "2022-12-02T15:34:43Z")

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I've responded in that thread.

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**Author:** ![nodeBoy816](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@nodeBoy816](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/nodeBoy816)\
**Post date:** [17 December 2022 13:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/motion-sensors-to-turn-on-an-outlet-that-powers-a-water-pump/69951/28 "2022-12-17T13:57:31Z")

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Okay, so an update: the motion sensors arrived on the 6th of this month and so I'm going to finally try to create my first flow! This will utilize the Decora Smart Plug-In Single Outlet, Zigbee Certified DG15A, the 3 Aqara motion sensors and the SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus Gateway, Universal Zigbee USB Gateway with Antenna for Home. Heeeere goes!

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**Author:** ![nodeBoy816](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@nodeBoy816](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/nodeBoy816)\
**Post date:** [20 December 2022 14:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/motion-sensors-to-turn-on-an-outlet-that-powers-a-water-pump/69951/29 "2022-12-20T14:03:09Z")

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So I read through this [Creating your first flow : Node-RED](https://nodered.org/docs/tutorials/first-flow) and was a bit lost, but thankfully your video [Creating a flow - Node-RED Essentials - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46Ak61c_ymc) helped to fill in the blanks. I successfully created a couple flows, but now trying to figure out how to get my Sonoff Zigbee 3 Plus to work with node red. First need to install it on my Debian machine. Not finding much in the way of resources on that topic, but will continue researching. Currently checking out [Getting started | Zigbee2MQTT](https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/guide/getting-started/) . Also ran into a roadblock installing my coordinator. If any has time to weigh in on the topic I created I'd be obliged. [HOW TO - Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 Dongle Plus on Debian running on HP2000](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-sonoff-zigbee-3-0-dongle-plus-on-debian-running-on-hp2000/72475) Thank you in advance!

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [18 February 2023 14:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/motion-sensors-to-turn-on-an-outlet-that-powers-a-water-pump/69951/30 "2023-02-18T14:03:48Z")

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Closed on 18 February 2023 14:03 UTC

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