I was wondering if anyone has stumbled across a tutorial on how to make a light switch from a particle photon.
the $50-70 dollar light switches at HD an other places really put a crimp on my home automation dreams.
I want to do the following for starters
Monitor lighting on/off and be able to turn it on and off.
Garage door monitoring.
Thanks in advance.
I haven’t seen much on the light switch…I know it will involve a relay but I need to address powering the photon/(insert better device) and other issues.
It kind of depends on how much room you’ve got to spare. If space isn’t an issue, simply hook up a photon, relays, and maybe a light sensor. Then you should be good to go.
If you have to recess it in a wall socket, things might get a bit more complicated due to size constraints.
You could use 433Hz outlets as well, if it doesn’t have to be built-in.
Anyhow, we need a bit more info on the requirements in order to give more specific suggestions.
Building something as small as those found at HD etc will be very hard to do for under $50
I do it with things like Particle because it’s fun.
You will need at least (sorry in Canadian Dollars, so likely 25% cheaper for the Americans on the site)
Particle - $29
High quality 10to15A relay and related flyback diodes and connections - 15$
120v to 5 or 3.3v (depends on how small of a package you want, can use externally usb charger “wall wart” or buy an internal premade circuit, so $5 to $15.
Or just grab a Wimo for $50 but that’s no fun and can’t do things like check temp, or motion etc. (which would add to the above cost but eBay can keep those things cheap)
but that’s no fun and can’t do things like check temp, or motion etc. (which would add to the above cost but eBay can keep those things cheap)