2channel relay randomly starts letting curent on by itself

ESPHome
1

Hello everyone,
so I have an issues with my winch garage door controller. The original winch controller has up/down push button and a capacitor in the remote for changing the direction of the motor. That is why there are 6 wires.

I have ESP8266 and 2 2channel relays.
I use 2 channel relay for opening, and 2 channel relay for closing garage doors, the issues is that sometimes relay starts letting current and randomly starts to open or close my garage doors. I have somewhat temporary fixed the issues by installing a smart plug with which the winch is powered. The winch only gets power when I press up or down button and turns off after the closing/opening is done.

Can someone give me some pointers for my code if I am doing something wrong or something? Because when the relay start letting current on by itself, it does not burn, after few hours of not having power it starts to work normally again.

I have included a picture and code I currently use.
The is

esphome:
  name: garaza_mercedes
  friendly_name: garaza_mercedes
  platform: ESP8266

  board: nodemcu

# Enable logging
logger:

# Enable Home Assistant API
api:
  encryption:
    key: "xxx"

ota:
  password: "xxx"

wifi:
  ssid: !secret wifi_ssid
  password: !secret wifi_password
 
  manual_ip:
    static_ip: 192.168.20.15
    gateway: 192.168.20.1
    subnet: 255.255.255.0
    dns1: 1.1.1.1
    dns2: 8.8.8.8
  # Enable fallback hotspot (captive portal) in case wifi connection fails
  ap:
    ssid: "Garaza Fallback Hotspot"
    password: "01zaWI0BOiNF"

captive_portal:


sensor:
  - platform: ultrasonic
    trigger_pin: D5
    echo_pin: D6
    id: topSensor
    name: topSensor
    update_interval: '0.1s'
    on_value_range:
      - above: 4
        then:
      - below: 0.22
        then:
          - switch.turn_on: open_switch
  - platform: ultrasonic
    trigger_pin: D7
    echo_pin: D8
    id: bottomSensor
    name: bottomSensor
    update_interval: '0.1s'
    timeout: 10m
    on_value_range:
      - above: 4 # You must have a below and an above part.
        then:
      - below: 0.22 # You must have a below and an above part.
        then:
          - switch.turn_on: close_switch

switch:
  - platform: gpio
    pin: D2
    name: "Garage Door Open Switch"
    id: open_switch
    restore_mode: ALWAYS_ON 
  - platform: gpio
    pin: D1
    name: "Garage Door Close Switch"
    id: close_switch
    restore_mode: ALWAYS_ON 
    
cover:
  - platform: template
    device_class: garage
    id: cover_garage
    name: Mercedes
    has_position: true
    lambda: |-
      if(id(bottomSensor).state = 'unknown' ) {
        return 0.5;
      }
      else if(id(bottomSensor).state < 0.25) {   
        return 0.0; //return COVER_CLOSED; 
      }  
      else if(id(topSensor).state < 0.25) {
        return 1.0; //return COVER_OPEN;
      }
      else {
        return 0.5;
      }
    open_action:
      - homeassistant.service:
          service: switch.turn_on
          data: {entity_id: switch.chuangmi_hmi206_3708_switch}
      - switch.turn_on: close_switch
      - delay: 0.2s
      - switch.turn_off: open_switch
      - delay: 25s      
      - homeassistant.service:
          service: switch.turn_off
          data: {entity_id: switch.chuangmi_hmi206_3708_switch}
    close_action:
      - homeassistant.service:
          service: switch.turn_on
          data: {entity_id: switch.chuangmi_hmi206_3708_switch}
      - switch.turn_on: open_switch
      - delay: 0.2s
      - switch.turn_off: close_switch
      - delay: 25s      
      - homeassistant.service:
          service: switch.turn_off
          data: {entity_id: switch.chuangmi_hmi206_3708_switch}
    stop_action:
      - switch.turn_on: close_switch
      - switch.turn_on: open_switch
      - homeassistant.service:
          service: switch.turn_off
          data: {entity_id: switch.chuangmi_hmi206_3708_switch}

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2

Just on first reading I would guess that you are getting false readings from the ultrasonic sensors. The data should be logged in HA (assuming you use it). Otherwise capture the logs to see what is happening.

3

I can confirm that the readings from the ultrasonic sensors are not causing this. I have removed that part of code before and tested it without it. The ultrasonic sensor only sends info on when to stop the doors.
I talked to an electrician friend who thinks that the relays are getting stuck close (poor quality) and start letting current through. I will try to get a higher quality board to test if it makes any difference.

Thanks for suggestion :slight_smile:

4

These are not cheap, but you can do away with the relay boards and direct connect them. They have built in isolation and handle 40A:

5

So just replace the arduino relay boards with 2 of these relays for each operaiton, and connect normally as I do on the arduino one atm, input to esp8266 and output to the remote of the winch?

6

Yes. Most of those relay boards are purely for isolation and low voltage operation. A SSR will get you that - but you pay the premium price to do it.

Talk to your electrician mate - they should be able to determine if the specs are suitable.

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