Brainstorming for campervan distribution PCBs

ESPHome
1

I’m planning to build a campervan in a few years and am now in a brainstorm period :smiley:
To keep the electric installation as clean as possible and a minimum wiring, I was thinking creating distribution boards for the 12V and lighting (WS2815). They will spread around the van, about 5 or 6. I also want to be able to connect some sensors, FET outputs to switch some parts, etc. Would this be possible (and practical) to put in a single ESP32 (on each board), or would it preferable to get another processor for the WS2815 (also an ESP32 or Attiny 85) and communicate between those with I2C?
Downside is I can’t update the lighting patterns OTA with an Attiny. I’m also not sure how two ESP32 will work next to eachother, with WIFI interference.
Any thoughts on this?

2

Over Xmas we hired a motor home. Nice holiday and now we may buy one and am having similar thoughts.

You may also want to think about other automations, my initial wants:

  1. A weight sensor for gas cylinders so I know when it is low.

  2. Making the water & grey water tanks level meters and house battery etc ha compatible

  3. Retractable starlink satellite dish.

  4. Auto cutoff for usb chargers to regulate charging.

  5. Media for radio/music.

Back to your post, I think an esp32 would handle that, per board. They are quite powerful.

1 Like
3

I did read this guys blog a couple of years ago. Plenty of good ideas.

Pat

2 Likes
4

Yes, I have a lot of ideas to implement, I will try to automate about everything, water system c.q. levels, heating, security, etc.
Will add p.e. USB-C/PD outlets so everything is futureproof.

Thanks for your thoughts!

5

Brilliant! Will check this out! :grinning: