DIY hardware

Hardware
1

I am a recent convert to Home Assistant, and I am blown away with how user friendly and powerful it is. I have a question about end devices like smart switches, plugs, sensors, etc. I can find countless websites and YouTube videos that show how to configure devices and build prototypes on breadboards, but almost nothing on how to build a device that I can actually mount in my home.

I know that most of the devices are readily available for purchase, but I enjoy making the widgets. Are there some good sites or YouTube channels that address making smart devices that are robust and reasonably attractive? And that don’t require me to buy a 3D printer. I’m looking for sources for enclosures, mounting methods, etc using off the shelf items that I might not think of. For instance I saw someone using dummy camera housings to hold PIR sensors.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Kyle

2

The physical stuff is a bit hard to list, since it depends on geographical availability.

The prototyping seems easy enough though.
ESPHome installed on a ESP8266 or ESP32 board and you have a platform to add sensors on.
Take a look at esphome.io

3

Something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/plastic-enclosure/s?k=plastic+enclosure

4

There are loads of devices you can buy from shops which someone has already spent time designing mass producing.
Project case from old air freshner.

5

I’m using ESPHome. It’s been great. I’m sure it has its limits and drawbacks but for what I’ve been doing with it, it works fine. There seems to be an abundance of info on the wiring, configuration, etc of home built devices, but very little on how to make them so that they are durable enough to work in the real world, and attractive enough so that they are not an eyesore in the house.

thanks for the reply.

6

That’s exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to find. It’s simple, it looks decent, and it works.

thank you.