ESP8266 or Arduino for DIY Security System with Home Assistant

Hardware
1

I have a couple of questions:

  • Which boards would you use as part of a DIY security system that communicates with Home Assistant? ESP8266 or Arduino?
  • Do you go wireless or wired?
  • What would be the difference between the two boards from a security system perspective?
  • Can either of the boards power motion detectors?
  • What about smoke alarms? I could care less for Nest Protect as I don’t want to have a cloud account for that.

The reason why I ask is I like to go the DIY route. I want to go with USB and not Wi-Fi or Ethernet for directly communicating with my Home Assistant server.

If I go wireless with this kit:
https://www.amazon.com/Transmitter-Receiver-Regeneration-Wireless-Burglar/dp/B01AL5Q7SC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488224956&sr=8-1&keywords=wireless+433mhz+kit

  • What contact and motion sensors are compatible with the kit?

Anyway, I’ll be getting myself a high-capacity UPS for my server and networking equipment so that should not be that much of a problem, but I do want to know what other Home Assistant users are using for their setups when it comes to home security.

2

Personaly I’m managing my home automation like that:
Sensors<—433mhz—>Gateway Arduino + W5100<—Ethernet---->Raspberry

All + the router is connected to an UPS, I have also some wired sensors.

Gateway handle also the alarm function (siren) and if the raspberry fail the alarm function still work

3

Interesting.

Will these two work?

https://www.amazon.com/iZtouch-Wireless-Detector-Security-Accessories/dp/B01BR12DN2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488230313&sr=8-1&keywords=433mhz+motion+sensor
https://www.amazon.com/iZtouch-8-Packs-Universal-Accessories/dp/B01BR12DGY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488230354&sr=8-1&keywords=433mhz+door+sensor

?

I’m living in United States.

The second link is a pack of 8 door/window sensors and the motion sensor has an on/off switch which is a big no-no to me. I suppose I could put in a white electrical tape over it.

4

Either board would be suitable for a DIY security solution. ESP8266 is great for wireless connectivity but has limited IO capability (especially on the analogue side), so you might end up pairing with an Arduino Pro-Mini or attiny anyway. You should also check out Arduino with MySensors, which is a lower power option suitable for battery operation. Both boards should work with motion detectors, since internally most of those PIR sensors use 3v3 logic.

I would be hesitant to use a DIY system for smoke alarms, since you and your family’s life might depend on the basic smoke detection/alarm functionality. Maybe take a look at a Z-Wave option.

1 Like
5

Thanks. I will go with Arduino for contact/motion sensors and Z-Wave for smoke detector then.

6

No worries, good luck!

7

They should work , they look the same as mines.
Here is a list of easy hackable RF sensors:

1 Like
8

Will the USB cable below work with Arduino Nano? I’ll want at least 10 feet.

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-10-Feet-Mini-B-Ferrite-105449/dp/B002KL8J8W/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_i

Also, is it possible to expand the number of analog ports with Arduino Nano?

9

I got a couple of the Hue sensors for lighting, but set it up to send me a notification if any of them are tripped whilst I’m away from the house. 2 birds, 1 stone

10

Not to be rude, but how is Hue sensors have anything to do with Arduino/ESP8266?

11

Well you could produce the same functionality with the Arduino/ESP8266 by attaching a PIR, a light sensor and a battery, and having a sensor which controls the lights whilst you are in and switches to an alarm system when you are away. It is working nicely for me with the Hue. I did have an ESP8266 doing this previously (sans light sensor) but switched to the Hue as a very neat package. cheers