Decoding 433MHz RF signals from a chicken door transmitter
I’m trying to decode the RF signals from a handheld transmitter (remote) for a chicken door I bought from Aliexpress, and then integrate it with my Home Assistant setup using ESPHome.
Issue
I’m experiencing two problems with my RF receiver setup:
- Initially, I was getting a continuous string of rolling responses in the logs even when I wasn’t pushing any buttons on the handheld transmitter. This suggests the receiver might be picking up random noise or interference.
- Now, I’m trying to detect when a button is pressed on my handheld transmitter, but I’m not seeing any response in the logs when I press buttons. I’ve verified:
- The ESP32 is connected and operational (status shows online)
- The RF receiver module is properly wired to GPIO33
- The handheld transmitter has working batteries and its LED lights up when buttons are pressed
Important note: I’ve confirmed the handheld transmitter works properly. I purchased a commercial RF receiver unit from Aliexpress (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007681100948.html) that successfully detects signals from this same transmitter. I can control the chicken door using the official app on my iPhone. This confirms my transmitter is functioning correctly, but my ESPHome setup isn’t detecting it.
Hardware Details
- Controller: ESP32 development board
- RF Receiver Modules I’ve tried:
- 433MHz Super-heterodyne Wireless Receiver Module (Amazon: 10pair 433/315MHZ RF Transmitter and Receiver Module Board Kit XD-FST/XD-RF-5V)
- RF Receiver Module (Aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006476877078.html)
- RF Component/Module (Aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007287439249.html)
- Connection: RF receiver connected to GPIO33 (inverted)
- Transmitter: Original handheld remote that came with the chicken door controller
Hardware Details
- Device: ESP32 development board
- RF Receiver Options:
- 433MHz Super-heterodyne Wireless Receiver Module (Amazon: 10pair 433/315MHZ RF Transmitter and Receiver Module Board Kit XD-FST/XD-RF-5V (433MHZ) : Amazon.com.au: Computers)
- RF Receiver Module (Aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006476877078.html)
- RF Component/Module (Aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007287439249.html)
- Connection: RF receiver connected to GPIO33 (inverted)
- Working Reference Device: I also purchased a stock standard RF controller (Aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007681100948.html) which successfully maps the remote and allows me to send signals using the official app on my iPhone
this is a stripped down version of the basic code I’m using
esphome:
name: rf-detector
friendly_name: RF Detector
esp32:
board: esp32dev
framework:
type: arduino
logger:
level: DEBUG
logs:
remote_receiver: DEBUG
wifi:
ssid: !secret wifi_ssid
password: !secret wifi_password
api:
remote_receiver:
pin:
number: GPIO33
inverted: true
filter: 8000us
idle: 100ms
tolerance: 25%
on_raw:
- lambda: |-
ESP_LOGI("remote", "RF signal detected!");
ESP_LOGI("remote", "Number of pulses: %d", x.size());
std::string signal = "";
for (int i = 0; i < std::min(10, (int)x.size()); i++) {
signal += std::to_string(x[i]) + ", ";
}
if (x.size() > 10) signal += "...";
ESP_LOGI("remote", "Signal pattern: %s", signal.c_str());
binary_sensor:
- platform: status
name: "RF Detector Status"
Questions
- How can I filter out the random noise/interference that was causing false detections?
- Are my ESPHome remote_receiver parameters appropriate for a 433MHz receiver?
- Do I need to add pull-up/pull-down resistors or additional components?
- Are there recommended troubleshooting steps to verify the receiver module is working correctly?
- Could the initial rolling responses and current lack of response be related issues?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’m trying to automate my chicken door using Home Assistant and just need to get past this initial RF signal detection hurdle.
Thank you!