I’m in the process of building a little free library and I’d love to have a way to track ‘inventory’. Is anyone aware of an RFID reader that has a range of a couple feet (the box will be a few feet square and I’d like to be able to tell what is in it) that also works with ESPHome? Googling has only led me to commercial offerings (which makes sense), but just curious if there’s anything out there that could work (and not break the bank).
Not at a price you would be willing to spend.
Long Range RFID scanners are cheap off Aliexpress. I think that you could build something like this for under a 200nzd including the Pi4. I want to build a scanner that scans my van for tools everytime I leave a site to let me know if I’m missing anything. I have all of the components to build it and are eagerly waiting for some one like minded in the community way smarter than me to integrate an inventory management system into home assistant or to write an app.
I carry around $10,000 worth of tools around everyday… Something like this would be a game changer
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000169784407.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.21.7d7c60d6rJL3QM&algo_pvid=47515d83-6fb4-4818-ba52-095a510ad200
Something like this antenna has up to 22m range. Linked to a pi 4 and mqttp to home assistant?
Ok maybe it might cost $400nzd to build but that’s still well worth it
1 Like
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005412927121.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.11.322c5386EFteK5&algo_pvid=672ccb5c-83d3-4f44-a057-b81b460f1fcf
A compact unit the size of a Pi4 or esp 32 case could be placed in a vehicle, house or toolbox.
Applications.
Pet or lost child scanner. These tags can be sown into garments or attached to collars. You can search for as well as report present or otherwise. No Batteries and wash proof
Fridge and freezer temperature alarms. RFID tags can report temperatures
Engine overheating alarms.
Theft protection. ESP Bluetooth scanner integration…
Inventory management, Tools, Groceries, presence detection, flood management.
Track which mate borrowed what and never returned it…
* [email protected]
#wled
I see these are more reasonable now, did anyone try them? I would also like to keep track of tools and hardware in a couple of different yards and several vehicles
I’m diving into this too. Anyone have any experiences or wisdom to share?