If it wasn’t because of forums like this I wouldn’t have been able to build what I’ve done. Yet it seems most of the people that participate on this forum buy stuff to then re flash, instead of starting from scratch. Why?
I started with making what I called my poor man’s sonoffs. Turns out that at the end of the day I was spending about the same, if not little more than what a “basic” sonoff would cost, about $5. However what I am making is not a sonoff basic, but a multi purpose tasmota insted.
The parts I am playing with. D1 Minis as the “brains” under $2 from china. Hi Links to power the 5v under $3. Then I can attach touch sensors as switches (like 10 cents), relays for actual on/off of devices, reed sensors and hall sensors (magnet swiches) (under $1). Can also connect LEDs, PIR sensors, temp sensors, etc, etc. I use cat 5 cable to connect between locations, only sending 3.3 or 5v through the lines, so no problem.
Example of my different setups. One tasmota has 3 relays, 4 switches. two switches downstairs, and two switches upstairs. Downstairs the switches control kitchen light, and stairs. Upstairs the two switches control the upstairs hallway light, and the stairs light. Both switch plates have a wall plate with touch sensors and an LED that turns on when all 3 relays are off.
Other setup is the main door one, the hardest one to get right. It has one relay, 3 switches, and 2 door sensors/switches.The relay controls the porch light. SW1 (switch) toggles porch light on and off. SW2 triggers remote relay to turn on living room lights. SW3 triggers remote relay to turn on fan on living room. Using a single, double ,etc up to 5 plus HOLD combinations of those 3 switches disarms alarm. The 2 door sensors are for the main front door, and for the secondary metal fence/protector attached to the front door as well (common here in Mexico, even on windows. Looks like you are in jail when you look out your window).
Another example is the front house tasmota. It has two relays and two door sensors (reed switches). The relays control the alarm siren, and the front gate door electric lock. The door sensors control the gate door, and the main gate to let the car in.
Usually there is a light switch box close to the main door. I just drilled from the door frame into the light socket, where I have the D1 mini. Here in Mexico we usually only have the power line on the wall switches, but no neutral. I usually place the relays and the Hi lighs on the ceiling, on top of the light/fan fixtures. I then run down a cat5 cable to the actual switch box, and send down power and connect the signal lines for the relay to the D1 mini. Hot glue touch sensors to an empty wall plate, and it is done.
I am now looking to get some PIRs, and add them where appropriate.
Again, why does it seem that I am the odd ball? I’ve seen many of the popular youtubers on the topic purchase, use and endorse all these different devices, when they could just go simple.