Hi all,
I ask a reseller to install an electric gate.
The first electronic module proposed by the compagny is the “Somfy IXENGO 3S + IO Confort”.
I don’t want to have my full domotic with somfy.
Someone already done this with ESP32 ?
Thanks a lot
ESP32 (or even a ESP8266) with a SPST dry contact relay output (most are) connected directly to the controller board. WiFi back to your HomeAssistant server. BlueToorh to your mobile phone for proximity opening as you glide up with the limo. If you want ZigBee or Matter/Thread, use one if the compatible later model ESP32’s but avoid the cheap one with the onboard Red Chip antenna - they haven’t got the range.
You short contact 3 (Gnd) and either:
- 30 for full gate open/close with just a pulse. (You probably want this one.)
- 32 for shuffle mode where it moves depending on how long the contact remains closed. (This is for Jeeves to let the hounds out to join the hunt.)
Don’t forget to program the mode in Parameter P37.
It’s in the Somfy wiring manual.
Most other controllers are very similar, even the wiring location within the connector, right next to the antenna wire.
If you’re cheeky, you might even steal power from the power supply through a small voltage step down board rated for 500mA. A dangling antenna helps with range. You may find enough room inside the case for all the extras. Just clear heatshrink wrap it for safety, ants, mud and water being a real concern.
If you want to make the entire controller board including the motor controllers and limit sensors, that is do-able too. Factor your development time and futzing around complete with a waterproof enclosure and a ‘bought one’ become a viable alternative.
I don’t know Somfy, but in my case I tap from the 12V battery, with a buck converter. My gate’s controller always runs from the battery and there’s a separate board that keeps the battery charged. Just mentioning that. Whatever is easiest.
The inside of my box is also dusted with ant powder (baby powder works too, if you don’t want to use a poison). Ants are a real pain in this case. My box has a cover that won’t let water in and my own ESP fits inside with everything else. Watch out for temperature too. My box is exposed to direct sunlight, especially in summer, so it gets quite hot in there (you can monitor the ESP’s temperature).
It might also be possible to tap the built-in limit sensors instead of adding your own. I connected my ESP to the controller board’s pins via a TTL converter board (controller is 5V, ESP is 3.3V).
One thing I never did was to also read the sensor for when the clutch is released (i.e. it can then be operated manually).