Tindie

Name: alarmbuddy
SKU: 20517
Price: 26.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.75 (1 reviews)

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alarmbuddy

(1 Review)

Simple ESP32 board which can read up to 12 inputs

Designed by Greg's Tinker Town in Canada

2020-06-23T00:26:56.767Z-alarmbuddy_closeup.png

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Simple ESP32 board which can read up to 12 inputs

Alarm Buddy This is an ESP32 board which can read up to 12 inputs. It can be programmed with custom software, or flashed with esphome to integrate easily with Home Assistant. I have disconnected my...

Alarm Buddy

This is an ESP32 board which can read up to 12 inputs. It can be programmed with custom software, or flashed with esphome to integrate easily with Home Assistant.

I have disconnected my old alarm system, and now monitor it using Home Assistant, and can trigger various notifications (lights, horn, etc) using smart switches flashed with tasmota!

This product is a fully assembled PCB including headers for up to 12 inputs, and a single 100mA fuse. If you want to build your own, check out the source on github!

Flashing

If you order the flashed version, it will be flashed with esphome using the fallback captive portal. If you fail to update your esphome configuration accordingly with your WiFi for any future flashes, you might lock yourself out of the device, and require programming tools to reflash it with esphome.

Power

It is meant to be powered by 10-16VAC, a common supply voltage for alarm systems in North America. The current draw should be only 10-30mA. It could also be powered off DC, probably starting around 7 volts. Still to be tested.

(You might also get away with 24VAC but it has not been tested yet)

Inputs

The unit will work with any input that works in a similar manner to a contact switch or relay - completing and breaking the circuit to indicate a status change. Sensors that send voltage are not supported. Standard door and window sensors work in this manner. If there are other active sensors that need power (eg. break glass sensor, motion sensor), and operate in this manner, then they should work as well. (You will need to get power to these sensors independently of the board)

The output current for sensors is limited to a few milliamps.

Mounting

Mounting hardware is not included. The holes are sized for M3. There is no hardware on the back of the board, so as long as adequate electrical insulation is provided, double-sided foam tape could be used.

Design

If you have additional features you would like to see on the board, please let me know. Please remember, more features, more parts, more cost :)

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Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (4.00)

Shipping: (5.00)

Communication: (5.00)

Jarad | July 29, 2020

Pick Three: Simple, Inexpensive, Easy to Use

This board is about as simple as it gets: ESP32 strapped to an AC-DC converter and some terminal strips. And that's exactly I wanted. The developer has done a great job of communicating quickly and clearly, is open to suggestions, and seems to have a real passion for his projects. The documentation is a little sparse, but I expect it's because the developer has a target audience in mind that knows how to read schematics, PCB layouts, program an ESP32 and use ESPHome.

I recommend this board to anyone who has used ESP32 before and has some basic electronics knowledge.

How could this board be better? I've discussed a few of these with the developer:
- Power input modules, instead of fixed. Modules should support 16-24VAC like most alarm systems use, but also have a 12VDC option. Possibly even a battery backup module.
- Power output modules for accessories: Since this product is intended to replace the brains of a security system, it should have power output available for accessories. In my system, that's 12VDC.
- u.Fl connector for external antenna. Many security system enclosures are made of steel. It would be better to be able to position the antenna for the ESP32 outside of the enclosure in those instances.
- Power indicator LED. I was left wondering many times, after applying power, whether the thing was on. Just something small and not very bright is fine.

All that being said, the items above are more of a wishlist, rather than a requirement. The board, as it stands, works well for my purposes.

Thank you for making this!