{"id":2199,"date":"2016-02-15T15:39:25","date_gmt":"2016-02-15T22:39:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.circuitspecialists.com\/blog\/?p=2199"},"modified":"2017-01-06T15:13:44","modified_gmt":"2017-01-06T22:13:44","slug":"diy-smartphone-garage-opener-with-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.circuitspecialists.com\/blog\/diy-smartphone-garage-opener-with-status\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY: Smartphone Garage Opener w\/ Status Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"

DIY: Smartphone Garage Opener w\/ Status Updates<\/h1>\n

The Internet of Things, or IoT, is one of the biggest buzz words in new technology today. \u00a0Although IoT technologies are growing fast, most commercially available systems are still too expensive for the average consumer. \u00a0For example, a Nest thermostat will costs upwards of $200, and a robust Wifi garage door opener will\u00a0run\u00a0you a solid\u00a0$130.<\/p>\n

As of 2015, \u00a0estimates indicate there were about\u00a03 million smart thermostats in US households, which makes\u00a0up less than 3% of households. In order to make IoT more accessible, a number of DIYers have developed simple applications for\u00a0connected devices.<\/p>\n

In this blog post we are going to show you our original approach to building a simple, versatile, Particle Photon powered smartphone\u00a0garage door opener\u00a0–\u00a0Complete with status updates (Open\/Closed) using free web-based cloud services that can\u00a0trigger a text or email if the garage is opened (or if the garage is left open for an extended period of time).<\/p>\n

We would rate this DIY project as \u2018medium\u2019 with some electronics & coding experience needed. To make things simple, we’ve put together an IoT\u00a0wifi garage opener kit<\/a>\u00a0to get you started.<\/p>\n

What you\u2019ll need to complete this project:<\/p>\n

1 \u00a0–\u00a0Particle Photon<\/a> ($19)
\n2 –\u00a020 ft. 22 AWG solid wire<\/a> ($2)
\n1 –\u00a0Jumper Wire Kit<\/a>\u00a0($4)
\n1 –\u00a0Medium Sized Breadboard<\/a>\u00a0($4)
\n1 –\u00a0Relay R46-5D12-6<\/a> ($5)
\n1 –\u00a0Reed Switch & Magnet\u00a0<\/a>($5)
\n1 –\u00a05V Micro USB Cable<\/a> & Wall Adapter<\/a> ($4)
\nor – 5V Wall Power Supply<\/a> ($9)
\n1 – NPN transistor – 2N2222A<\/a>\u00a0($1.70)<\/p>\n

1 – 100 Ohm<\/a> 1\/4 Watt Resistor – RA100 ($0.10)<\/p>\n

1- 220 Ohm<\/a> 1\/4 Watt Resistor – RA220 (RA220)<\/p>\n

2 LED’S<\/a> – ($1.65 for 100 pc.)<\/p>\n

Various Mounting Hardware, Depending on application (screws\/nails\/electrical tape) ($1)<\/p>\n

The software and applications you\u2019ll use for this project are:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Particle (iOS or Android App) for entering your home Wifi credentials on the Particle Photon Wifi controller
\n\u2022 Build.particle.io<\/a> \u2013 web based software interface for the Particle Photon for loading software
\n\u2022 Blynk (iOS or Android App) \u2013 smart phone app with GUI interface for opening\/closing garage
\n\u2022 IFTTT \u2013 web based service for triggering text\/email status notifications<\/p>\n

Step 1: Wifi Controlled Garage Opener via Phone App<\/strong><\/p>\n

Begin by unpacking and getting familiar with all your items. First you\u2019ll need to install the Particle & Blink apps on your smartphone. Once these are installed you should power up your Particle Photon by plugging it into your computer\u2019s USB or the wall with your USB adapter. Once powered on you can create an account with Particle and connect to it using their very handy setup guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve connected to your Particle Photon you can go to Particle’s cloud based programming platform<\/a> and log into your Particle account.<\/p>\n

Click on the CREATE NEW APP button on the left hand side (you may have to click the to expand that column) then copy paste the code from the text file here\u00a0PhotonGarageOpener<\/a><\/p>\n

This program was set up to send a text notifying the user if the garage was left open for ten minutes, and to send a text every ten minutes following.<\/p>\n

Name your app Garage and save it. You will need to also add the Blynk library to your program by clicking the bookmark symbol on the left for Libraries, select the Blynk library, click INCLUDE IN APP and select your app named Garage from the list. Save your program.<\/p>\n

Next open your Blynk App, create an account, and click Create New Project, name it Garage. Once this is created email the auth key to yourself and replace the auth code with the text on line 5 of the Particle code where it says ENTER YOUR BLYNK AUTH CODE HERE, keeping the quotation marks. Flash the code to your Particle Photon by clicking the lightning bolt, it should now flash purple slowly.<\/p>\n

Return to your Blynk App (which you can download from the Apple App store or Google Play). \u00a0Select hardware “Particle Photon” and click “Create Project”. Select anywhere on the screen and it will bring up available GUI buttons, sliders etc.<\/p>\n

Select “Button”. Once it appears on the screen on the top left select it to open it for editing. You can rename it and change the color at the top. Then select PIN and assign it to D0, where you will connect the relay.<\/p>\n

Click OK on the top right. Click the play button on the top right. Your Blynk program is now complete (your Particle should now be online)!<\/p>\n

Next you will disconnect power to your Photon and place it onto your breadboard wire it with the relays, resistor, and reed switch according to the Fritzing diagram and image below<\/p>\n

.<\/a><\/p>\n

A more reliable power source would be a mini usb cable and usb to wall adapter. \u00a0The batteries likely won’t last long and you may lock yourself out of your garage!<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Here is the wiring diagram. (NPN Wiring. Pin 1: Emitter to Ground\u00a0Pin 2: Base to 100 Ohm Resistor Pin 3: Collector to Relay coil<\/p>\n

You must wire in your relays in parallel with your garage\u2019s push button. WARNING: Disconnect the power to your garage opener first!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once it is wired according to the circuit diagram and in parallel with your garage door button your push button switch on your smartphone will control the garage just as your wall switch does.\u00a0 Bring power back to the garage door opener and to your Photon and test.<\/p>\n

Step 2: Status updates<\/strong><\/p>\n

In order to receive status updates via text or email all you need to do is to log onto IFTTT and setup an account.\u00a0 Find the Particle app and the SMS apps by searching then you can create a new IF PARTICLE THEN SMS application.<\/p>\n

\"IFTTT<\/a><\/p>\n

You will include the statement \u201cIf garage published garageStatus, then send me an SMS at 5558675309\u201d after linking your mobile phone to the SMS application.\u00a0 Once this is saved you and your reed switch is connected you will begin receiving notifications.<\/p>\n

You could modify this application to for many other applications in your home\u00a0in order\u00a0to control your other electrical appliances. \u00a0Don’t forget to\u00a0use a licensed electrician to help you install the relay on any high voltage equipment. \u00a0We hope you found this informative and enjoy tinkering!<\/p>\n

Please like us on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a> to receive future updates.<\/p>\n