Just made my first project with ESP8266 WIFI sensors. I was able to get enough information from internet and YouTube to build two devices. (NO ARDUINO is involved)
The first device is based on ESP8266 and the motion sensor (HC-SR501) total cost less than 4$! This sensor reports to a virtual device in Vera with http requests (5 seconds after its tripped it resets)
The second device is a WIFI server based on ESP8266, it receives request from Vera and turns a light diode on if motion was detected by the other sensor. And it receives http request from Vera to turn it off when the Vera sensor is set to tripped = 0
This video shows my proof of concept ;D (no Arduino Just esp8266 with lua code!)
[url=https://youtu.be/wljlh9MMsXo]ESP8266 + Vera - YouTube
Not sure if you’re still reading this, but would it be possible to post more details of your setup? The video you posted shows something working, but the details of the connection, coding you had to do, etc. are not at all clear. This is a great development and could be very significant with some of the newer ESP8266 devices and I’d really appreciate more detail.
For what it’s worth, I use “https://www.mysensors.org/” with the mysensors plugin. I use an esp8266 (actually, a “wemos D1R2” plus an RF module) as the gateway. Total cost of that was maybe $10 including a case etc. A bit of a learning experience, but not too hard. I order most of the kit from aliexpress. For the remote sensors I use an arduino pro mini plus an rf module, and a couple of AA batteries. For a door sensor I would just use a magnetic contact switch, although recently I also used a tiny “Normally Open Close Limit Switch” to sound an alarm if the freezer door was left open. For a temperature sensor for a fridge/freezer I use a DS18b20. For a general room temperature/humidity sensor I’d use a DHT22 (slightly more accurate than the DHT11). Each sensor, including a case, is normally around the $5 mark. I have no issue with range, but you can get RF modules with a bigger antenna if required. Generally pretty reliable. Batteries last maybe a year after modifying the arduino (basically snipping the light on the board). If placing a sensor near where there is power, or if you’re not comfortable soldering, I’d probably lean towards using an arduino nano or uno and power it via the built in usb port.
Lots of examples at that site to show you how to do it, and give you ideas on what it can be used for - I have a couple of future projects on my list including monitoring the mail box, and monitoring the water levels in my water tanks.
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