ESP8266 DIY Sensible Socket – HARDWARE (2/3)

I had little or no use for a one more charger in my family. I reviewed it on my web site, and I feel I reached the tipping level for the chargers. The AUKEY charger introduced some distinctive alternatives which I’m going to make the most of on this construct. When you’ve got not seen the showcase – test it out first to see what’s the DIY Sensible Socket able to. And earlier than you ask, why don’t I simply use sonoff change, let’s simply say, we’re right here to make, be taught issues, and have some enjoyable.

With that scary warning apart, we going to hack the AUKEY charger and ESP8266 right into a DIY Sensible Socket.

DIY Sensible Socket – Tutorial

The British plug design comes with excessive security at the price of dimension. You can match an elephant inside. And that elephant goes to be an ESP8266 or the circuit as I made a decision to maintain the ESP8266 outdoors for the leisure functions. (and since it was simpler this manner).

For this tutorial I’m going to make use of the next objects:

• AUKEY pass-through UK charger with 4 USB (AmazonUK/AmazonUS)
• ESP8266-01 x1 (AliExpress/BangGood)
• 5V to three.3V step-down module  (AliExpress)
• Strong state 2A relay (AliExpress)
• a refurbished socket (feminine) – damaged worldwide adapter
• skinny phone wires, and electrical twine strand for prime voltage
• a feminine header for pins 2×4

AUKEY charger design

To grasp this hack, now we have to grasp how the charger works. The charger is a single PCB design that accommodates a voltage converter/charger that provides 6A of present throughout 4 USB-A ports. The charger is powered up consistently.

The plug is linked instantly inside to the socket. This implies when a plug is plugged in, it touches the contacts which are related to mains. I’ve separate the circuit to introduce the relay.

There’s sufficient area inside to make it occur, plus the plug design inside makes it pretty secure to take action. We are able to additionally draw 5V from the USB to energy up our ESP8266.

The DIY Sensible Socket circuit

I stored the design circuit to absolutely the minimal. We now have a restricted area to work with. The design is straightforward however practical. The strong state relay permits us to change as much as 2A present, which equals to about 400W.

Happily, the relay will be pushed instantly from the ESP8266, despite the fact that 5V is suggested.  It labored flawlessly in my testing stage. It’s price noting that this relay makes use of AC present to disengage. It’s not designed to change the DC (it’s latching).

Right here is the sketch:

DIY Sensible Socket – hacks inside

It’s a bit fiddly to play contained in the socket, because the mains wires are quick. Be happy to desolder the wires if this makes it simpler for you. The very first thing to do on the agenda is to take away the items of steel which maintain a plug which might be plugged into the charger. I would like a secure area between a stay wire and the relay pushed facet.

I repurposed an outdated journey converter, took it aside and bent the piece of metal to an accurate dimension and size then a soldered an extension (thick) wire which might deal with 2A present at 220V. Subsequent, I slotted that into the socket. I folded some electrical tape a number of occasions and pushed it in between the unique prong and the brand new U formed piece of steel.

Subsequent up, is the strong state relay, I would like two skinny wires for connection to ESP8266 and two thicker wires that can connect with 220V and the newly created U bend.

I reduce a small gap within the case, so I may match the two×4 feminine headers. I can take away the ESP8266 at any time. I soldered the skinny phone wires into the socket, then wired it to the 5V to3.3.V module. Lastly, I appreciated all of it with the strong state relay.

After jiffy of probing with a multimeter, I came upon the place are the 5V pins the AUKEY charger’s PCB, and that every one GDN pins are related collectively. I’ve added 2 skinny cables to attract the facility instantly from the pins and separated the cables and PCB with a chunk {of electrical} tape for additional security.

I’ve examined the socket with the multimeter to ensure I’ve no shorts, then I wrapped the voltage converter in some extra tapes for security. I’ve tried to maintain new wires as remoted as attainable to stop attainable shorts. It’s a prototype, I’d wish to put the increase converter and socket onto a small customized PCB in a while, however for now – that can do!

The enclosure was glued up collectively, however I knew I’ve to take issues aside later to take the photographs for this tutorial I used some rubber bands to maintain issues collectively till photos are taken. I’ll seal this with glue later.

DIY Sensible Socket  and Software program

Check out the ESP8266 adapter I made, it makes the programming ESP-01s a lot simpler and faster! Within the final half, I’ll give attention to the software program and setting the ESP8266 DIY Sensible Socket with Tasker, schedules and sensible audio system like Alexa or Google Dwelling.