My web-based garage door opener (looking for feedback) [w/Pics!] (Now Installed) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: tineras
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 10:07:21 pm
content: Hey guys! I'm looking to get some feedback on my garage door opener project. It's my first start-to-finish project. First and foremost, I made this project to get some experience and force myself to stop making excuses for not completing projects. I also wanted to get experience designing a pcb. It's been over 4 years since my previous custom pcb (which was also my first... and was just awful!).Summary:I was tired of driving away from my house wondering whether or not I remembered to close the garage door. So I wanted to be able to monitor the state from my cell phone via a self-hosted web application. And if necessary, open/close it from that same web app. It's also useful for letting family members and guests into the house when we're away. One unit will be directly connected to the garage door using a relay to "press" the button and a proximity sensor to sense the opened/closed state. The other unit is directly connected to my web server pc which hosts the web server and the application that interfaces with it via websockets.PICTURES:https://plus.google.com/photos/102677756008875158290/albums/5826733449857027505?banner=pwa&authkey=CLfO3Ib_0_O9XAI wanted to make use of the two wireless modems (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/155) from Sparkfun that I had sitting around for years unused. Otherwise, I would have chosen something less expensive and bulky.I have already learned quite a few lessons throughout this process, but I'd love to hear what you guys have to say. Thanks for the feedback!EDIT: I am waiting on a replacement proximity sensor (mine broke). Otherwise, I would have already connected it. I'm having a few issues, but I have some more troubleshooting to do before I starting asking for advice.

author: MikeK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 10:09:32 pm
content: I bought a new opener recently and saw that this is now a offered feature of some openers.

author: tineras
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 10:19:42 pm
content: Quote from: MikeK on December 27, 2012, 10:09:32 pmI believe third parties have been doing this for a while and it seems like a no brainer to me for garage door companies to start including this as a feature considering all the home automation products that are emerging. Though I'd imagine getting the security part right would be of utmost importance.

author: somlioy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 10:21:20 pm
content: Nice board. What manufacturer did you use?

author: tineras
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 10:24:44 pm
content: Quote from: somlioy on December 27, 2012, 10:21:20 pmSunstone Value Proto, $50 for two 2"x2" boards.https://www.sunstone.com/quotevalueproto.aspxIt was inexpensive (compared to some other popular sites) and they shipped much sooner than stated on their site. I am very happy with the boards, but did have a short between the ground plane and one of the pads of the relay (which kept killing my test LEDs and resetting my board). But I cut through it and all is well now.

author: tineras
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2012, 09:56:42 pm
content: I have installed this and added a few pictures to the web album. I am still looking for feedback if anyone has any. Good, bad or ugly... I'll take anything. I just want to be a better designer and know there are plenty on here who have a lot of experience.Thanks!!

author: jancumps
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 30, 2012, 11:25:37 pm
content: Quote from: tineras on December 27, 2012, 10:19:42 pmYes. It feels hackeable. What security measures did you take, appart from the Magic Phrase?

author: thmjpr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2012, 03:17:32 am
content: Looks good.Comments:- Add 0.1uF decoupling cap close to the PIC (pin 20).- CPC1006N should have a series resistor to limit current.- Designators for IC's and some other parts are missing. You've used descriptive names for connectors, which is nice, but traditionally there is a unique designator (J1) and description can be added if necessary ("5V In"). I don't use Eagle, but it should be possible to link an additional text field from the schematic to the PCB.

author: tineras
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2012, 06:01:48 am
content: Quote from: thmjpr on December 31, 2012, 03:17:32 amExcellent! Thank you for the feedback. I will definitely consider these things on my next project. And I was literally talking with someone tonight about the need for current limiting resistors for relays (bad on me for not including one). And whether or not they were needed on a board he was doing firmware for. It was drawing some serious current and I think that was to blame. There were 16 of them tied directly to the 5V rail and his 1.5A power supply couldn't keep up. I guess they'll be doing a board redesign.Thanks again!