I have 2x remotely-operated gates, whose open/close status I want to monitor by placing LED's in my bedroom pelmet, and that will illuminate only when a gate is open.
I could easily wire this up manually, but I want to use this as a beginner-project to ease myself into this smartswitch technology (of which I know FA) and learn how to do this wirelessly.
Although I may want to view the gate status on my cellphone on the odd occasion, I really want to only have to use this on a manual basis most of the time - ie an eyeball glance at the LED's on any regular basis.
If one of the lights is on, then that particular gate is open. If none of the lights are on, then peace in the valley!
Seems a simple enough requirement, but I'm really struggling to get a handle on what to do (and NOT do!).
For a newbie at this smartswitch stuff, the sheer mutiplicity of choices (and the options within those choices) of what's available ... whose system to go with ... and how to tackle such a seemingly simple project ... are bewildering.
I understand I will need a magnetic sensor at each gate.
Then I will need to make a small panel with the indicator lights.
I can supply mains power to the indicator lights. (But could be nicer if can do this with a local battery supply - provided the batteries will last long enough to not be a constant nuisance of having to replenish).
Here's the part I'm not sure of ...
1. How do I get the magnet sensor to tell the led to switch on?
2. The panel will have 2x indicator lights initially. Can I keep adding more lights later?
3. What happens during load-shedding?
4. Can I design around this?
Could I jury-rig an ordinary wireless doorbell to do this sort of thing? (seeing I'm NOT keen on having to look at - or be bothered by consulting my phone all the time).
Basically, I want to use this project as a cheap entry-point into learning this field. And then use that experience to expand elsewhere in my house later.
It seems that Shelly is the cheapest / bestest starting point for a beginner. Yes/No?? Or am I painting myself into a future corner, and there are better choices?
I've obviously tried googling this before coming here, but was surprised by how little clear info was available for the way I want to rig this up.
Would really appreciate some "wise uncle" advice here!
Many thanks!
I could easily wire this up manually, but I want to use this as a beginner-project to ease myself into this smartswitch technology (of which I know FA) and learn how to do this wirelessly.
Although I may want to view the gate status on my cellphone on the odd occasion, I really want to only have to use this on a manual basis most of the time - ie an eyeball glance at the LED's on any regular basis.
If one of the lights is on, then that particular gate is open. If none of the lights are on, then peace in the valley!
Seems a simple enough requirement, but I'm really struggling to get a handle on what to do (and NOT do!).
For a newbie at this smartswitch stuff, the sheer mutiplicity of choices (and the options within those choices) of what's available ... whose system to go with ... and how to tackle such a seemingly simple project ... are bewildering.
I understand I will need a magnetic sensor at each gate.
Then I will need to make a small panel with the indicator lights.
I can supply mains power to the indicator lights. (But could be nicer if can do this with a local battery supply - provided the batteries will last long enough to not be a constant nuisance of having to replenish).
Here's the part I'm not sure of ...
1. How do I get the magnet sensor to tell the led to switch on?
2. The panel will have 2x indicator lights initially. Can I keep adding more lights later?
3. What happens during load-shedding?
4. Can I design around this?
Could I jury-rig an ordinary wireless doorbell to do this sort of thing? (seeing I'm NOT keen on having to look at - or be bothered by consulting my phone all the time).
Basically, I want to use this project as a cheap entry-point into learning this field. And then use that experience to expand elsewhere in my house later.
It seems that Shelly is the cheapest / bestest starting point for a beginner. Yes/No?? Or am I painting myself into a future corner, and there are better choices?
I've obviously tried googling this before coming here, but was surprised by how little clear info was available for the way I want to rig this up.
Would really appreciate some "wise uncle" advice here!
Many thanks!
