In this instructable, I will take you along on my journey of building this WiFi Outlet.
Step 1: Parts
The final box will contain:
- ESP8266 (any version will do)
- 5V Relay Module
- AMS1117 Low Drop Out Regulator
- 1K Resistor
- Duplex Outlet
- Wall Box
- Wall Plate
- Cellphone Charger (5V output)
- Power Cord
Only needed while programming the ESP8266:
- FTDI Usb to Serial Converter (3.3V version)
- Some jumper wires
Step 2: WARNING!!!
High voltage definitely would hurt you and potentially could kill you! So please be careful. If you don’t know what precautions to take, please find someone who does. You’ve been warned.
Edit: fellow instructable brought up a good point. Thanks Spark Master!
“I would mention you will probably void any Home Owners Insurance you have if you do this in NYC. Ask the electrical inspectors listed in the phone book for your area.”
Step 3: Charger Surgery
I considered just soldering wires to the mains input and use a USB cable for the output. However, in the end I decided to keep all the high voltage inside the charger. A gentle pry with a box cutter popped it open.
I replaced the input wire with a slightly longer wire.
I also removed the USB connector because plugging in a USB cable would have taken more room.
I then put everything back into its original container.
Step 4: High Voltage Wiring
I recycled a computer power cable for this project.
Obviously, we want the relay to switch the live wire instead of the neutral.
I opted to break one of the tabs that joins the two outlets. This allowed me to wire up one of the outlets to be always on, while the other outlet is switched by the relay.
Step 5: ESP8266 & Relay Wiring
he wiring is fairly simple, so I opted to solder everything right around the ESP8266 instead of creating a custom PCB.
You could pretty much use any ESP model. I ended up using an ESP12.
The pushbutton switches and USB to Serial module are only necessary to program the ESP. That’s the reason for the “header pins” on the ESP:
- Ground
- RX
- TX
- GPIO0 (bring to ground at power up to put ESP in program mode)
- Reset (optional)
Read more: DIY WiFi Outlet using ESP8266
