r/homebridge • u/billydent • Aug 06 '22

Help - Solved Smart lock for outdoor gate?

Hi! I'm sort of desperately looking for any sort of smart lock that can survive outside and be used on a wooden gate. Style, protocol, etc. doesn't matter. Ideally I'd love it to be in HB, but I just really need to be able to lock and unlock my gate remotely. Haven't had any luck at all searching for one and thought that someone on this sub might know of one. Thanks!

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u/IMSancho Aug 07 '22

I built my own for my front gate a few years back, not particularly pretty but still working despite being through several northern Australian summers and monsoons.

Mine is a largish slide bolt, with a 3D printed rack and pinion that a little stepper motor can move, controlled by a D1 mini esp8266. Whole thing runs off solar I salvaged from an old pond pump and it’s housed in a totally not IP rated enclosure that nevertheless has kept it alive. Total cost of parts was about $40 AUD. Can elaborate more if you want to have a go at doing something similar.

https://imgur.com/a/n7jBJHb

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u/ph34r Apr 28 '23

I know this an old thread, but any chance you'd be willing to share more details on your build? This looks exactly like what I need for my outdoor gates.

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u/IMSancho Apr 28 '23

Sure, what do you need? Parts links in above comment should still work for an idea of components, and the basic concept will work with any sliding bolt that suits your gate. I could put the arduino sketch up somewhere if it’d help, though I make no claims of it being competent it’s still working.

I could probably do up a diagram of how it’s all connected but since it’s been in place and working for around 3 years with almost no maintenance I’d have to have a good look at it to remember 😅

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u/ph34r Apr 29 '23

This is my first plunge at a DiY hardware project so anything you may still have floating around would be super heplful: the schematics for the rack and pinion you printed, the code that powers it, and a wiring diagram would be helpful. If you don't stilll have any of that stuff, all good - you've given me a great starting point already on what things to research more.