Dispatch
NodeMCU Relay Switch & Roller Shutter for Apple Home
A NodeMCU ESP8266 board on a base board, plus a 2- or 4-channel relay module. With HomeHome.App firmware it becomes a smart switch for Apple Home, Google Home and the HomeHome.App web interface. No extra hub is needed.
It works in two modes:
On/off switch β control lights or sockets with 1, 2 or 4 relays.
Roller shutter β control one shutter, blind or curtain motor with relays 1 and 2 (up / down).
How many Maker Credits?
1-channel on/off: 1 credit
2-channel on/off: 2 credits
4-channel on/off: 4 credits
Roller shutter (2 relays): 3 credits
One device controls one roller shutter, even with a 4-channel board. Examples:
1 roller shutter β 1 device with 2 relays
2 roller shutters β 2 devices with 2 relays
4 lights β 1 device with 4 relays
1 roller shutter + 2 lights β 1 device for the shutter + 1 device with 2 relays for the lights
What you need
NodeMCU LoLin V3 (ESP8266) and a NodeMCU base board
A 2- or 4-channel 5 V relay module and Dupont cables
Power: a 5 V micro USB charger, or a 12 V 1 A adapter on the base board's DC jack
Your own wall switches or push buttons (optional)
The relays are dry contacts for up to 250 V AC / 30 V DC. Mains voltage is dangerous β let an electrician connect the 230 V wires.
Wiring
Relay module: VIN β VCC, GND β GND, JD-VCC jumper on.
On/off with 4 relays
Relays: D1 β IN1, D2 β IN2, D5 β IN3, D6 β IN4
Buttons: D7 β button 1, RX β button 2, TX β button 3, D4 β button 4
Reset button: D0. LED: D4 (leave it empty if D4 is used for a button)
Roller shutter or 2 relays
Relays: D1 β IN1, D2 β IN2
Buttons: D6 β button 1, D7 β button 2
Reset button: D0. LED: D4
A light goes on the relay's COM and NO terminals, so it turns on when the relay turns on.
Setup
Flash the firmware with Chrome or Edge over USB: ESP8266 flasher.
Wi-Fi setup. Power the board and join the Wi-Fi network HomeHome-XXXXXX (password: homehome) from your phone. The setup page opens by itself; if not, reconnect. Choose the device type β Custom On-Off Setting (1, 2 or 4 relays) or Custom Shutter Setting (roller shutter) β and the switch type (momentary or toggle, to match your wall switches). Enter your Gmail address, an optional static IP, and your home Wi-Fi and its password. Save, wait 3 seconds, then unplug and plug in the board.
Apple Home. Within 90 seconds after the restart, add the accessory in the Home app with the code 111-88-111. Wait one minute after pairing.
Google Home (optional). In Google Home: + β Set up device β Works with Google β HomeHome, and log in with the same Gmail address.
Web interface (optional). Sign in at smart.homehome.app with the same Gmail address and activate your device ID under Manage.
Activate with Maker Credits. Your credits are linked to your Gmail address: write it in the order note or email info@homehome.app.
Not using Apple Home? Wait about 3 minutes, open the device page and turn on Skip HomeKit Pair Standby Time in Settings.
The device page
Type the board's IP address into a browser and log in with your full Gmail address. You find the IP in the Home app (long-press the accessory β settings) or in your router's device list.
Turn Back β return to the last position after a power cut.
Auto Turn Off β switch relay 1 off by itself after 1 second to 18 hours.
Local Mode β keep working without internet (Apple Home and the device page only).
Rename the device, turn the device page off, and get updates over the air.
Apple Home and the device page work without internet. Google Home and the web interface need internet.
For developers: HTTP commands
Relay 1 on:
<device-ip>/1/on?<gmail-name>Relay 1 off:
<device-ip>/1/off?<gmail-name>All states:
<device-ip>/all?<gmail-name>β for example [0,1,2,2] (0 = off, 1 = on, 2 = not used)
Use your Gmail name without "@gmail.com".
Help
WhatsApp +44 7367 846094 β call or send a message. Email info@homehome.app.
More to read
Keep reading. The bench is still warm.
More notes on flashing, wiring and what we learned the slow way.
Firmware downloads
Wired Sensor Bridge (Castle Black) β 8 wired zones in Apple Home
On the desk
Your board is waiting for its firmware.
Pick one, plug in over USB, and try it tonight.
Maker Credit β Yearly
Maker Credit β Monthly
Read it
Flash it
Try it
Keep it local