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Castle Black Β· ESP8266

Your wired alarm sensors, now in Apple Home.

Wired motion sensors, door contacts or smoke detectors? Castle Black brings them into the Home app. You get a notification the moment something happens, and an automation can turn on the lights or a siren.

Board: NodeMCU LoLin V38 zones10 creditsFree demo
Open the ESP8266 flasher β†—Maker Credits

Try it free first. Castle Black starts in demo mode by itself after setup – usually for 10 to 20 on/off changes, depending on the device. Like it? Then buy Maker Credits.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Castle Black Home Β· now Zone 3 Motion detected Hallway lights turned on

What it can do

  • 8 zones – one per input. Put several sensors of the same type on one zone, for example all hallway motion sensors on zone 1.
  • Sensor types: motion, smoke / gas, water leak, door / window, doorbell, scene button, arm / disarm.
  • Instant alerts on your iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
  • Automations: when the alarm triggers, turn on the lights or a siren.
  • Works locally – no cloud needed for Apple Home.

No hardware is shipped. You buy the board in your own country, install our free firmware from Chrome or Edge, and switch it on with Maker Credits.

Castle Black alarm alerts in the Apple Home app

Hardware

What you need

NodeMCU LoLin V3 (ESP8266)NodeMCU LoLin V3 (ESP8266)The board that runs Castle Black – the version with the CH340G USB chip.
NodeMCU Base Ver 1.0NodeMCU Base Ver 1.0The NodeMCU plugs into it. Pin headers for every input and a DC power jack.
Your wired sensorsYour wired sensorsAny sensor with a dry-contact output (3.6–30 V DC).
  • No dry contact on a sensor? Put a small 5 / 12 / 24 V relay in between and use its NO or NC contact.
  • Power: a 5 V USB charger or power bank with at least 1 A, or a 12 V adapter in the base board's DC jack. A power bank keeps the alarm running in a power cut.
  • 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, the Home app, and an Apple TV or HomePod as home hub.
  • 10 Maker Credits.

Wiring

Which pin for which sensor?

Check this before you wire. Each sensor has 2 wires: one to its pin, one to GND.

  • D1, D2, D5, D6, D7, RX – every sensor type.
  • D4 and TX – only motion, smoke / leak and doorbell. These pins must be free when the board starts, so never use them for a door contact or a switch that stays closed.
  • D0, D3, D8 – never use.

A sensor reads the wrong way round? Turn on reversed pin for it in the settings – no rewiring needed.

ESP8266 USB D0never useD1every sensor typeD2every sensor typeD3never useD4motion, smoke / leak, doorbell3V3GNDsecond wire of each sensorD5every sensor typeD6every sensor typeD7every sensor typeD8never useRXevery sensor typeTXmotion, smoke / leak, doorbellGNDsecond wire of each sensor3V3 Every sensor type Motion, smoke / leak, doorbell Never use GND – second wire

Setup

Set it up in 4 steps

Do the whole setup on your desk first, then install it on the wall.

  1. Install the firmware. Plug the NodeMCU into your computer and open the ESP8266 flasher in Chrome or Edge. Click Connect, then Install.
  2. Connect it to Wi-Fi. The board makes a Wi-Fi network called HomeHome-XXXXXX (password homehome). Join it from your phone. Choose the device type Wired Sensor Bridge, type your Gmail address, then your home Wi-Fi and its password.
  3. Add your sensors. Type the board's IP address into a browser – you find it in your router's device list – and log in with your Gmail address. Add all sensors at once, same types next to each other: Motion, Motion, Smoke, Smoke – not Motion, Smoke, Motion.
  4. Add it to Apple Home. After the board restarts, open the Home app within 90 seconds, tap + and enter 111-88-111.

Free demo: after setup Castle Black runs in demo mode by itself, so you can test it before you buy. The demo usually ends after 10 to 20 on/off changes. When you have bought Maker Credits and we have added them to your Gmail account, restart the device and it keeps working.

Activate: Castle Black uses 10 Maker Credits – USD 5.00 a month. Write your Gmail address in the order note (or email info@homehome.app); we add the credits and the alarm keeps working. See your devices at smart.homehome.app. How Maker Credits work β†’

Good to know

Rules and tips

Can I add a sensor later?
Adding a sensor later means setting up all sensors again – so plan them all first.
Do scene buttons work in automations?
Only scene buttons 1 and 2 work in Apple Home automations (single and double press).
Where is the doorbell in the Home app?
The doorbell is not shown as a tile, but you still get a notification when it rings.
"Setup code incorrect"
Unplug the board, plug it in again and try within 90 seconds.
How do I keep it running 24/7?
Keep the board and your router on a power bank or UPS.
Is there a longer guide?

Planning your zones? Ask us first.

Send us a WhatsApp message. Email: info@homehome.app.

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