Hello everyone! I wanted to share my recent project where I created a security panel using an Arduino microcontroller. It was a fun challenge and a great way to dive into coding plugins for Vera. Here’s how it all came together.
I had some old wiring from my previous security system, so I decided to repurpose it. The goal was to create a plugin that could handle multiple sensors and provide real-time feedback. The plugin I developed expects serial input terminated with a carriage return and line feed. It creates a parent device with child devices based on the number of zones, which can be adjusted under the parent device settings.
The child devices can be set as four different types: Door Sensor, Motion Sensor, Smoke Sensor, and Temperature Sensor. Each type has its own configuration options. For example, Door, Motion, and Smoke Sensors allow users to customize the strings that trigger or clear the alarm. Temperature sensors expect serial input in a specific format, making it easy to integrate with various sensors.
I borrowed some code examples from other community members, which really helped me get started. I’m running this on a Vera3 with UI5 version 1.5.408, and it’s been working smoothly. I’d love to hear any suggestions for improvements or experiences others have had with similar projects!
It’s amazing how a little coding and some DIY work can transform old hardware into something functional and useful. I hope this inspires others to explore their own Arduino projects!