Hey everyone, I’m thrilled to share my latest DIY project with you! I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of integrating technology with everyday objects, and this project really scratched that itch for me. Let me walk you through how I transformed an old WEMOS D1 board into a smart hamster wheel monitor using openHAB. 
### The IdeaI’ve had a hamster for a while now, and while they’re adorable, they can be quite active at night. I wanted a way to monitor their activity without disturbing them. Enter the hamster wheel! By attaching a reed sensor and a magnet to the wheel, I could track how much my little friend was running. Plus, integrating this with openHAB meant I could visualize the data on my dashboard. Sounds fun, right? 
### The Setup1. Hardware Prep: I started by attaching two magnets to the back of the hamster wheel. This was a bit tricky because I didn’t want them to interfere with the cage. After some sanding, they were secure. 
2. Electronics: I soldered a 10k resistor and a reed switch onto the WEMOS D1 board. The reed switch would detect when the magnet passed by, signaling that the wheel was moving. 
3. Coding: I used a modified version of the code from Dage Kimber’s GitHub repository. It was a bit of a learning curve, but I managed to get it working with my setup. The code sends data to an MQTT broker, which openHAB then picks up. 
4. openHAB Configuration: I set up items, rules, and persistence strategies to track the hamster’s activity. The dashboard now shows real-time speed, distance, and even daily averages. 
### The Challenges- Sensor Sensitivity: Initially, the sensor was too sensitive, causing false readings. I had to adjust the placement of the magnets and reed switch to get accurate data.- Firmware Compatibility: The WEMOS D1 board required some tweaking to work seamlessly with openHAB. Thankfully, the community forums were a huge help! 
### The ResultsSeeing the data flow into openHAB was incredibly satisfying. My hamster’s activity is now a fun little widget on my dashboard, and it’s been a great way to keep track of their health and energy levels. Plus, it’s a cool conversation starter when friends come over! 
### Tips for DIY Enthusiasts- Start Small: If you’re new to DIY projects, start with something simple like this. It builds confidence and skills.- Leverage Community Resources: Don’t hesitate to look up tutorials or ask for help in forums. The smart home community is super supportive.- Experiment: Don’t be afraid to tweak your setup. Trial and error are part of the fun! 
Would love to hear about your DIY projects or any clever ways you’ve integrated technology into your home. Let’s keep the creativity flowing! 