ESP8266 Community Forum

Hi all,

I bought these EtekCity remote controlled (433Mhz) sockets. I wanted to rip out the 433Mhz reciever and put in an ESP-01 in there. I have a little problem in powering the ESP-01. The 433Mhz receiver and the original microcontroller are powered by a 78L05, which maxes out at 100mA. I tried connected an AMS1117 after it to power the ESP-01, but of course, the 78L05 cannot provide enough current.

I have unregulated 8V at the input of the 7805, but the AMS1117 can only accept 5V. Any ideas to get around this problem?

[EDIT] My bad, the AMS1117 can actually accept intup upto 12V, so I tried bypassing the 78L05 but shorting the input and output. Same problem, the ESP-01 powers up fine when I provide 5V with a battery (power bank). When I use the bridge rectifier on the socket, without the ESP-01, the AMS1117 produces 3.3V just fine. The moment I connect the ESP-01 the output voltage drops down to 1.7V. Tried adding some bug capacitors on input and output, doesnt help. Any idea?





My last option is to rip out everything and just put a NodeMCU board on there with a Relay board along with a USB phone charger circuit.

Why not try the method I used. I bought loads of 433mhz sockets. I then knocked up an ESP8266-12 with a RF Tx 433 module, hacked the codes and use one ESP to control all the different sockets scattered around my house. I have even pushed this further and fitted an IR vishay module and now have the flexibility of not only wifi control but can control via my Samsung tv remote using the spare buttons at the bottom of the handset.

Would be much easier than ripping every socket apart and fitting an ESP.

Regards

Dans

Using this thing without its enclosure is seriously dangerous!
Any part of this circuit will have potentially lethal voltage relative to earth ground!

Judging by the pictures you posted, this switch is using a capacitive power supply, there is no isolation from mains voltage. The input capacitor will limit the maximum current you can draw and in this case it's probably designed to deliver only a few mA.

I would seriously advise to go with danbicks's suggestion and control the sockets with a 433MHz transmitter or by hacking the remote.

It's no way to obtain enough power from that transformeless Capacitive power supply to run reliable a ESP8266 module. You have at output there probably max 10-20mA!

The right direction to look is to add a 433Mhz transmitter/receiver to your ESP8266 board + decode the 433 Mhz communication protocol and create some sort of "Radio gateway" with it, from where you can command different 433Mhz receivers.

I've used ELRO Power switches for such a job, and they are working OK with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP8266, etc.

Have even connected with ESP8266, thru 433Mhz, more fancy stuff like this Weather station

Update: "lethe" was writting almost the same as me in the same time, so ...please compile both posts and please..believe him..it's dangerous !


AND offcourse, if you want to get rid of everyting , you can use a MAINS Power Switch, with Triac as in the link, or with a Relay, your choice.

But again: You will play with LIVE MAINS!! Deadly zone!! . Be sure that you have the right tools and knowledge for something like that.