I really want to setup a Arduino home automation system I haven't seen anyone make yet, but I think it is could be a really nice setup. My only problem is that am am not good at programming and don't have time to learn the whole coding process... So if anyone have any thoughts or inputs I would really appreciate it.
Also some help with coding would bee nice
So my idea is:
To have one primary Arduino(say an Arduino Uno or Mega) connected to internet via ethernet to control the WiFi modules
Several standalone ESP8266 ESP-03 WiFi modules to control relays and other stuff
So instead of having wires all over the place simply use WiFi to control the relays. The ESP8266 ESP-03 is connected to WiFi with a static IP address. The Arduino Uno/Mega is running a web server with Buttons to control the WiFi modules.
On a "normal" Arduino controlled relay you set pins to turn on/off the relay, but instead of the pins I want to send a command to the corresponding WiFi module via the GUI on the Arduino Uno/Mega to turn on/off the relay. Because the ESP8266 ESP-03 have 7 gpio's I think this could work.
I'd suggest building something that's compatible with one of the existing home automation standards.[u]X-10[/u] has been around for something like 30 or 40 years, and it still may be the most popular. As far as I can tell none of the standards really dominate, but X-10, Z-wave, and Zigbee seem to be the most popular. I'm surprised that Wi-Fi hasn't taken-over the market, but so far it hasn't. You can find a few Wi-Fi controlled switches.
If you build something to industry standards, it will be easier to maintain and upgrade your system. If I want to add an X-10 controlled light, I can just buy an X-10 dimmer switch... If I had to build it, who knows how long it would take.
I didn't build any of the stuff myself, but I've got a combination X-10 and Insteon setup (Insteon is compatible with X-10). I had an Insteon controller but it became obsolete when the software to program it wouldn't run on Win7. So, I'm back to an X-10 controller. The main controller is a stand-alone timer that you program with the computer, then you can disconnect the computer. I have some hand-held "local" remote controllers, but I don't have the setup for controlling my system over the Net. I've also got a motion sensor programmed to address one of the X-10 controlled lights. (I don't need to control my lights or appliances over the Net.... They are already on timers & motion sensors, etc.)
I have built some things that plug-into X-10 modules. I have a "sunrise dimmer" that fades-on a light over my bed before the alarm goes sounds. Then after the light is fully-on, another home-built box has a special gentle-beeper to wake me up.