I am creating a security system for my flat. I want it to put the "wind" up anyone who enters the flat unauthorized. I want it to sound super sophisticated. I want vocal warnings like:
"Security protocol 1 activated!"
"Security protocol 2 initiated, please leave the flat immediately!"
Etc
As well as big flashy amber "warning"/ and then red "danger" lights lighting up when people move through certain areas (I am using PIR, and proximity sensors). If certain sensors get moved into, more and more security protocols activate, and then super high DB foghorns etc. I want voice warnings, that I can feed through powerful speakers (obviously behind security cages, or else they steal the devices lol).
...which I think may suffice. That one uses a kind of mini SD card. I want at least about 10 or more vocal warnings/ demands to: "exit the flat IMMEDIATELY, or else..." kind of thing. Would that device I linked be sufficient, or are there other solutions? I want it to be able to be activated on command via the Arduino IDE C(++) language.
Oh WOW, that was a super fast response! OK, let me look into that, thanks. Right, that is a single chip. I was maybe thinking that a pre-built micro-controller might be more easier, but I am willing to go for something that I can work around, it might be a great idea.
Record your warning messages on PC/laptop. Then convert them to MP3 and save to micro SD card. Insert SD card into DFplayer mini. Connect DFplayer mini to Arduino and powered speakers...
OK, so we would be using some strip-board type thing? Presuming it would need a little bit of extra components, etc? I have strip (vero)-board I can use. If it does not require too much know-how, I may be able to cope
Oh and also I would be better served I got the 16 pin housing so I can fix that to the board first etc.
You can build the final version on stripboard. But while you are prototyping I would suggest using breadboards. Get a classic Arduino Nano 3. If you need to upgrade that later, you can, but probably won't be necessary. If you run out of input/output pins, you can add I/o extender chips.
That MP3 player IS a pre-built microcontroller, and quite a powerful one. You don't need anything but switches to operate it. However another MCU is useful to read sensors, activate the MP3 player appropriately, send messages elsewhere, etc.
Oh, sweet, I have an RF4 UNO Wifi at present. I think that may be ok, but I have to admit I am feeling like I am running out of GPIOs at this point. I would prefer to see if I can accommodate all of it with what I have now. If not then I will start looking at GPIO extensions.
Sweet? Not really. Uno isn't breadboard or stripboard compatible. It's not completely incompatible with breadboard/stripboard, but it will result in a heck of a mess of a circuit, like a plate of spaghetti.
Yes, or some other breadboard/stripboard compatible form-factor Arduino.
Avoid using Dupont connectors as much as possible, they are unreliable and cause many problems. Where possible, use solid-core wire, cut to length and laid flat to the breadboards. Much more neat, robust and reliable way of building a prototype.
I am interested in knowing what the main issues are regarding the unreliability. I have had to make workarounds to handle certain issues. You will probably be able to explain some issues I have had tbh. Any advice is appreciated. I have used delays for certain issues. They have worked, but I think, if you know these issues, it may help a lot.
For example, I know that someone cannot open a door (with a reed switch attached to it), and close it within 1 second. It is physically impossible. So a delay avoids spikes. As long as you know someone cannot open a door and close it within, for example, 1 second, the delay avoids spikes.
I rent. In UK btw. I cannot set "traps" for example. That would be violation of UK law. I could get prosecuted for that, if it injured someone. It does not matter if they were a burglar, I could still be prosecuted, under UK law.
I have step-up transformer to 5KV, for example. I cannot wire it up to a door handle. I would get done for something like second degree murder probably.
I was talking about the unreliability of a prototype made from Uno, breadboard and Dupont cables.
Dupont cables are notoriously unreliable. Their internal wires are thin and can easily break, especially where they enter the plugs. You can't tell they are broken by looking at them, you have to test them each time you use them.
Because they are long and flexible, using them to connect to the entire circuit results in something that looks like a plate of multi-coloured tangled spaghetti. So difficult to find faults in your circuit, for you or anyone else.
The whole thing is fragile because the breadboard and Uno are held together only by all those tangled cables. If you move them, even gently, probably one or more wires will wriggle free and become disconnected. Then you have to find them and figure out where they were supposed to be connected to.
Using a breadboard-compatible Arduino and solid wires on the breadboard makes the whole thing more robust and manageable. You can pick it up and move it around, and you, or anyone else, can see where every wire goes.
This is a bit of thread necromancy here but I just want to give a shout out to you for the suggestion of Nano. I just found a great deal on Amazon for 5 Nano clones for less than 20 quid total (about 27 US dollars). Took a little work to get them to work (drivers/ setting etc), but turned out beautiful! I have got to solder the headers onto them but that will be easy.
