FAQ
TL;DR: 433 MHz RF is battery-friendly; Devices with Wifi as the transmission medium are power intensive. For ESP32 alarms, wire PIR/reed sensors to GPIO or use an RF bridge, then publish events to your hub. [Elektroda, starob, post #19756158]
Why it matters: It helps DIYers choose a reliable way to link door/motion sensors to ESP32 Wroom without dead batteries or protocol mismatches.
Quick Facts
- Xiaomi Aqara Door Sensor speaks Zigbee, not Wi‑Fi, so it needs a Zigbee gateway. [Elektroda, starob, post #19755907]
- ESP32 Wroom runs Tasmota/ESP Easy/Espurna and can publish MQTT to Domoticz or Home Assistant. [Elektroda, starob, post #19756054]
- Battery-powered Wi‑Fi sensors are difficult; consider 433 MHz RF (e.g., Sonoff RF Bridge, RFLink). [Elektroda, starob, post #19756158]
- Treat reed/PIR as simple buttons on GPIO and use Tasmota Rules for logic. [Elektroda, starob, post #19757015]
- Put an MQTT broker on Raspberry Pi to switch between Domoticz and Home Assistant later. [Elektroda, starob, post #19759541]
Can I connect a Xiaomi Aqara door sensor directly to an ESP32 Wroom?
No. Aqara uses Zigbee, while ESP32 speaks Wi‑Fi/BLE. You need a Zigbee gateway or hub to bridge it. [Elektroda, starob, post #19755907]
What does pairing sensors with ESP32 over Wi‑Fi actually mean here?
In this context, you wire sensors to ESP32 GPIO pins like buttons, then the ESP32 reports their state over Wi‑Fi to your home platform. [Elektroda, starob, post #19756054]
Are Wi‑Fi PIR and reed sensors practical on batteries?
Usually no. Devices with Wifi as the transmission medium are power intensive. Prefer mains power or 433 MHz RF sensors with a bridge if you need wireless. [Elektroda, starob, post #19756158]
Whats the simplest ready-made wireless route if I dont want DIY?
Use Sonoff 433 MHz sensors plus the Sonoff RF Bridge. Integrate them in the vendor app, then into your system if supported. [Elektroda, starob, post #19756912]
How do I wire a reed switch or PIR to ESP32 and publish events?
Use Tasmota and treat each sensor like a button. 1) Wire sensor between a safe GPIO and GND, enable internal pull-up. 2) Flash Tasmota, assign the GPIO as Switch in Module settings. 3) Set MQTT, then use Rules to publish or trigger alerts. [Elektroda, starob, post #19757015]
How many sensors can an ESP32 handle for this project?
An ESP32 has multiple usable GPIO pins, so several inputs are feasible. Start with one sensor, validate logic, then add more step by step. Use Rules for behavior. [Elektroda, starob, post #19757015]
I have 10 sensors to monitor. What topology makes sense?
For 3 PIR and 7 reed switches, group nearby sensors to an ESP32 node. Publish states over MQTT to your hub for alarms and dashboards. [Elektroda, Michal8883, post #19756524]
How do I trigger a siren and send email or push notifications?
Drive the siren via your hubs automation. Let Domoticz or Home Assistant send email/push, since email from ESP alone is cumbersome. [Elektroda, starob, post #19756912]
Domoticz vs Home Assistant which should I choose?
Domoticz is quick to start but shows limits as needs grow. Home Assistant takes more setup, but offers stronger apps and flexibility. [Elektroda, starob, post #19759541]
Can I control everything from a Raspberry Pi display or a tablet?
Yes. Run Domoticz or Home Assistant on the Raspberry Pi. Use their web UI or a tablet app as your wall display. [Elektroda, starob, post #19759541]
Is 433 MHz with an RF bridge a good idea for wireless sensors?
It works, but note a risk: different manufacturers use different RF protocols, limiting compatibility and decoding. [Elektroda, starob, post #19756158]
Do I need a screw-terminal breakout for ESP32 Wroom boards?
A generic screw-terminal breakout is fine; its just pin-to-terminal wiring. Relabel terminals to match your Wroom pinout. [Elektroda, starob, post #19757101]
Whats the best way to start without getting overwhelmed?
Flash Tasmota, connect a single button sensor on the bench, and test Rules. Then add sensors incrementally. [Elektroda, starob, post #19757015]
How do I integrate ESP32 sensors with MQTT, Domoticz, or Home Assistant?
Configure ESP32 firmware (Tasmota/ESP Easy) to publish sensor states via MQTT. Your hub subscribes and runs automations or alerts. [Elektroda, starob, post #19756054]
Can I switch later from Domoticz to Home Assistant without redoing everything?
Yes. Put an MQTT broker on the Raspberry Pi now. Both platforms support MQTT, so migration is straightforward. [Elektroda, starob, post #19759541]
