Hello,

I’m currently building a new house (EU). I’m planning to put ESP32 sensors in every room (top corner) with mmWave sensor to have a reliable presence detection.

I don’t know what the best way to power the esp32 is? Wi-Fi coverage should be good enough, so Ethernet is a plus but not mandatory.

POE looks nice but might require a bigger box as ESP32 with Ethernet looks bigger? Also, I’m not sure it will be able to power the mmWave sensor? I only saw 3.3V output. Any recommendations?

5V run from a central location (garage) might be difficult with voltage drop. Any recommendations for some cable specs and maybe experiences?

Last option would be a regular 230V run with 230V/5V transformer next to each ESP32, which also leads to a bigger box.

What do you think would be the best option?

Thank you for your advice!

  • rsachs57@alien.topBEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    One option might be a POE to 12/9/5v convertor like this. I use one to run a 12v non-POE switch up in my attic from a basement POE switch.

  • MHTMakerspace@alien.topBEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    POE looks nice but might require a bigger box as ESP32 with Ethernet looks bigger? Also, I’m not sure it will be able to power the mmWave sensor? I only saw 3.3V output. Any recommendations?

    We are building mmWave sensors using the Olimex ESP32-POE. This board has both 5v and 3.3v available on the side set of pins.

    Yes, the PoE boards are a bit larger than USB-powered devkits, and the price is a little higher – felt the extra reliability justified spending a little more for a device with integrated PoE versus adding complexity with WiFi or separate power supplies for each sensor.

    • Logical-Metal@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Thanks for your reply. I missed the fact that the Olimex supports 5V, that makes it the best option so far! I’m planning at least 14 sensors so I’m trying to keep it cheap. Everythingsmarthome version of ESP looks nice but as I’m not in the UK, their import taxes make it really expensive for me.

  • mistyrouge@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Don’t have a solution for you but please post updates of how you build this out. I’m considering it for my new house too

  • ThisITGuy_@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    If you run voltage from a central location and start with higher voltage (say 12v) and run the lines through an h-bridge you can configure the voltage separately for each run so that even with voltage drop you’ll be at 5v at the the point of the esp32.

  • silasmoeckel@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Run cat 6a, 48v is a good choice and you can use a simple dc to dc at the esp32 end. Can do the same for the sensor. Throw it all in a plastic workbox.

    from a cost and complexity the esp32 with poe is pretty cheap and you can probably tap into spare1 and 2 to run a dc to dc for the mm wave sensor.

    • MHTMakerspace@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      the esp32 with poe is pretty cheap

      Which make & model?

      Throw it all in a plastic workbox.

      Not sure where u/Logical-Meta is located, what their standard workbox/switchbox dimensions are.