Let's Control It

Have been looking for a nice small case for some customized IoT stuff (mains powered) and just today, I found some funny gadget at a local budget store. It's an automatic nightlight with two USB charging ports.

I just guessed that there might be some empty space left and took the risk (5 euro) to dismantle the device and check.
Got to find a suitable screwdriver first because they have used some really awkward types in here. Did not match exactly but managed to get them out (and replace them later).

Time to customize this gadget because it has enough empty space to stuff in a Wifi module.

1 - This is how it looks to start with. Enough empty space for an ESP-01 or Wemos D1 mini
2 - Drilled a hole for 5V power cables (might not even be needed as there seems to be some space left between the LED board
3 - Solder power cables to 5V at the safe low voltage side
4 - Used the glue gun to avoid loose cable ends
5 - Flexible plastic protractor that can be easily cut with scissors
6 - Create some protective pieces to safeguard ESP module from high voltage board
7 - Replaced the original screws (funny triangular type) with standard philips head types
8 - Stuffed in a Wemos D1 Mini ESP8266 board and the protection 'shields'

Now just let it run for a while, connected to mains to see how this goes.

Next step could be mounting an IR led and put it in the living room wall socket to remote control my TV and other devices.

Or maybe figure out the schematics on the LED driving control and migrate it to the ESP module to have a Wifi controlled nightlight.

Nice find! Thanks for sharing.

What's the store you found these in?

Tecumseh wrote: ↑07 Jan 2019, 09:53 What's the store you found these in?

The store name is "Action", located in the Netherlands. They have stores across Europe but i don't know if the product range is equal in all countries.

I was hoping you would give me a store in the Netherlands

Tecumseh wrote: ↑08 Jan 2019, 17:01 I was hoping you would give me a store in the Netherlands

Look here: https://www.action.com/nl-nl/nl/multime ... e--tablet/ and then look at : Duo-USB wandlader

Succes, Herman

Nice hacking you have done!
Do you think that one of those tiny PIR sensors will fit in there? That would make a nice small Wifi enabled Motion Sensor

Sample what i mean:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HC-SR505-Mini- ... :rk:2:pf:0

Finally, the Wemos Mini’s I ordered arrived, funny have loads of Nodes and Mini Pros, never used Minis

Will do some building/drilling tomorrow and if WAF is 100% will post pictures

I want to check if this setup is ok with DHT22 (leftover scrapped project) as room sensor.

An old topic but I found a way to revive it. This particular USB charger is still available and I now have designed a replacement case that can be 3D printed.

3D model Outside of the case:


3D model Inside including a couple of sensors:


Photo outside front


Photo outside back


Photo inside

Do you have some plastics between the low voltage wiring and the original PCB?
The low voltage wires may be isolated, but they are very likely not rated for mains voltage isolation.
Meaning that even though they are isolated and their isolation is probably not damaged, it still may receive mains voltage from the switching power supply.

Those switching power supplies first rectify the mains voltage + have a capacitor, so there's 400V DC present on the mains board.

Thanks for that comment, this is now fixed with an obsolete card cut into shape.



Current version does not yet have the PIR mounted and is already crowded (no hole in this print), after I receive the ordered AM-312 that will be part of the next version although I might remove a couple of sensors.

Since you're printing your own, nobody is stopping you to make the unit a bit longer

Just keep in mind to keep parts isolated from touching as it is still a bit tricky with respect to isolation and I do like to keep the users of ESPEasy alive.