Pi Switch

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MAIN PICTURE

Pi Switch is an open source project based on Raspberry pi. It's meant to be used as "long range switch".
Project's Github page


       About:

As mentioned erlier, Pi switch is basically a "switch" you can turn on from anywhere in world where you have internet access.
It uses Raspberry pi and external circuit ,which of you can find schematics,but also the board on my Github page.
Pi Switch was invented as a solution to a problem, I needed to turn on my servers from anywhere i wanted to!

       Principle:

When you set it up, you can SSH to it (better way comming) and run a python script that asks you which one of the three devices.
you want to turn on (default,but you can modify it). Your choice turns on one of the LEDs that shines directly to a photoresistor.
The photoresistor lowers it's resistamce to minimum and shorts the circuit(tuns on the device),as if you pressed a button.

       Versions:

   Version 1.1    V1.1 Changes:
I have designed a PCB.
So new PCB design,printed one.
Just improved version of the "original".
   Version 1.0    IN PROGRESS Changes:
The originial version.
Made on this "universal" PCB not the printed one.
Original solution to my problem.
Just a test,but a working one!

       Create your own

Parts you will need:

(All links mentioned here leads to czech sites,but by the model number you can find it elsewhere.)
  • 3* Photoresistor (i use the LDR5516 ).
  • Switch or pinhead jumper
  • Female piheaders
    •        -Crimping contants KONPC-SPK-PI,you can buy in bulk,they are really cheap,if you mess up.
           -Plastic shells for crimping contacts KONPC-SPK-10,buy more of them,they are cheap and you are gona ruin a few by sniping it.
           -Female 2.54mm pinhead row BL240G-V8,0,buy more of them,they are cheap and you are gona ruin a few by sniping it.
  • Male piheaders
    •        -Female pihead row (for switch and output ) S1G26C,buy more of them,they are cheap and you are gona ruin a few by sniping it.
  • 3* 100Ω Resistors
  • 3* Good old 5mm white LEDs(3V)
  • Connector/pihead - for output you can either use some kind of 6pin connector or just pinheads.
  • PCB
    •        -You can either use a multi-purpouse PCB or a printed one.(Order one based on my schematics or just download the gerber .ZIP file from my Github page.)
  • soldering equipment
    •        -Soldering iron
           -Tin(I recommend >1mm)
           -Some good flux or a soldering paste
           -Wet sponge for cleaning the soldering iron.
           -Additional soldering eqpiment like: third arm,soldering iron stand,magnifying glass.....
  • Some generic cable
  • And obviosuly Raspberry Pi,theoreticly you can use any of the(except pico) but i reccomend one with a ethernet port.

    • Optional:

  • Wire strippers
  • clipers
  • Breadboard for testing
  • Some generic 2.54mm jumper wires
  • Shrink tubes (I recomend two diametrs,one for the LED assembly,and smaller one for generic pourpuses.)

    • Build tutorial:

    Video -just test for now

    Additional tips:

  • For PCB manufacturing I recomend JLC PCB. It may take a while to get to you ,but if you use cheapest delivery option it's really resonable price.
  • If you are amateur in this kind of thing(like me) try it on the breadboard.


    •        Feedback:

    If you have any feedback at all,comments,improvements,typos....
    Please contact me at: piswitch.feedback@gmail.com .
    And if you decided to make one,please send me picture of your creation,i would love to see it. Thanks! :D


    I would just like to mention my main source of inspiration for this project. It was the Pi Dramble project by Jeff Geerling