In this Design Challenge, I will be using a couple of Particle Electrons and Raspberry Pi 3 as my base electronics. I will add a Basic BOM (Bill of Materials). I am also designing a DIY Open Source Security system into the Challenge as well as simple Heating Control sketch.

With this system, you will be able to go on holiday and rest easy that your home is safe and secure (with no leaks).

Bill Of Materials	Description	Bought From	Costs
Raspberry Pi Zero	Basic Micro Computer	Adafruit	$10 CAD
Particle Photon	Micro Controller	Particle	$19 USD
Liquid Flowmeter	1/2 NPT Brass Flow meter	Adafruit	$25 USD
Solenoid valve	1/2NPT Plastic Solenoid	Adafruit	$25 USD
Waterproof Boxes	Buy them anywhere, I bought mine from Amazon	Amazon	$3 USD Each
Security Box	Buy them anywhere, I bought mine from Amazon	Amazon	$25 CAD

 

That's the expensive stuff

The following are the products and programs I used to design my boards and have them made:

Products	Description	Costs	Comments
Sparkfun.com	Manufacturer of the relays I'm using	$2.00 Each
particle.io	Web IDE for programming	Free
twillio.com	SMS messaging service	Really cheap
OpenHAB.org	Open source home automation program for Linux, Windows and Mac	Open source… Free	Cool OpenHAB phone app to control and monitor
nodered.org	Open source	Included in Raspi Programming
ThingsSpeak.com	Analytics site	Free for this type of project

 

The Board Designs

Main Control Board

For the Main Control Board that sits in the control cabinet, I have included a Gerber File for the enthusiast that doesn’t want to go through the hassle of doing a total design work up.

I have 3 relays designed into the board:

• 1 can be used as an alarm bell
• 1 can be used for turning on and off the solenoid
• 1 can be used for turning heating or air conditioning on and off

The Raspberry Pi Zero can be soldered into place in the spots provided to get power from the board.

 IoT Relay Shield

Soldering the board… work your way from the inside to the outside of the board briefly touching the pins to be soldered. Don't linger too long as you may melt the pieces above you on the other side of the board. You just want to wait long enough for the solder to liquefy that you are touching to the iron and the piece at the same time. If you are not sure what you are doing, practice on a blank board with some cheap resistors until you’re comfortable.

 

Water Flow Meter Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flow Meter Board

The remote Water Flow Meter Board that sits on your main intake pipe after the flow meter and shutoff. I have included a Gerber file for this board as well. It requires power to operate. Either a battery setup can be included in it or regular power from the USB. I will be using the USB power block as it's easier to design into the board and junction box.

Water Leak Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Leak Board

The Remote Water Leak Board sits on the floor of your water closet or mechanical room, or even in the bathroom where you might have a leaky toilet. A Gerber file is attached for this one as well.

Sensor Board

Sensor Board

The Sensor Board is for the piezo sensor and any other sensors you want to implement, including motion detection.

 

Relay Board

 

Particle Photon Relay Board

The Remote Relay Board this mounts near the Solenoid shutoff your water or mechanical room or even in the bathroom where you might have a leaky toilet. A Gerber file is attached for this one as well.

You might have noticed the sensor boards are all exactly the same size. I did that on purpose so as to only have one box type for all sensors.

Penteon IO Board

Penteon IO Board

This is the flagship of my board collection. It has dual voltage AC or DC inputs up to 30VDC. Two relays and all inputs and outputs present. It’s a little larger but great for the flow and solenoid valve and sensors.

 

Bills of materials for each individual shield

 

Security Panel BOM

Label	Part Type	Properties
12VDC	Voltage Regulator	chip 78005; variant side; voltage 12V; package 78xxl
12VDC OUT	Camdenboss CTB0158-4	hole size 2.7mm; variant 90° 4 connector; pins 4; package THT; pin spacing 0.2in (5.08mm); part # CTB0158-4
1K	1KΩ Resistor	resistance 1KΩ; bands 4; tolerance ±5%; package THT; pin spacing 400 mil
1K	1KΩ Resistor	resistance 1KΩ; bands 4; tolerance ±5%; package THT; pin spacing 400 mil
1K	1KΩ Resistor	resistance 1KΩ; bands 4; tolerance ±5%; package THT; pin spacing 400 mil
1K	1KΩ Resistor	resistance 1KΩ; bands 4; tolerance ±5%; package THT; pin spacing 400 mil
1K	1KΩ Resistor	resistance 1KΩ; bands 4; tolerance ±5%; package THT; pin spacing 400 mil
1K1	1KΩ Resistor	resistance 1KΩ; bands 4; tolerance ±5%; package THT; pin spacing 400 mil
3.3VDC OUT	Camdenboss CTB0158-4	hole size 2.7mm; variant 90° 4 connector; pins 4; package THT; pin spacing 0.2in (5.08mm); part # CTB0158-4
3A	Resettable Fuse PTC	variant pth; package ptc
3A	Resettable Fuse PTC	variant pth; package ptc
3A	Resettable Fuse PTC	variant pth; package ptc
3A	Resettable Fuse PTC	variant pth; package ptc
5VDC	Voltage Regulator	chip 78005; variant side; voltage 5V; package 78xxl
C2	Electrolytic Capacitor	voltage 50V; package 200 mil [THT, electrolytic]; capacitance 47μF
C3	Electrolytic Capacitor	voltage 50V; package 100 mil [THT, electrolytic]; capacitance 0.1μF
C4	Electrolytic Capacitor	voltage 50V; package 100 mil [THT, electrolytic]; capacitance 0.1μF
C5	Electrolytic Capacitor	voltage 50V; package 100 mil [THT, electrolytic]; capacitance 0.1μF
D1	Rectifier Diode	type Rectifier; package 300 mil [THT]; part #1N4001
D2	Rectifier Diode	type Rectifier; package 300 mil [THT]; part #1N4001
F4	Resettable Fuse PTC	variant pth; package ptc
IC3	IC	hole size 1.0mm,0.508mm; chip label IC; pins 6; package DIP (Dual Inline) [THT]; pin spacing 300mil; true
Jumper	Generic double row male header - 8 pins	hole size 1.0mm,0.508mm; pins 8; form ♂ (male); row double; package THT; pin spacing 0.1in (2.54mm)
Jumper1	Generic double row male header - 6 pins	hole size 1.0mm,0.508mm; pins 6; form ♂ (male); row double; package THT; pin spacing 0.1in (2.54mm)
LED1	RGB LED (com. cathode, rgb)	pin order rgb; polarity common cathode; rgb RGB; package 5 mm [THT]
Motion ,Analog IN/OUT	Camdenboss CTB0158-6	hole size 2.7mm; variant 90° 6 connector; pins 6; package THT; pin spacing 0.2in (5.08mm); part # CTB0158-6
Particle	Electron	variant variant 5; pins 36; manufacturer Particle; name Electron; version 1.0.0
Power	Red (633nm) LED	leg yes; color Red (633nm); package 5 mm [THT]
Q2	NPN-Transistor	type NPN (EBC); package TO92 [THT]
Q3	NPN-Transistor	type NPN (EBC); package TO92 [THT]
Q4	NPN-Transistor	type NPN (EBC); package TO92 [THT]
R1	220Ω Resistor	resistance 220Ω; bands 4; tolerance ±5%; package THT; pin spacing 400 mil
Relay1	RELAY	variant pth4; package relay-jzc
Relay2	RELAY	variant pth4; package relay-jzc
Relay3	RELAY	variant pth4; package relay-jzc
Relays OUT 250VAC/3A	Camdenboss CTB0158-9	hole size 2.7mm; variant 90° 9 connector; pins 9; package THT; pin spacing 0.2in (5.08mm); part # CTB0158-9
SW3	DIP SWITCH	channels 1; package dipswitch-02
SW4	DIP SWITCH	channels 1; package dipswitch-02
Temp1	DS18B20 1-Wire Temperature Sensor	part # DS18B20
Temperature , Digital IN/OUT	Camdenboss CTB0158-8	hole size 2.7mm; variant 90° 8 connector; pins 8; package THT; pin spacing 0.2in (5.08mm); part # CTB0158-8
VAC	Camdenboss CTB0158-2	hole size 2.7mm; variant 90° 2 connector; pins 2; package THT; pin spacing 0.2in (5.08mm); part # CTB0158-2
VDC	Camdenboss CTB0158-2	hole size 2.7mm; variant 90° 2 connector; pins 2; package THT; pin spacing 0.2in (5.08mm); part # CTB0158-2

 

Water Leak Board BOM

Label	Part Type	Properties
10K	10KΩ Resistor	resistance 10KΩ; bands 4; tolerance ±5%; package THT; pin spacing 400 mil
J1	Screw terminal - 3 pins	hole size 1.0mm,0.508mm; pins 3; package THT; pin spacing 0.137in (3.5mm)
Particle Board	Electron	variant variant 5; pins 36; manufacturer Particle; name Electron; version 1.0.0
Temperature Sensor	DS18B20 1-Wire Temperature Sensor	part # DS18B20

 

Flow Meter Board BOM

Label	Part Type	Properties
10K	10KΩ Resistor	resistance 220Ω; pin spacing 400 mil; package THT; bands 4; tolerance ±5%
10K	10KΩ Resistor	resistance 220Ω; pin spacing 400 mil; package THT; bands 4; tolerance ±5%
10K	10KΩ Resistor	resistance 220Ω; pin spacing 400 mil; package THT; bands 4; tolerance ±5%
J1	Screw terminal - 3 pins	pins 3; pin spacing 0.137in (3.5mm); package THT; hole size 1.0mm,0.508mm
Mosfet	MOSFET-NCHANNEL	variant pth; package to-92
Particle Board	Electron	variant variant 5; manufacturer Particle; pins 36; name Electron; version 1.0.0
Temperature Sensor	DS18B20 1-Wire Temperature Sensor	part # DS18B20

 

Relay Board BOM

Label	Part Type	Properties
10K	10KΩ Resistor	resistance 10KΩ; bands 4; tolerance ±5%; package THT; pin spacing 400 mil
220ohm	220Ω Resistor	resistance 220Ω; bands 4; tolerance ±5%; package THT; pin spacing 400 mil
J1	Screw terminal - 3 pins	hole size 1.0mm,0.508mm; pins 3; package THT; pin spacing 0.137in (3.5mm)
Particle Photon	Electron	variant variant 5; pins 36; manufacturer Particle; name Electron; version 1.0.0
Q2	NPN-Transistor	type NPN (EBC); package TO92 [THT]
Temperature Sensor	DS18B20 1-Wire Temperature Sensor	part # DS18B20
U8	RELAY	variant pth4; package relay-jzc

 

So now, after you've ordered all your parts, they have come in and you’ve soldered them. Let’s put them in their boxes and power them up.

The following pages are dedicated to building your boxes and programming the shut-off valve and flow meter.

Building the boxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Boards

Soldered sensor boards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Design Considerations

 

The Piezo vibration sensor was implemented for the non-penetration water flow part of the design challenge. I wanted to have the Piezo sensor detect vibration from the flowing water. To do that I designed a simple mechanical vibration magnification system which would amplify the vibrations of flowing water to readable levels. It will pick up environmental vibrations as well, such as people walking across floors, earthquakes, heavy construction nearby etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1

Fitting the boards into the boxes and wiring them up

I started by soldering longer wires to the flow meter to accommodate better placement.

 

 

 

The first box soldered up

Remember to test all your devices for faults and grounds before you plug your powered-up device into it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Particle Program for the Vibration Sensor (Particle IDE)

// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.

#include <OneWire.h>

#include "DS18.h"

const int MOTION_TIMEOUT = 5000UL;

const int ledPin = D7;

const int MOTION_TIMEOUT1 = 5000UL;

DS18 sensor(D0);

unsigned long oldTime;

volatile unsigned int WaterPulseCount = 0;

const float pulsesPerLiter = 485;

const float pulsesPerLiter1 = 485;

#define WATER_SENSOR_PIN A1

#define WATER_SENSOR_PIN1 D2

float input_voltage = 0.0;

double VRaw;

float Vib =0;

float VibS =0;

float liters = 0;

char liters_S[6];

char freq[6];

int PezioPulseCount=0;

//

int PezioPulseCount1=0;

void WaterPulseCounter(void)

{

WaterPulseCount++;

}

void PezioPulseCounter(void)

{

PezioPulseCount++;

}

void setup()

{

Serial.begin(9600);

Particle.variable("Vib", freq, STRING);

Particle.variable("litersS", liters_S, STRING);

pinMode(WATER_SENSOR_PIN, INPUT);

attachInterrupt(WATER_SENSOR_PIN, WaterPulseCounter, FALLING) ;

oldTime = millis();

}
void loop() {

char message[120];

String data = String (20);

if (sensor.read()) {

Serial.printf("Temperature %.2f C %.2f F ", sensor.celsius(), sensor.fahrenheit());

Particle.publish("Underside_Temperature", String(sensor.celsius()), PRIVATE);//You can adjust

("Temperature") to say what you want

delay(2500);

}

else {

if (sensor.searchDone()) {

Serial.println("No more addresses.");

} else {

}

}

unsigned long t;

static unsigned int pc;

t = (millis() - oldTime);

if(t >= 1000) {

//Read water sensor pulse count and process

if (WaterPulseCount != 0) // Do nothing if water is not flowing!

{

detachInterrupt (WATER_SENSOR_PIN);

liters = (WaterPulseCount / pulsesPerLiter) * (t / 100);

oldTime = millis();

pc = WaterPulseCount;

WaterPulseCount = 0;

attachInterrupt(WATER_SENSOR_PIN, WaterPulseCounter, FALLING);

sprintf(liters_S, "%4.3f", liters);

Particle.publish("Vibration_Level",liters_S,60,PRIVATE);

}

}

}

 

Testing the Program

Flash the Particle and flick the sensor a few times to see if it appears on the Particle screen.

 

Vibration Test using Librato

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Vibration Sensor Box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Micro Vibration Sensor $7.00CAD

Sensor Shield with Power input without the Particle. Up to 20VDC Integral Temperature Sensor, Analog and Digital inputs.

Costs:

• Board $2
• Voltage Regulator $5
• Power input $2
• Temperature Sensor $11
• 4 pin Screw Connector $2
• Vibration Sensor $7
• Particle $19
• 18 Pin female headers $2

Total for Water Leak Sensor $49 CAD

The Battery Version is slightly more expensive but still within budget. The sketch differs a bit in that the Particle will sleep until there is an event… Then go back to sleep.

Costs:

• Board $2
• Voltage Regulator $5
• Power input $2
• Temperature Sensor $11
• 4 pin Screw Connector $2
• Vibration Sensor $7
• Particle $69
• 18 Pin female headers $2

Total for Water Leak Sensor $110 CAD

 

Particle Sensor Shield Powering up

Real analytics of vibration sensor mounted on water pipe:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Leak Sensor

Building the sensor box was relatively easy using small 10/32 bolts and nuts along with some stakeons. I made the box to sense small amounts of water. The following pictures show how it was built.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sensors on the box bottom

 

The completed box

 

 

Box sleeping and ready to transmit trouble

 

Alert Video

 

Security Shield and Program

The Security Shield is a basic design with up to 24VAC or 24VDC power input capability with

12VDC and 3.3VDC outputs and inputs to various devices. This unit is supplying power to four security PIRs, a battery and the water shut off solenoid under the house.

 

Security Shield with Raspberry Pi Zero mounted on it. The Pi is powered by the security shield. Its main function is to run the OpenHAB program and the Node-Red Program.

 

 

 

 

It's handy to have them both powered but the shield space is limited in a control cabinet.

 

Screenshots of OpenHAB Program running on an IPad:

 

 

 

 

Links to tutorials for installing and running OpenHAB:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Node-Red

 

Node-Red is a simple intermediary between OpenHAB and the Particle Publish web cloud. This enables Particle and the Raspberry Pi Zero to do their work without using MQTT in the

Sketch, which I found was a little buggy at times. Both are programmed to start after reboot so it is self-starting following a reboot.

 

 Thank you for considering my designs.