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RFID Deadbolt — Parallax Forums

RFID Deadbolt

ercoerco Posts: 20,244
edited 2016-05-12 20:49 in Robotics
A Jameco kit: http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?search_type=jamecoall&catalogId=10001&freeText=rfid+deadbolt&langId=-1&productId=2216841&storeId=10001&ddkey=http:StoreCatalogDrillDownView

Nice idea and a great first kit for a tech savvy kid. Arguably a robot, RFID input and servo output. Not sure why it costs $120 though. They are even using Parallax's RFID reader/tag kit! Surely Parallax could bundle such a kit for less, even a BS1 is up to the task of serial comms to an RFID reader, blinking a Bicolor LED and driving a servo.

Comments

  • I actually was working on something similar. The problem is, where do you plug it in at? My solution is to place the deadbolt in the wall and run the wall wart down the wall to an AC outlet but it would be a serious eyesore.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2016-05-12 21:43
    Andy, most solutions have batteries. Here's a partial solution from Sparkfun: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13648

    My doors at home use these: http://www.lowes.com/pd_297295-350-909+L03___?productId=3126413&pl=1&Ntt=keypad+door+locks

    Not as hackable as I'd hoped though. I may seek another alternative soon that can integrate with my DIY alarm system.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    I made a Smartbutton reader for my garage, akin to RFID. I powered the thing from 4xC cells, which lasted forever because it turned itself off after a minute. I had an external pushbutton switch that turned on the reader circuit on for a minute then turned itself off. Could do that if you drill through your door!

  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    Cool project. Jameco has a interesting assortment of off-beat kits.
  • In CA it's not even legal to put these up in your own home, for fun or otherwise, unless the lock has a manual override. Most fire laws are fairly common sense. From the article: "Don't use it ... to lock people inside of anything." Er, isn't that exactly what it does?

    I had a similar idea a while back using Parallax's touch gesture sensor (now discontinued). But I wasn't about to do a door lock. Instead, it's a (okay, Arduino) project for a keyless lock box. You program in various fingers gestures, and if you repeat those gestures, the servo inside unlocks the box. You only need the power to lock and unlock the box, so in theory, you'd just hook up a wall-wart or batteries when you wanted to raid the thing for your stash of Chick-O-Sticks.

    http://makezine.com/projects/make-32/keyless-lock-box/

    That sensor was pretty cool. I was disappointed when Parallax EOL'ed it.
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