Keyfob Deadbolt

The key to my apartment never worked quite right because it is a copy of a copy of a copy. I am fairly certain that the dead bolt is original to the building and the property manager seems to have lost the original key years ago. As a result unlocking the door was always a pain. Changing the lock wasn't an option, but eliminating the need to use a key was.

Parts:
Arduino Uno
RF transmitter and receiver
Servo
2 Push Button Switches
Red LED
Green LED
Various Resistors
piezoelectric speaker
Perf Board

 

Step 1: Mounting Parts

I used a couple of pieces of acrylic that I acquired in the dumpster of the plastic shop next to my place of work (they throw out alot of small pieces like this). Alternatively another material could be used if you don't have access to acrylic, but it is easy to work with and looks cool.

Using a piece of paper trace the mounting holes for your dead bolt and transfer them onto your acrylic sheet. Since most dead bolts are going to be slightly different I am not sharing the template I made out of a piece of paper (mainly because it isn't anything worth sharing).

Leave the paper covering on while working with the acrylic. The paper makes it easy to mark where to cut/drill as well as protects the material from scratches. Once all of your cuts are made and your holes are drilled you can start installing components such as LEDs and switches.

Comments

[nelo_007]

hola amigo me puedes explicar como va conectado todo esque no entiendo hay cosas que no me salen, si pudieras explicarmelo paso a paso te lo agradeceria mucho saludos

[nelo_007]

hola amigo me puedes explicar mas a detalle como va conectado todo saludos espero tu respuesta

[rybitski]

Yes, When the lock is turned manually the locked or unlocked limit will be triggered changing the state.

[chillas]

This is exactly what I came here looking for.

Quick question - what happens if someone does unlock with a key? Does the system still know what state it is in, locked or unlocked?

[maniza2204]

hi, can i use other type of RF transmitter and receiver ?

[rybitski]

Of course. Depending on the output of the transmitter you may have to change the code or circuit, but any type of rf transmitter and receiver should work.

[AT]

Nice! Now hook it up to the internet so you get a text every time it is unlocked. ;-)

Is there nothing that can't do with an Arduino! :-D

[rybitski]

check out http://rybitski.com/projects.html for a sweet arudino project

[simplistik]

Nice instructable! Any new update to this i.e. battery back up, new revisions etc.?

[rybitski]

unfortunately there are no updates yet. I am currently working on a cruise ship and won't be home until june.

[rybitski]

unfortunately there are no updates yet. I am currently working on a cruise ship and won't be home until june.

[Yard Sale Dale]

Cool idea. Too bad your landlord won't hire a locksmith or replace the lock. Take it with you when you leave (the whole lock hahahah)

[manishrkp]

congratulations

[poofrabbit]

Hey congratulations on being a finalist in the hack it contest! Good luck to you!

[dokcal]

I'm assuming the Parallax servo was a "constant rotation" type, right? Otherwise, I don't think you would need the limit switch.

[rybitski]

That is correct, I didn't have a standard servo.

[dokcal]

Cool. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something!

[.A.]

This is an absolutely incredible instructable, must say! My arduino is coming in the mail tomorrow and this really inspired me.

[rybitski]

Please post pictures. I am really excited to see how everyone's turns out.

[.A.]

Thanks man! so far all I have made is a simple electronic dice... I might make an instructable due to the simplicity of it, but I am still a noob at using arduino :P

My first instructable got featured though! YAY!

[KROKKENOSTER]

I think that this can be more "safe" than the wireless remotes for the car immobilizers that the Baddies jam with jamming devices to "empty" your vehicle

[rybitski]

As easy as it is to use a bump key to get into a door I don't think that I run anymore of a risk by having a wireless keyfob. In fact the chances of anyone trying to break into my apartment door the same way they break into a car are very slim. However, you are correct in saying that this isn't the most secure technology. I am just pointing out the fact that my old dead bolt wasn't that secure to begin with.

[TJSonOfAnder]

This is a great DIY, how much (excluding time/labor of course) did it cost? Just wondering if the price difference between this and lockitron ($179) is worth the time it would take to make it. And the fob vs. app, but I'm sure there are a few simple ways of linking this device, so I could control it from my phone.

[rybitski]

The arduino is about $30 and the key fob was around $20. All of the other parts I had in stock. If you want to control it from your phone there is a Bluetooth shield that you can get for the arduino. This would involve some custom programming, but it is doable.

[ixisuprflyixi]

This is great. I want to build one.

[megaduty]

Like this a lot, voted for you.

[agis68]

pretty cool. I love it is excellent project and i will built it

thnx

[rybitski]

please post pictures and good luck.

[alcurb]

Nice project. It's seems simple to make. However, I'm curious how the epoxy piece links up to the deadbolt shaft. You took the knob off then figured out how to mold the piece? How did you make the epoxy form? You have pictures of that process?

[rybitski]

I was not able to get any pictures of that process because it was kind of messy, but it is very simple. Epoxy putty is basically sticky playdough that dries in about 7 mins (i had the quickset kind). I formed the little blob of putty on the servo disc and depressed the shaft of the lock into the center of the putty. When it dries it is rock hard and holds its shape. I had to trim the dried putty blob because it was hitting the mouting screws. I used a dremel and a sanding drum to do this.

[jcksparr0w]

I'm not too well versed in circuitry but couldn't you use a 9v battery with a 5v regulator on it?

[waterski4life1]

The arduino uno, used in this project, is built to run stable on 7-12v, it will run on as low as 5v but may not be able to output the full 5v on the output pins. I can also safely run on as high as 20v but runs the danger of over heating. The arduino has an internal 5v regulator. The reason his works without glitch is because his supply is a constant 5v, a battery can drop below 5v as it runs low and that is why 5v batteries aren't recommended

[rybitski]

certainly, that isn't the most efficient way to power it, but it would work. I would reserve something like that for a battery back up and power the device from an outlet when possible.

[jcksparr0w]

Simply a thought for convienence

[vanillaface]

This is awesome! I've been wanting to do something like this on my door for a long time, but I never thought of using a keyfob!

One suggestion, you might want to look into adding a magnetic door sensor. That way you can make sure the door is closed before you lock it and play an alarm if it isnt.

[rybitski]

good suggestion.

[Toasty]

Please consider a (mechanical) emergency egress override in case of power or mechanism failure.

[rybitski]

That is a concern that I need to address. Luckily there is a front and back door to my apartment tho. Ideally I would like to offset the servo and link it to the shaft via gears which would allow for the manual lever to remain attached.

[hot-fresh-rider]

nice project. I used the "relay version" of that receiver to add remote start to my motorbike: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2zWauJsyh4

[kbeharee]

Very nice project!