The downside is that it has only an ARMv6 processor so some things, like Java, are not going to be usable. The upside is that, while prototyping, if I damaged any of the GPIO circuits it was cheap and easy to replace and keep prototyping.

Every step will refine our design and knowledge, culminating in building a permanent hardware solution to interface the Pi with a relay and reed sensors.Īdditionally, unlike some other projects, I decided to use a Raspberry Pi Zero W, which I got on sale some time ago but still was sitting unused on my desk. It will start out with some information, and then we will build circuits on a breadboard. My approach is to be very basic, acting as a summary of the learning I did to be able to complete the hardware. the built-in Pi functionality.īecause this garage door project really is a multi-part process comprising Pi hardware, software, and installation with your garage door opener(s) I thought I would first focus on the Pi hardware, since it is needed for every other step. I also learned about the benefits of pull-up and pull-down hardware circuits vs. Not being a seasoned electronics person, I did a whole lot of additional research on ways to interface with the Raspberry Pi and learned a lot about the importance of resistors with LED bulbs and with all GPIO wiring. One of the inspirations for this project was the fine instructable at Raspberry Pi 3 Garage Door Opener, along with several others found on the Internet.

Raspberry pi zero w fritzing