esp8266-mqtt-rat-trap

IoT internet enabled rat snap-trap used to monitor mouse and rat traps remotely. using ESP8266, Arduino, MQTT / mosquitto.org

IoT Rat Trap

• ESP8266 (ESP-12E WiFi SOC CPU)
• MQTT (mosquitto.org message queue broker software)
• MQTT Client (Raspberry Pi) --> IFTTT 'Maker' Channel

[ trap ] ---> [ ESP8266 ] ---> [ MQTT Broker ] ----> [ MQTT Client ] ---> email notification

Trap

• Standard snap-trap from hardware store, modified with switch sensor.
• Use magnet + reed switch to detect position.
• Connect to CPU GPIO pin as closed-loop alarm.

ESP8266

• ESP-12E WiFi System On Chip (SOC) for about $3
• Program with Arduino IDE (version 1.6.8)
• Read GPIO pin for switch position as "ready" or "sprung"
• Publish MQTT messages on 'trap' topic.

MQTT Broker

• mosquitto.org open source software MQTT broken, run on laptop or Raspberry Pi.
• Listen for Topic event message, then re-transmitts message to client listeners on topic.

Why?

• Lazy...got tired of checking traps in attic and garage.
• Forget...to check traps.
• Excuse... to MAKE! Wanted to make IoT with ESP8266 and MQTT. Learn, Enjoy, Share!

What Next

• Transmit battery level, easier to plan batter replacement before failure.
• GPIO pin to trigger LEVEL interrupt (intead of polling) - to get immediate notification.
• MQTT app on phone, tablet, or use AWS IoT.