So I've been fiddling around with a Raspberry Pi lately, and I'm thinking about rigging up something to automatically open and close my windows based on the room temperature. My apartment tends to get stuffy real quick, and I'm tired of constantly getting up to adjust things manually (lazy, I know). I've seen a few tutorials online, but some seem overly complicated or use parts that are kinda pricey.
Has anyone here tried something similar? I'm looking for suggestions on affordable motors or actuators that won't break after a month, and maybe some advice on sensors that are reliable enough without being super expensive. Also, I'm not exactly an expert coder, so if you've got any recommendations for beginner-friendly resources or guides, I'd really appreciate it.
Any pitfalls I should watch out for before I dive in?
Did something similar a few years back—though mine was more about humidity control for my basement workshop. I initially went with cheap linear actuators off eBay, but they burned out pretty quick. Ended up grabbing some automotive window motors from a junkyard (surprisingly durable and cheap). For sensors, DS18B20 temp sensors are solid and beginner-friendly. Just make sure your window mechanism isn't too heavy or complicated... learned that the hard way after bending a couple brackets, haha.
Good call on the automotive window motors, hadn't thought of that. I'm planning something similar for my attic vents—do you think the DS18B20 sensors would hold up okay in higher temps?
I've been wondering about the DS18B20 sensors myself... I put one in my greenhouse last summer, and it held up surprisingly well even when temps got pretty intense (around 110°F or so). Attics can get hotter though, right? Maybe check the datasheet to see the max operating temp. But honestly, from my experience, they're tougher than they look. Are you planning to shield them somehow or just leave them exposed?