Electronic keypad code switch

How beefy do you want it?

Can't you put a standard switch inside one of those passive key containing code lock box for carers/cleaners for house entry, that is such a boon to burglars, saves them having to search under rocks, flowerpots, gnomes etc?

Search Aliexpress for 'access control keypad'. eg:

Not sure how you program in new key codes, but presumably via the keypad?

Theo

Possibly, but it is rather less convenient. Just being able to walk up and enter the code on the buttons is what I'm after.

This is to replace a failed wireless keypad that operates our garage door. The remote key fobs still work (from the car, one by the front door, etc.) but we need a way to get into the garage when standing by the door (of the garaage). There's no need for wireless as the keypad sits on the garage door jamb. It just needs a momentary switch closure to operate the door.

If low voltage and current. With say a calculator keypad you could cut the tracks to say the click switches 1,3,6,8 and wire them in series. Requiring pressing 1+3+6+8 concurrently rather thaan sequentially which is not an obvious thing to do AFAIK. Assuming the unloock operation is out of the weather and not observable by anyone or they would know to press all the buttons at the same time. Pressing any sequence of 4 buttons would never unlock it

I have a cheap safe on my bench which I recently fixed, it's a small 'Micromark' unit, must be 20 years old.

Keypad, PCB, battery holder (4 x AA), an output to operate a solenoid and a push button (inside the safe) for resetting is all it has. You could disassemble the electronics and use a relay in place of the solenoid, I'd expect. Obviously, you can change the code to whatever.

If you are happy doing some electronics assembly then this might be an answer;

Maybe something like a numeric keypad for a raspberry pi (or similar micro controller board) coupled with a postage stamp size pico pi that will require only the addition of a battery and perhaps an external transistor to switch something.

or

Would a remote fob do the trick? This is from the USA but surely something similar must be available here:

It isn't "out of the weather". Also having to press buttons simultaneously probably requires two hands which, again, reduces the ease of use somewhat, I'm often carrying something to put away in the garage for example.

Yes, thanks, they would seem to provide what I need, somewhat overkill but that's no matter. Thank you.

I was wondering if there were things like this around, thank you, that's well within my electronics capabilities I think. I wonder if there's an Arduino equivalant, I have Arduino stuff to hand.

No, we already have several of those, all working still. We need something to stick on the outside of the garage that's (somewhat) burglar proof but will let us open the door.

Something like this?

Its not exactly burglar proof if its just a plain on/off or momentary switch, they just need to access the cable and short/open the switch wires. The security will depend solely on how well you can protect the wiring. I assume the secure way would involve a weatherproof keypad with matrix or serial output which gets transmitted to a decoding unit inside the garage.

True, but similarly a burglar could simply push very hard on the side door of the garage and it would probably disintegrate! :-) That's why I said 'somewhat'. However the wiring would easily be hidden behind the door jamb with nothing exposed outside so would need a bit of perseverence and knowledge to open the door.

I know it’s not what you want but have you considered a simple Wi-Fi relay like the Shelly 1 to trigger the door? As long as you have your phone on you, you can open the door.

There are more expensive gadgets that will feed back the door position (ie. Open/closed) which is obviously better but a simple relay works for me.

Tim

I very rarely have a phone on me, especially when I'm working around the house and garden which is when I want to open the door.