I Upgraded My Ultimate ESP32-S3 Automation System

I completely upgrade my previous ESP32 home automation project using JLCPCB. JLCPCB Flexible Heaters Starting at just $1: https://flexheater.jlcpcb.com/?from=YKPEXTVXPHFUGCUOQ and turn it from a hand-wired prototype into a professional all-in-one smart automation controller. The original version used an 8-channel relay module with relay functions hardcoded inside the firmware. In this upgraded version, I designed my first custom PCB in EasyEDA, expanded the controller to 16 dynamically programmable relay channels, redesigned the complete web dashboard, added industrial communication interfaces, improved the power section, added active cooling, and created a new 3D-printed enclosure. The complete system is still controlled by a single ESP32-S3. ## Major upgrades in this version * Custom PCB designed in EasyEDA * PCB manufactured by JLCPCB * MCP23017-based 16-channel relay control * Dynamically programmable relay names and functions * Manual, pulse, and automatic relay modes * Sensor-based relay automation * Individual “Show in Dashboard” option for every relay * Relay settings saved in external Winbond flash memory * MAX3485 RS485 communication interface * SN65HVD232DR CAN communication interface * Improved XL4061E1-based power section * 40 mm active cooling fan * New professional 3D-printed enclosure * Redesigned tab-based ESP32 web dashboard * Improved RFID, radar, face-recognition, sound, logging, network, and security settings * AI agent coding workflow using hundreds of prompts * Personal electronics inventory-management workflow ## Smart automation features This controller combines: * HLK-FM225 face recognition * RDM6300 RFID access control * HLK-LD2410B radar presence detection * PIR motion sensing * Smoke and air-quality monitoring * Indoor temperature and humidity monitoring * Light-level detection * Electronic door and garage lock control * Automatic light and exhaust-fan control * YX5300 MP3 audio alerts * Winbond W25Q128 external flash storage * TDS water-monitor integration * Solar-inverter monitoring * Air-purifier monitoring * Event logging * Network and security configuration * Full browser-based ESP32 control dashboard Every relay can now be renamed and configured directly from the web interface without changing the firmware. A relay can operate manually, activate for a timed pulse, or respond automatically to a selected sensor and threshold. The RS485 interface prepares the controller for devices such as energy meters, Modbus sensors, industrial controllers, and solar inverters. The CAN interface prepares it for future integration with battery-management systems, distributed automation nodes, automotive electronics, and other CAN-based devices. ## Custom PCB giveaway JLCPCB provided five copies of this custom PCB, and I only need two for testing and future upgrades. I will send the remaining **three bare PCBs to three randomly selected subscribers**. To participate: 1. Subscribe to the channel. 2. Leave a comment explaining what you would build with this PCB. 3. Make sure your YouTube channel has a public contact email in its About section. This giveaway includes the **bare PCB only**. Components, assembly, enclosure, and shipping eligibility may depend on the selected subscriber’s location. Please be careful of impersonation accounts. I will never ask you to pay a fee to win the PCB. ## Project files Complete source code, PCB files, wiring diagrams, 3D-printing files, and available project resources: [https://github.com/arslansadiq87/homeautomationv1.git](https://github.com/arslansadiq87/homeautomationv1) 3D Model: https://www.printables.com/model/1796458-esp32-s3-smart-automation-controller-enclosure ## Related videos AI Agentic Coding Tutorial: [https://youtu.be/uh4ngOpdrtw](https://youtu.be/uh4ngOpdrtw) External Winbond Storage: [https://youtu.be/AX0mj2s-sRA](https://youtu.be/AX0mj2s-sRA) Face Recognition, Radar and RFID: [https://youtu.be/wfVCFxQxQo8](https://youtu.be/wfVCFxQxQo8) RO Plant Monitoring: [https://youtu.be/G3e7_5rGVfU](https://youtu.be/G3e7_5rGVfU) Relay Control: [https://youtu.be/qpcKLc87n-g](https://youtu.be/qpcKLc87n-g) This project is useful for anyone building an ESP32 smart home controller, access-control system, workshop automation system, solar-monitoring dashboard, industrial communication gateway, or custom IoT web dashboard. Comment below and tell me what should be connected next: CAN battery-management system, RS485 energy meter, or multiple ESP32 automation nodes? #ESP32 #ESP32S3 #SmartAutomation #HomeAutomation #IoT #ESP32Project #EasyEDA #jlcpcb #CustomPCB #RS485 #CANBus #MCP23017 #RFID #FaceRecognition #RadarSensor #SolarMonitoring #IoTDashboard #PlatformIO #VSCode #AgenticCoding #3DPrinting