# J-Rat Techworks

> DIY Electronics, Smart Projects, and Real-World Builds


## Posts

- [ESP32-C5 vs ESP32-C6 vs ESP32-S3: Which Should You Use?](https://jrattechworks.com/esp32-c5-vs-c6-vs-s3/): Compare the ESP32-C5, C6 and S3 for Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Thread, USB, PSRAM and common DIY projects to see which ESP32 fits your build.
- [How to Build a Secure LoRa Gateway for Home Assistant](https://jrattechworks.com/secure-lora-gateway/): When I first started building my own LoRa sensors, I needed a simple way to get their data back into Home Assistant. The first version of my DIY LoRa gateway did exactly that. A sensor could send a packet over LoRa, the gateway would receive it, connect to my MQTT broker over Wi-Fi and make […]
- [How to Build a LoRa Water Tank Sensor for Home Assistant](https://jrattechworks.com/lora-water-tank-sensor/): Monitoring the water level in a rainwater tank seems like a fairly simple smart home project, but my previous attempts showed me there are a few problems to solve if the tank is any real distance from the house. I had already built Wi-Fi versions of my tank sensor, and while they worked, Wi-Fi wasn’t […]
- [Best Home Assistant Hardware for Beginners: Complete Buying Guide](https://jrattechworks.com/home-assistant-hardware-for-beginners/): Starting with Home Assistant can feel more complicated than it actually is. You will often see setups involving mini PCs, network racks, USB adapters, custom sensors and enough cables to fill a drawer. Those systems can be great, but you do not need to buy all of your Home Assistant hardware at once. A good […]
- [DIY LoRa Gateway for a Home Assistant Sensor Network](https://jrattechworks.com/diy-lora-gateway/): If you want to monitor things around your home, garden, shed, or property without relying on Wi-Fi at every sensor location, a LoRa gateway is a really useful place to start. For my setup, the gateway is the middle point between my remote sensors and Home Assistant. The sensors send small packets of data over […]
- [I Built Hidden Smart LED Lighting for My Office Desk](https://jrattechworks.com/diy-smart-led-lighting/): My office has always been functional, but it never really felt like a space I wanted to spend time in at night. The desk area felt dark, plain, and unfinished, so I decided to add hidden smart LED lighting behind the desk. The goal was simple: create a soft glow on the wall, control it […]
- [How to Use an ESP32-C6 as a Zigbee Router in Home Assistant](https://jrattechworks.com/esp32-c6-zigbee-router/): The ESP32-C6 is one of the more interesting ESP32 boards for smart home projects because it supports more than just Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It also includes an 802.15.4 radio, which allows it to work with wireless protocols like Zigbee and Thread. That makes it possible to use an ESP32-C6 in a Zigbee network, including as […]
- [How to Set Up a Zigbee Coordinator in Home Assistant Using Zigbee2MQTT](https://jrattechworks.com/how-to-set-up-a-zigbee-coordinator/): To set up a Zigbee coordinator in Home Assistant with Zigbee2MQTT, you need to connect the coordinator, find its stable serial path, configure MQTT and Zigbee2MQTT, then pair your first device. This guide walks through the full process on Home Assistant OS. A Zigbee coordinator is the USB adapter that creates the Zigbee network and […]
- [Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C3](https://jrattechworks.com/parts/xiao-esp32-c3/): Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C3 $8.73 In Stock As of 12/05/2026AliExpress Check the listing before buying. Some versions come with unsoldered headers, while others may include pre-soldered headers or multi-packs. The Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C3 is a tiny ESP32-C3 development board with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, USB-C, battery support, and the compact XIAO form factor. […]
- [Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V4](https://jrattechworks.com/parts/heltec-wifi-lora-32-v4/): Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V4 $25.42 In Stock As of 11/05/2026AliExpress The Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V4 is a compact ESP32-S3 LoRa development board with an onboard OLED display, USB-C, battery support, and an SX1262 LoRa radio. It is commonly used for MeshCore, Meshtastic, LoRa testing, repeaters, and small off-grid sensor projects. Check the listing […]
- [Best Meshtastic Devices in 2026: Which Radio Should You Buy?](https://jrattechworks.com/best-meshtastic-devices/): If you are getting into Meshtastic, the device you choose makes a big difference. Some boards are cheap and easy to start with. Some are better for solar nodes or fixed repeaters. Others make more sense if you want GPS tracking, a proper handheld device, or something that works without much DIY. That is what […]
- [MeshCore Web Flasher: How to Flash and Set Up a Repeater](https://jrattechworks.com/meshcore-repeater-flashing-guide/): A MeshCore repeater is one of the easiest ways to improve a MeshCore network once your basic devices are already working. If your MeshCore nodes are too far apart, blocked by terrain, or struggling to reach each other through buildings and trees, a repeater can help bridge that gap. Instead of being the device you […]
- [Using an E-Paper Display with an ESP32-C3: Text, MQTT Data and a Simple Logo](https://jrattechworks.com/using-an-e-paper-display/): E-paper displays are a great option for small projects where the information does not need to update constantly. They are not fast like an LCD or OLED screen, but that is also part of the appeal. Once an e-paper display refreshes, it can hold the image on screen without constantly redrawing it. That makes it […]
- [Air Quality Sensor STL](https://jrattechworks.com/air-quality-sensor-stl/): Air Quality Sensor STL If you want to build the complete project, see my DIY air quality sensor for Home Assistant using an ESP32-C5.
- [Best Sensors for Water Tank Monitoring](https://jrattechworks.com/best-sensors-for-water-tank-monitoring/): If you want a reliable water tank sensor, the sensor type matters more than most people think. On paper, a lot of options sound good. In real installs, some are simple and dependable, while others become annoying once you add condensation, dirty water, insects, awkward tank lids, long cable runs, or outdoor weather. That is […]
- [Best Low-Power Boards for Battery Projects: What to Buy in 2026](https://jrattechworks.com/best-low-power-boards-for-battery-projects/): Picking the best low-power boards for battery projects sounds simple until you actually start building. One board has Wi-Fi but chews through a battery faster than you expected. Another sleeps beautifully but makes wireless and Home Assistant integration harder than it should be. A third looks perfect on paper, then turns out to need extra […]
- [Home Assistant Infrared: How to Control TVs, Air Conditioners, and Other IR Devices](https://jrattechworks.com/home-assistant-infrared/): Infrared feels like old tech, but that is exactly why it is still useful. There is a lot of gear around the house that works perfectly fine but never got proper smart home support. TVs, air conditioners, sound bars, and pedestal fans are good examples. They still rely on a handheld remote, which usually means […]
- [Best Zigbee Dongle for Home Assistant in 2026](https://jrattechworks.com/best-zigbee-dongle-for-home-assistant/): If you are building out a smart home with Home Assistant, sooner or later you will run into the same question a lot of people do: which Zigbee dongle should you actually buy? On the surface, they all seem fairly similar. They are usually small, they plug in over USB, and they all promise to […]
- [Home Assistant Green vs Mini PC: Which Should You Buy?](https://jrattechworks.com/home-assistant-green-vs-mini-pc/): If you are trying to decide between Home Assistant Green and a mini PC for Home Assistant, the right choice mostly comes down to one thing: Do you want the easiest possible setup, or do you want more flexibility and room to grow? Home Assistant Green is built to be the simple option. It comes […]
- [DIY Air Quality Sensor for Home Assistant Using an ESP32-C5](https://jrattechworks.com/diy-air-quality-sensor/): Indoor air quality is one of those things you usually do not think about until a room starts feeling off. Maybe the air feels heavy. Maybe you have been sitting in a closed office for a few hours and cannot work out why you feel flat. Maybe you have just cooked dinner, used a cleaning […]
- [What Is Zigbee? A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Zigbee Smart Homes](https://jrattechworks.com/what-is-zigbee-smart-home-guide/): If you are trying to work out what Zigbee is, the simple answer is this: Zigbee is a low-power wireless standard designed for smart home and IoT devices like sensors, plugs, buttons, lights, and motion detectors. It is built around reliable local communication and mesh networking, which is a big reason so many people use […]
- [Best MeshCore Devices in 2026: Which Radio Should You Buy?](https://jrattechworks.com/best-meshcore-devices/): If you are getting into MeshCore, the device you choose matters more than most people expect. Some boards are cheap and easy to start with. Some are better suited to fixed installs. Others make more sense for tracking, better battery life, or fully standalone off-grid messaging. That is what makes buying a MeshCore device a […]
- [ESP32-C5 Explained: Features, 5 GHz Wi-Fi, ESPHome Support, and Whether It’s Worth Using in 2026](https://jrattechworks.com/esp32-c5-explained/): The ESP32-C5 matters because it fills a gap that had been missing in the ESP32 family for a long time. Most ESP32 boards people know run on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only. That is fine for plenty of projects, but it can become frustrating in crowded homes, apartment blocks, offices, and workshops where 2.4 GHz is […]
- [MeshCore Explained: A Complete Guide to LoRa Mesh Networking](https://jrattechworks.com/meshcore-lora-mesh-network-guide/): Over the last few years, LoRa, short for “long range,” has become one of the most popular technologies for building long-distance, low-power wireless communication systems. Unlike Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, LoRa is designed for kilometer-scale communication using very little power. This makes it ideal for applications like: One project that has recently gained attention in the […]
- [MeshCore vs Meshtastic: Which LoRa Mesh Platform Is Better for Real-World Use?](https://jrattechworks.com/meshcore-vs-meshtastic/): MeshCore and Meshtastic are both LoRa-based mesh communication projects, but they are not trying to create the exact same experience. At a high level, both let you send messages across radio nodes without relying on mobile coverage or normal internet infrastructure. The difference is in how they approach that job. Meshtastic is designed to be […]
- [The Best Mini PC for Home Assistant in 2026](https://jrattechworks.com/best-mini-pc-for-home-assistant/): You do not need a powerful computer to run Home Assistant. For a dedicated Home Assistant OS installation, even a basic Intel N100 or N150 mini PC is already more than capable. The bigger reasons to choose one machine over another are its storage, USB ports, networking, noise and how easy it will be to […]
- [CN3791 MPPT Solar Li-ion/LiPo Charging Boards: what they are and how to use them safely](https://jrattechworks.com/cn3791-mppt-solar-charger/): Quick Summary A CN3791 MPPT board is a small module built around the CN3791 lithium battery charger IC. It is designed to charge a single-cell Li-ion or LiPo battery from a solar panel (or another DC source), while trying to keep the panel operating near its “sweet spot” for power. Use it when If you’re […]
- [Water Tank Pressure Sensor STL](https://jrattechworks.com/water-tank-pressure-sensor-stl/): Water Tank Pressure Sensor STL If you want to build the complete project, see my solar-powered water tank monitor using Home Assistant.
- [ESP32-S3 in the real world: when it’s the right ESP32 (and when it isn’t)](https://jrattechworks.com/esp32-s3-guide/): Ever built a “simple” ESP32 project that almost works, until you add a screen, camera, audio, or a pile of sensors? Suddenly you are fighting memory limits, flaky uploads, and resets that only show up once you think you are done. That is where the ESP32-S3 earns its keep. It is not the cheapest ESP32, […]
- [Should You Build It or Buy It? A Practical Smart Home Guide](https://jrattechworks.com/should-you-build-it-or-buy-it/): There’s a point in every smart home journey where you hit the same question: Do I build this myself… or do I just buy the thing that already exists? And honestly, the answer isn’t “DIY everything” or “never DIY”. The best setups I’ve seen (and built) are usually a mix: you buy the stuff that […]
- [Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 2: What it is, what it can run, and who it’s for](https://jrattechworks.com/raspberry-pi-ai-hat-2/): Raspberry Pi’s original AI add-ons (the AI Kit and AI HAT+) were built to accelerate computer vision workloads: object detection, pose estimation, segmentation, and similar “camera-first” models. The new Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ 2 is the first Raspberry Pi add-on aimed squarely at on-device generative AI on a Raspberry Pi 5. At a high level, […]
- [ESP32 vs Arduino vs Raspberry Pi: Which One Should You Use?](https://jrattechworks.com/esp32-vs-arduino-vs-raspberry-pi/): If you’re new to DIY electronics, it’s easy to lump ESP32, Arduino and Raspberry Pi together. They can all sit on a workbench with sensors and wires hanging off them, but they suit quite different jobs. The short version is: To keep this practical, here are three boards people commonly compare. If you already know […]
- [Top 10 IoT Projects for Beginners (That You Can Actually Build)](https://jrattechworks.com/iot-projects-for-beginners/): If you’re new to IoT, it’s easy to get stuck in the “what should I build first?” loop. The best beginner projects have a few things in common: they solve a real problem, they don’t require complex wiring, and you get a result quickly (a dashboard, an alert, or something in your home that works […]
- [Matter Cameras Are Finally Here, and SmartThings Is First to Make Them Useful](https://jrattechworks.com/matter-camera-support-smartthings-2026/): How the Matter 1.5 update and Samsung’s move shift the smart home landscape For the first time in the smart home standard’s history, cameras are becoming a true cross-brand, interoperable category, and Samsung’s SmartThings platform is at the forefront of that change. In December 2025, SmartThings announced it now supports Matter 1.5, making it the […]
- [Shelly launches a new wall display and control panel, with Home Assistant users firmly in mind](https://jrattechworks.com/shelly-wall-display-x2i-control-panel/): Shelly has announced a new wall-mounted smart display and control panel, aimed at becoming a central, always-on interface for smart homes. Unlike generic wall tablets, this one is clearly designed to live inside the smart home ecosystem from day one, with a strong local-control and integration focus that will appeal to Home Assistant users. The […]
- [Zigbee 4.0 and Suzi announced: phone-based setup and new Sub-GHz options are on the way](https://jrattechworks.com/zigbee-4-0-suzi-announced/): The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has announced Zigbee 4.0 alongside Suzi, a new brand for Zigbee’s long-range Sub-GHz capability. The headline features are the ones smart home users have been asking for: easier onboarding, stronger security, and the option to move beyond crowded 2.4 GHz in the future. This was announced on 18 November 2025, […]
- [IKEA announces a new Matter-compatible smart home range: 21 new devices across lights, sensors, and control](https://jrattechworks.com/ikea-matter-smart-home-range-2026/): IKEA has announced a fresh wave of smart home gear, and it’s a big shift in direction: 21 new products built to work with Matter, the cross-brand smart home standard. The range is focused on the basics that most people actually use day to day, lighting, sensors, and simple controls. What makes this announcement worth […]
- [mmWave Radar Enclosure STL](https://jrattechworks.com/mmwave-radar-enclosure-stl/): mmWave Radar Enclosure STL If you want to build the complete project, see my mmWave radar for Home Assistant build guide.
- [10 Electronics Starter Kit Essentials for Beginners](https://jrattechworks.com/electronics-starter-kit-essentials-for-beginners/): Getting into DIY electronics and maker projects is exciting… until you realise how easy it is to waste money. If you’ve ever searched for “electronics starter kit” and ended up staring at pages of random components, overpriced bundles, or tools you’re not even sure you need, you’re not alone. Most beginner makers don’t fail because […]
- [How to Build a mmWave Radar for Home Assistant](https://jrattechworks.com/building-a-mmwave-radar/): If you’ve ever had your smart lights or plugs turn off the second you get comfortable on the couch, you’ve hit the limits of a basic PIR sensor. That was my living room for a while. A standard PIR motion sensor was controlling the smart plug for our Christmas tree through Home Assistant. As soon […]
- [ZimaBlade 7700 as a Home Assistant Server: ZimaBlade 7700 Review](https://jrattechworks.com/zimablade-7700-review/): If your Home Assistant setup is starting to outgrow a Raspberry Pi, the ZimaBlade 7700 is an interesting middle ground. It’s a tiny, silent x86 board that promises NAS-style features without the size, noise, or power draw of a full mini PC. I’ve been running Home Assistant on the ZimaBlade 7700 for a few days, […]
- [Smart LED Light Bar STL Download](https://jrattechworks.com/smart-led-light-bar-stl-download/): Smart LED Light Bar STL Download If you want to build the complete project, see my smart LED light bar with ESP32, WLED and Home Assistant.
- [Home Assistant for Beginners: A Simple Getting Started Guide](https://jrattechworks.com/home-assistant-for-beginners/): If you’ve got a couple of smart bulbs, a plug or two and maybe a random Wi-Fi camera, you’ve probably already hit the point where juggling five different apps is just annoying. That’s where Home Assistant comes in. Home Assistant is an open-source smart home platform that runs on your own hardware and pulls everything […]
- [Water Tank Sensor STL Download](https://jrattechworks.com/water-tank-sensor-stl-download/): Water Tank Sensor STL Download If you want to build the complete project, see my water tank level sensor using ESPHome and Home Assistant.
- [Solar-Powered Water Tank Monitor using Home Assistant](https://jrattechworks.com/tank-level-pressure-sensor/): If you’re on tank water, the “how much is left?” question isn’t just curiosity. In summer especially, running low can turn into a very annoying problem very quickly, and water deliveries are something you want to organise early, not after the pressure drops mid-shower. For ages, checking our tank meant walking outside and climbing a […]
- [mmWave Sensors: What They Are and How to Use Them with ESP32](https://jrattechworks.com/mmwave-sensor/): If you’ve ever had lights turn off while you’re sitting perfectly still, you already know the problem mmWave sensors are trying to solve. Traditional PIR motion sensors only see movement. Sit on the couch too long, stop waving your arms, and as far as the sensor is concerned, you’ve left the room. A mmWave presence […]
- [ESP32-C3 Beginner’s Guide for Home Projects](https://jrattechworks.com/esp32-c3-explained/): The ESP32-C3 has quietly become one of the best choices for DIY smart home projects, especially if you care about low power, battery powered sensors and compact enclosures. It’s small, efficient, and still gives you Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so it slots nicely into things like water tank level sensors, environmental monitors and little smart controllers. […]
- [ESP32 Deep Sleep Explained: How to Get Real Battery Life](https://jrattechworks.com/esp32-deep-sleep-explained/): If you’ve ever built a battery powered ESP32 sensor, you’ve probably had this moment: you wire it up, flash your code, it works perfectly on the bench… then the battery is flat in a day or two. The fix almost always comes down to one thing: using ESP32 deep sleep properly. In this post we’ll […]
- [How to Power DIY Outdoor Sensors: USB, Batteries or Solar?](https://jrattechworks.com/how-to-power-diy-outdoor-sensors/): When you build DIY outdoor sensors – tank level monitors, weather stations, garden sensors, shed monitors – the electronics are usually the easy bit. The hard part is deciding how to power the thing so it keeps running when you’re not there. Do you just plug it in with USB? Run it off a battery? […]
- [What Is ESPHome? How It Works with ESP32 and Home Assistant](https://jrattechworks.com/what-is-esphome/): ESPHome is a way to build firmware for ESP32 and other supported microcontrollers using YAML instead of writing the whole program yourself. It is especially popular with Home Assistant because sensors, switches, lights and other entities can be exposed directly through ESPHome’s native API. If you build DIY smart home devices, that cuts out a […]
- [ESP32-C6: A Practical Guide for DIY Smart Home Projects](https://jrattechworks.com/esp32-c6-a-practical-guide/): The ESP32-C6 is one of the newer members of the ESP32 family, and it’s built with modern smart homes in mind. It packs Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth Low Energy, and an 802.15.4 radio into one chip, which means it can work with today’s Wi-Fi setups and the newer mesh networks used by protocols like Thread and […]
- [ESP32 Beginner’s Guide for Home Projects](https://jrattechworks.com/beginners-guide-to-esp32/): New to ESP32? This beginner guide covers which board to choose, ESPHome setup, first projects, common mistakes and the main ESP32 variants.
- [How to Build a Smart LED Light Bar With ESP32, WLED and Home Assistant](https://jrattechworks.com/smart-led-light-bar/): If you’ve been hunting for a tall, slim, smart LED light bar and nothing off-the-shelf quite fits, building your own is a solid option. With a 3D printer, an ESP32, and a simple LED driver board, you can make a custom bar that fits your setup perfectly and integrates with WLED and Home Assistant. This […]
- [Water Tank Level Sensor (ESPHome + Home Assistant)](https://jrattechworks.com/water-tank-level-sensor/): If you’ve ever wondered whether your water tank is about to run dry, but couldn’t be bothered climbing a ladder or shining a torch in at night, this DIY water tank level sensor project is for you. In this build I’m using an ESP32-C3, a waterproof ultrasonic sensor and a small solar/battery setup to measure […]

## Pages

- [Home](https://jrattechworks.com/): ESP32 • Home Assistant • LoRa • DIY Electronics DIY Electronics, Smart Home Projects and Real Builds I build and document the projects I use at home, from ESP32 sensors and LoRa nodes to Home Assistant, custom PCBs and 3D printed parts. Each write-up includes the details I needed while I was building it: wiring, […]
- [News](https://jrattechworks.com/news/): Useful smart home and electronics news, explained for makers—from Matter and Zigbee updates to new hardware worth watching.
- [Reviews](https://jrattechworks.com/reviews/): Independent, practical reviews and buying guides for Home Assistant hardware, ESP32 boards, LoRa radios and other DIY tech.
- [Contact](https://jrattechworks.com/contact/): Contact Looking for a guide first? Browse the latest DIY electronics and smart home projects.
- [About](https://jrattechworks.com/about/): About J-Rat Techworks Hey, I’m Kane, the guy behind J-Rat Techworks. I put together real-world smart home and electronics builds, from sensors to custom lights and little boards with brains, and show you exactly how I wired them, programmed them and tied them into the rest of the system. What this site is about J-Rat […]
- [Blog](https://jrattechworks.com/blog/): Practical guides to ESP32, Home Assistant, LoRa, Zigbee and DIY electronics, with clear explanations, tested advice and real-world lessons.
- [Projects](https://jrattechworks.com/projects/): Follow complete DIY electronics and smart home builds, including wiring, code, parts and troubleshooting from projects tested in the real world.
- [Privacy Policy](https://jrattechworks.com/privacy-policy/): Who we areJ-Rat Techworks (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates this website. Website: https://jrattechworks.comContact email: jrat.official@gmail.comLast updated: 14/12/2025 What this policy covers This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share personal information when you visit our website, leave a comment, contact us, or subscribe to our emails. We have a worldwide audience. Privacy laws can […]

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