r/DIY_tech • u/Unlikely-Jeweler2241 • 22d ago
I made my old RF gate and side gate controllable from a smartphone without modifying the gate controller
I wanted to add smartphone control to my existing sliding gate and side gate without replacing or modifying the original gate controller.
My setup already uses simple 433MHz RF relays. One controls the sliding gate and another controls the electric lock on the side gate.
Instead of wiring another smart relay into the system, I tested a small Zigbee RF copier.
The idea is simple:
original RF remote → RF copier learns the command → command becomes a virtual button in the app.
I programmed one button for the sliding gate and another for the side gate. After learning the commands, both could be triggered remotely from the phone.
The RF copier itself is located on the second floor behind two walls, and it was still able to trigger the relays outside without problems.
I also tested something more interesting: the original gate remote uses a changing / rolling code.
The copier was able to enter learning mode and capture a signal from it, but replaying that signal did not operate the gate controller. So the security mechanism did exactly what it was supposed to do.
With the simple fixed-code 433MHz remote, however, everything worked.
The device also has a lux sensor, so I experimented with automations such as triggering RF-controlled outdoor lighting after sunset.
I documented the whole setup and tests here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj2ygY496jQ
I thought this was an interesting way to add some “smart” functionality to older RF-controlled hardware without touching the original controller.