Hardware Setup
Complete guide for physically installing and wiring Wala Works automation devices.
Safety First
⚠️ Important Safety Information:
- Always disconnect power before wiring
- Use appropriate gauge wires for current loads
- Follow local electrical codes
- For AC loads, consult a licensed electrician
- Test with low voltage before connecting motors
- Keep devices away from water and moisture
- Ensure proper ventilation for enclosed installations
MotorWala Setup
What's in the Box
- 1x MotorWala controller board
- 1x ESP32 module (pre-installed)
- 2x Terminal block connectors
- 1x Reset button
- 1x Status LED
- Quick start card
Power Requirements
- Input Voltage: 12-24V DC
- Current: 2A minimum, 5A recommended
- Motor Support: Up to 3A continuous
Compatible Power Supplies:
✅ 12V 5A DC adapter (recommended)
✅ 24V 3A DC adapter
✅ Adjustable bench power supply
❌ USB power bank (insufficient current)
❌ AC adapters without rectification
Terminal Block Connections
MotorWala has two terminal blocks:
Power Input Block:
┌──────────────────┐
│ [+12-24V] [GND] │
│ Red Black │
└──────────────────┘
Motor Output Block:
┌──────────────────┐
│ [M+] [M-] │
│ Red Black │
└──────────────────┘
Wiring Steps
Step 1: Connect Power Supply
- Strip wires - Remove 5mm of insulation
- Insert positive - Red wire into [+12-24V] terminal
- Insert ground - Black wire into [GND] terminal
- Tighten screws - Ensure secure connection
- Verify polarity - Double-check before powering
Power Supply MotorWala
┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐
│ + ─────────────────┤ +12-24V │
│ │ │ │
│ - ─────────────────┤ GND │
└─────────┘ └─────────┘
Step 2: Connect Motor
- Identify motor wires - Usually red (+) and black (-)
- Connect M+ - Motor positive to [M+] terminal
- Connect M- - Motor negative to [M-] terminal
- Test direction - Can be reversed if needed
Motor MotorWala
┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐
│ + ─────────────────┤ M+ │
│ │ │ │
│ - ─────────────────┤ M- │
└─────────┘ └─────────┘
Step 3: Power On
- Plug in power supply
- Check LED - Should blink rapidly (setup mode)
- Listen for motor - Should NOT move yet
- If LED doesn't light, check connections and polarity
Motor Types
Tubular Motors (Blinds/Curtains)
Most common for window treatments:
┌──────────────────────────────┐
│ Tubular Motor │
│ ┌────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Limit switches │ │
│ │ (built-in) │ │
│ └────────────────────┘ │
│ │ │ │ │
│ [+][−][PE] │
└──────────────────────────────┘
│ │
To MotorWala (M+, M-)
Wiring:
- Brown/Red → M+
- Black/Blue → M-
- Yellow/Green → Leave disconnected (PE/earth)
DC Geared Motors (Garage Doors/Gates)
For larger mechanisms:
Motor Specs:
- Voltage: 12-24V DC
- Current: < 3A
- Type: Brushed DC with gear reduction
Mounting:
- Secure motor to mechanism
- Install limit switches if needed
- Test manual operation first
- Connect to MotorWala
Linear Actuators
For windows, vents, or adjustable furniture:
Linear Actuator
- Stroke: 100-500mm
- Speed: 10-30mm/s
- Load: 50-500N
Setup:
- Mount actuator brackets
- Set mechanical stops
- Wire to MotorWala
- Calibrate full travel
Limit Switches (Optional)
For motors without built-in limits:
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ [Limit-Open]──┐ ┐──[Limit-Close]
│ │ │ │
│ MotorWala │
│ GPIO pins (advanced) │
└─────────────────────────────────┘
Wiring limit switches:
- Normally Open (NO) configuration
- Connect between GND and GPIO pins
- Configure in device settings
Troubleshooting
LED not lighting?
- Check power supply voltage (12-24V)
- Verify polarity (+ and -)
- Test power supply with multimeter
- Try different power outlet
Motor not moving?
- Verify motor works (test with power supply directly)
- Check current rating (< 3A)
- Ensure M+/M- connections are tight
- Try reversing motor wires
Motor runs backwards?
- Simply swap M+ and M- wires
- Or use "reverse direction" in software settings
Motor moves but position is wrong?
- Run calibration routine
- Check for mechanical slippage
- Verify encoder is working
- See Configuration
RelayWala Setup
What's in the Box
- 1x RelayWala controller board
- 1x ESP32 module (pre-installed)
- 1x 4-channel relay board
- 4x Terminal block connectors (per relay)
- Quick start card
Power Requirements
- Input Voltage: 12V DC
- Current: 500mA (controller + relays)
- Relay Rating: 10A @ 250V AC per channel
Compatible Power Supplies:
✅ 12V 1A DC adapter (recommended)
✅ 12V 2A DC adapter
❌ USB power (insufficient for relays)
Relay Specifications
Each of 4 channels:
- Contact Rating: 10A @ 250V AC / 30V DC
- Type: SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw)
- Isolation: Optical isolation for safety
- Contacts: COM, NO, NC per relay
Terminal Block Layout
Each relay has 3 terminals:
Relay 1: [COM] [NO] [NC]
Relay 2: [COM] [NO] [NC]
Relay 3: [COM] [NO] [NC]
Relay 4: [COM] [NO] [NC]
- COM (Common): Connect to power source
- NO (Normally Open): Closed when relay is ON
- NC (Normally Closed): Open when relay is ON
Wiring Examples
Example 1: Controlling Lights
AC Mains Relay Light
┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐
│ Live ├────────┤ COM │ │ │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ NO ├────────┤ Live │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│Neutral├────────────────────────┤Neutral│
└──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘
Example 2: Controlling Fan
AC Supply Relay Fan Motor
┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐
│ L ├────────┤ COM │ │ │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ NO ├────────┤ L │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ N ├────────────────────────┤ N │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ PE ├────────────────────────┤ PE │
└──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘
Example 3: Controlling Door Lock (12V DC)
12V Supply Relay Door Lock
┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐
│ + ├────────┤ COM │ │ │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ NO ├────────┤ + │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ - ├────────────────────────┤ - │
└──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘
Example 4: Reversible Motor (Using 2 Relays)
Relay 1 Relay 2
(Forward) (Reverse)
Motor 12V Supply
┌────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌────┐
│ M+ ├─────┤ NO │ │ NC ├─────┤ + │
│ │ │ COM ├──────────┤ COM │ │ │
│ M- ├─────┤ NC │ │ NO ├─────┤ - │
└────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └────┘
Logic:
- Relay 1 ON, Relay 2 OFF → Motor forward
- Relay 1 OFF, Relay 2 ON → Motor reverse
- Both OFF → Motor stopped
- Never turn both ON simultaneously!
Safety for AC Loads
⚠️ Working with AC Power:
- Always de-energize before wiring
- Use proper wire gauge:
- 10A load: minimum 18 AWG (1.0mm²)
- 5A load: minimum 20 AWG (0.5mm²)
- Never exceed ratings: 10A per relay maximum
- Use fuses: Install fuse on load side
- Proper enclosure: Use electrical box for AC wiring
- Ground everything: Connect PE/earth properly
- Get help: Hire electrician if unsure
Installation Steps
Step 1: Mount Device
-
Choose location:
- Near loads to control
- Dry, ventilated area
- Away from heat sources
- Accessible for maintenance
-
Mounting options:
- DIN rail (if using enclosure)
- Wall mount with screws
- Inside electrical panel (with electrician)
Step 2: Connect Power
12V Supply RelayWala
┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐
│ +12V ├─────┤ VCC │
│ │ │ │
│ GND ├─────┤ GND │
└─────────┘ └─────────┘
Step 3: Wire First Relay
- Plan circuit - Sketch wiring diagram
- Cut power - Turn off at breaker
- Test dead - Use non-contact voltage tester
- Connect COM - Live/hot wire from supply
- Connect NO - Wire to load
- Connect neutral - Direct to load
- Double-check - All connections tight
Step 4: Test Before Full Power
- Power on controller - 12V DC only
- Connect to WiFi - See Quick Start
- Test relay click - Should hear clicking
- Verify with multimeter - Check continuity
- Only then - Connect AC power
Step 5: Repeat for Other Relays
Wire remaining relays following same procedure.
Current Capacity Guidelines
| Load Type | Typical Current | Relay Channels Needed | |-----------|----------------|---------------------| | LED bulb | 0.1A | 1 | | CFL bulb | 0.2A | 1 | | Incandescent 60W | 0.5A | 1 | | Ceiling fan | 1-2A | 1 | | Water pump | 3-5A | 1 (with contactor) | | Space heater | 8-10A | 1 (max rating) | | Air conditioner | 10-15A | Use contactor* |
*For loads >10A, use relay to control a contactor/starter.
Advanced: Using Contactors
For high-current loads (>10A):
RelayWala Contactor Heavy Load
┌────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌──────────┐
│ Relay │ │ │ │ │
│ NO ├───┤ Coil │ │ 15A │
│ COM ├───┤ │ │ Motor │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ Contacts├──────┤ │
│ │ │ (30A) │ │ │
└────────┘ └─────────┘ └──────────┘
Setup:
- RelayWala controls contactor coil (< 1A)
- Contactor switches heavy load (up to 30A+)
- Provides additional safety isolation
Labeling
Label each relay clearly:
┌──────────────────────────┐
│ RelayWala │
│ │
│ R1: Living Room Lights │
│ R2: Kitchen Fan │
│ R3: Garage Door │
│ R4: Water Pump │
└──────────────────────────┘
Troubleshooting
Relay not clicking?
- Check 12V power supply
- Verify API command sent
- Check status LED on relay board
- Test relay board separately
Load not switching?
- Verify correct terminals (COM, NO)
- Check load power supply
- Test continuity with multimeter
- Ensure load works independently
Relay clicks but load intermittent?
- Tighten terminal screws
- Check wire gauge (may be too thin)
- Clean relay contacts
- Replace relay board if damaged
Multiple loads interfere?
- Ensure proper isolation between channels
- Check for voltage drop
- Use separate power supplies if needed
- Add snubber circuits for inductive loads
Next Steps
- Software Setup - Configure WiFi and integrations
- Configuration - Fine-tune device settings
- First Automation - Create your first automation
Safety first! When in doubt, consult a professional electrician.
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