For this project, I used an RFID Cabinet Lock ($16.50) , a 5V Relay ($5.79) and a Ring Contact Sensor ($19.99). ($42.28... about $20 less than the Zipato which I don't think is being made anymore). If you use a stand-alone RFID reader ($14.99), it has a no/com/nc connection so you don’t need the relay. If you use that with the Monoprice sensor, you won’t need to solder because it has an input inside of it that could wire directly to the reader. I had an extra Ring on hand, so I used that. Anyway, back to my build….
I programmed the RFID Cabinet lock, took it apart and gutted out all the "lock" stuff. Keeping only the battery bay and the chip, cutting off the motor. When you scan a card, it opens then closes the lock. So, one motor terminal would be +, one -, then they’d swap to close. I determined that the white wire was + first, so that will be the trigger wire to minimize delay. (I guess you could keep the lock stuff in place if you are using this as a lock and just want a zwave notification added.... but I gutted it hoping I could fit the solenoid and maybe the little ring sensor inside the enclosure. (I couldn't, the solenoid was too chunky).
The relay needed 5VDC + / - and a trigger. So I added a jumper wire from the + and - on the battery box to the relay and connected the white wire to the trigger, “IN” terminal. The jumper was moved to “high” (to trigger off current versus: trigger off ground “Low” <- I think?
Taking apart the ring contact switch wasn’t too bad… small blade to get the plastic ring around the battery compartment exposed the board. I snapped off the reed switch pieces and soldered some wire from a chunk of CAT-V I had laying around.
I used the soldering iron to burn a hole through the cover of the ring for the wire (don’t do that, it stunk up my office). Use a drill or something and make a hole for the wire to run through.
I connected the other end of the wires from the ring to the COM and NC side of the relay.
Done. When I scan a card, I get a quick raw zwave command (open) followed by a closed command right after.
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Z-Wave Watcher Debug Raw command received (Node 46): 01 0F 00 04 00 2E 09 71 05 00 00 00 FF 07 02 00 5D
Z-Wave Watcher Debug Raw command received (Node 46): 01 10 00 04 00 2E 0A 71 05 00 00 00 FF 07 00 01 02 40
Using triggers, I can now make that card swipe do whatever I want. Unlock a zwave door lock, turn on a light, run a python script, etc.
What I used:
Ring Contact Sensor ($19.99): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZB2QLC2
RFID Cabinet Lock ($16.50): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FYF752P
5V Relay ($5.79 for 2, just need 1): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LW15A4W
Alternate:
Stand-alone RFID reader ($14.99): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X56ALEG <— With built in NO / COM / NC
Monoprice Contact Sensor w/ inputs ($34.99): https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15270
Other Relevant Products:
FingerPrint Lock ($25.98): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085PXZFGQ
Bluetooth Lock ($24.98): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZLYT2KH
12V RFID w/ Relay ($12.99): https://www.ebay.com/itm/251293660691
12V RFID w/o Relay (8.89): https://www.ebay.com/i/251735383852
5V electromagnet Solenoid ($9.99): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5OPUEC
(I thought maybe I could wire this in place of the motor and use the electric magnet to move the reed switch in the contact sensor.... I haven't tried that yet).
