Aquarium Auto Controller Kit with ESP32 + Camera
ESP32 Aquarium Auto Controller: Face Recognition Security That Guards Your Tank
Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.
An aquarium is an investment in beauty and biology, but access control remains a gap most hobbyists ignore. This kit solves that by putting real-time facial recognition directly on an ESP32-S3 — no cloud, no subscription, just an OV2640 camera running ESP-DL models that enrol and recognise up to five faces. When a match occurs, a solenoid lock releases, and every event gets a timestamped log written to an SD card. You are building a standalone security node that thinks at the edge.
What You'll Build
You will build a complete aquarium access controller that mounts inside the included enclosure box. The ESP32-S3 runs a lightweight face enrolment pipeline using the OV2640 camera module. Enrolled faces are stored and matched locally via ESP-DL. A successful match triggers the 5V relay module, which pulses the solenoid lock — granting access to tank maintenance hatches or equipment cabinets. Every unlock event, along with the RTC timestamp from the DS3231, is written to a microSD card. The 0.96-inch OLED displays real-time status, recognised face ID, and system health.
What You'll Learn
- Deploying TensorFlow Lite Micro models on ESP32-S3 using ESP-DL inference engine
- Integrating OV2640 camera capture with face detection and recognition pipelines
- Controlling high-current inductive loads (solenoid lock) with relay modules and flyback diodes
- Implementing timestamped event logging to SD cards with DS3231 real-time clock synchronisation
Kit Contents
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| ESP32-S3 Dev Board | 1 |
| OV2640 Camera Module | 1 |
| 5V Solenoid Lock | 1 |
| 5V Relay Module | 1 |
| DS3231 RTC | 1 |
| MicroSD Module | 1 |
| 0.96in OLED | 1 |
| LM2596 Buck Converter | 1 |
| 1N4007 Diode | 5 |
| 4.7kΩ Resistors | 5 |
| 100nF Caps | 10 |
| PCB Prototype Board | 2 |
| Enclosure Box | 1 |
| 5V 3A PSU | 1 |
| Soldering Iron | 1 |
| Solder Wire | 1 |
Why Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately
| Factor | Sourcing Separately | Compoden Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility checks | You verify every part | Pre-tested as a system |
| Build support | Forums and scattered tutorials | AI companion trained on this exact project |
| Time to first working build | Days of debugging | Hours, with step-by-step guidance |
| Shipping coordination | Multiple sellers, multiple delays | One shipment from Bengaluru in 3-5 days |
Who This Kit Is For
This kit fits B.Tech ECE and CSE students pursuing final-year projects in embedded AI or IoT security. It is also directly relevant for Smart India Hackathon teams working on hardware-based access control problem statements. Makers at IIT, NIT, VIT, and BITS who want a non-cloud biometric system will find the ESP-DL framework practical and deployable. Advanced aquarium hobbyists who maintain high-value tanks with restricted access requirements will use this daily.
Built and Backed by Compoden
Every Compoden kit ships with an AI build companion trained on this exact project — accessible via a QR code on the box, with WhatsApp and email backup. We've spent 10 years building projects for makers, schools, and institutions across India. If a part fails because of a manufacturing defect, replace it free within 7 days.
What if I get stuck during the build?
Scan the QR code on the enclosure box for the AI companion trained on this specific project. It can walk you through wiring checks, ESP-DL model deployment errors, and relay debugging. WhatsApp support is also available for issues that need human diagnosis.
How many faces can this system recognise reliably?
The ESP-DL model is configured to enrol and recognise up to five distinct faces. Recognition accuracy remains above 95% under consistent indoor aquarium lighting conditions, which you can verify during enrolment through the OLED status display.
Will the solenoid lock drain my aquarium's backup battery?
The solenoid draws current only during the brief unlock pulse triggered by a face match. The 1N4007 flyback diode suppresses voltage spikes, and the relay isolates the ESP32-S3 logic from the lock circuit. Idle consumption is under 150mA, safe for most DC backup arrangements.
Can I access the face recognition logs without removing the SD card?
Logs are written directly to the microSD module. For real-time monitoring, you can extend the firmware to stream event data over ESP32-S3's built-in WiFi to a local dashboard. The kit includes full source code to make this modification possible.
Aquarium Automation — OV2640 + ESP-DL face detection enrolls and recognises 5 faces. Solenoid lock controlled on match. Log to SD.
What's in this kit
Choose your assembly option:
- Soldering Kit — 25W soldering iron, 60/40 solder wire, flux, and small perfboard for permanent assembly.
- Breadboard Combo — 800-point full-size breadboard with 65-piece jumper wire pack for solderless prototyping.
Shipping Information
- Prepaid Orders: ₹75 for orders up to ₹999, FREE shipping above ₹999
- COD Orders: ₹125 shipping + ₹50 COD fee = ₹175 total
- Delivery Timeline: Dispatch in 1-2 days, delivery in 2-7 days depending on location
Returns & Warranty
- 7-Day Return: Manufacturing defects only (approval required)
- Warranty: 7 days from delivery
- Non-Returnable: Batteries, consumables, cut wires, clearance items