I built a visitor counter

[SmartAlecLights]

Ive been looking into them Pax Counters.
https://github.com/ThingPulse/esp32-gateway-paxcounter/
https://github.com/cyberman54/ESP32-Paxcounter

But I wanna use different hardware (Im want POE Counters)
So i choose the WT32-Eth01 module.
Argued with Claude AI for a couple of day's.
Ended up Producing this code to use in the Arduino IDE (Needs PubSub and NeoPixel)
https://smartaleclights.com.au/acl/wt32_paxcounter.ino
The POE Splitter handles the 48v down to 5v


Feel free to use it and edit it as you please

After Testing, I noticed that the 5G network wasn't being picked up.
So the next lots of parts i will be testing is the ESP32-C5 with the W5500 module.
Example of MQTT output.
Someone could make a FPP plug-in for it as well!

 

[PixelProject]

Very clever, some of you guys are unbelievable in the things you come out with!

 

[sharp_crane72]

Very clever, some of you guys are unbelievable in the things you come out with!

It’s pretty neat seeing projects like this come together, especially when they solve a real display-season problem rather than just being a gadget for the sake of it. A PoE-based counter would be a tidy way to deploy a few around a property without worrying about power points or Wi-Fi coverage.

I’m keen to see how the ESP32-C5 testing goes too, especially if it improves the 5GHz side of things. Could be a really useful little build for anyone wanting rough visitor numbers during show nights.

 

[Notenoughlights]

I just built one of these with the Cyberman pax counter software. I ran it on a lilygo T PoE Pro board. I had to solder on an antenna socket and move the resistor that was smaller than an ants foot to another set of pads, but it works brilliant bringing data into Home assistant very well.