Hi Grant
Been thinking about the Panic button in case someone did lock themselves inside and coming from an industrial electrical background i dont think i would be happy totally relying on the electronics to function to unlock the lid in this situation…Have attached a pic of how i think might bea better solution…
I had that thought too which is why I rejiggered the panic switch idea and used a 12v latching push button with a backlight. I have yet to complete that integration as I am going to be building that into my custom designed control board. I don’t have a schematic drawn up but it’s basically like this…
The actuator is 12v at about 1A when it is running. The switch is rated at much higher than that, though it won’t be passing any kind of amperage, and it will get a direct 12v feed. I plan to install a set of 25A automotive relays that the outputs from the regular relays for the actuator passes through on the normally closed side (I actually have a package that I can’t recall off the top of my head that is for 240v, 30A that is around $4per that I planned to use, and it is through hole). As long as the button is released, the “panic” relays are idle and allow the microcontrollers relay outputs to pass through and all works normal. If the button is pushed (and subsequently latched) it will power those panic relays and close them to the NO side and one side will have +12v and the other GND. That will totally bypass any output from the other relays and force the actuator to unlock. Because it has an internal limit switch, it will go full stroke and just shut off. As long as the panic button is latched, it will continue to bypass the other relay outputs until the battery goes dead, at which time, the microcontroller won’t be able to do anything anyway. Resetting that panic mode actuation will be as easy as pressing the button again to unlatch the switch, releasing the panic relays and allowing for full electrical control from the regular control relays.
The panic function is two fold anyway. The primary element is a PIR sensor mounted in the lid of the controller box. It is coded so that once the box is locked down, it is regularly polled and if it is activated by either heat signature or movement, it will trigger the STATE_UNLOCKING part of the code and unlock the box. The lid can be opened at that point and because that operation turns the package flag to TRUE, the box will think that it was opened from the outside and just wait for the lid to close and reset the package flag to FALSE and be ready for another… whatever. Package or stupid person.
Barring that, if all else fails, the latching pushbutton is also going to be on that lid and can be pushed to force an unlock manually/electrically. It’s backlight will be on all the time so even in the dark, the switch can be seen.
Once I get all the code fleshed out so changing hardware isn’t going to be an issue, I am going to design a receiver board that has all the relays on it… interior lights, lock and unlock and panic control. It will also have a watchdog circuit and connection points for all of the possible options I have built in to the controller. I plan to use ( for version 1 at least) the same ESP32 dev board I am using now and just plug that onto the receiver board as the “brain”. That way if someone has an issue, they can either source that board and reflash with the available code or I can send them a preflashed one and they just pop out the old one and in with the new. Power it up and it is like… same old used.
I saw your drawing with the padlock on it but didn’t get a chance to digest it before I had to shut down the computer and head home. Just took another look at it and that is kinda cool. From outward appearances, the box will look locked shut but will only be so when the actuator pin is through the internal tabs. NICE! 
Hi Grant, After purchasing a 2 inch and 4 inch stroke linear actuator i decided to purchase a commercial parcel box …My wife was,nt too keen on having a gang box sitting at our front door and i was,nt confident that the mods to the tab would work reliably …I,ll start a new thread once i have it ready …as i want to put some electronics on it 
…Frank
They say most of the battle in creating something unique and functional is creativity. I say it is mostly getting the partner to agree it can stay. I was out doing some parcel vault googling and found some interesting stuff. Some of it is designed to blend in with the environment. Some of it is to be blatantly obvious that it is a package receptacle. Most are just flimsy crap that anybody with a butter knife could get into. But the couple I saw that were to blend in were SERIOUSLY expensive! I definitely think that the gang box concept could use a little… classing up… but for security, it is stellar! I saw one that is basically a chest refrigerator with a plastic box over it. Has keypad, wifi access, allows you to set a temp for each access code issued for delivery drivers so it can be at the right temp for grocery deliveries… Holy crap! But it’s gonna cost ya!
Keep us posted on the modifications you make to the commercial box. Everything I have been doing can be adapted to any box configuration for the most part. That is what I am trying to accomplish with this project - grab a container and make it smart and secure!
hey @Guru_Of_Nothing!
I’ve read my email today and find this on hackster.
I’ve though of you immediatly
Just for you to grab some ideas and or examples.
Its is pretty neat…
Yeah, I went and looked at it. It’s pretty cool. We are really kind of on a parallel path as far as the projects go. He has far less into it than I do cost wise for sure 
But he did say at the end of his article that it could use a metal container and things like that. I love how in the Maker world we all are trying to find fixes to problems and its a global issue we are addressing. I sent him a message to share this vault project with him so hopefully it will be of help to him as well. He gave me some ideas so I think it’s fair 
In the mix of ALL the other stuff I am doing, I have an HID card reader and a secure keypad I want to get integrated into the project. Just haven’t had the time to get serious about it.
Hi Grant
Hows your package vault working out ?? Are the delivery guys using it ???.
Yes they are! It is working well. I have another update to the sketch to add that I haven’t had time to do yet. I have a pile of stuff to add sitting on.my bench. HiD card reader, keypad… fun stuff! But yeah…I have not had a single delivery misplaced and/or stolen so I call this a success! I am hoping to have a preliminary design figured out for a custom board for this by maybe the end of the year.
Cool…Looking forward to more updates…I want to make a pcb for my Break Beam setup , just hope i get on to it after i install the Box…i have a tendency to jump to the next project and have several half finished projects LOL !!!..
That is exactly my problem. I have dozen projects in the mix and none of them are “complete”. Working… but not finished. And they are interconnected so when I come up with a new concept to integrate I have to redo all of them.i am looking forward to seeing yours installed with the first packge!
The FLProg program has the ability to connect ESP to Kascada Cloud and monitor and manage remotely using the HMI-Kascada application .
I was watching your video on youtube and when I saw the size of your box, the first thing I thought of was, he needs to put a latch release inside the box in case some kid locks himself inside by mistake. Just like an abandoned refrigerator, your box is a kid magnet. Imagine how thrilled I was when a few seconds later you said the exact same thing. I guess great minds really do think alike;-)
Truely, your project is one of the best concept to implementation projects I have seen in a while. Great effort. I am inspired to get off my butt and finish some of my projects. So many projects, so little time!
Yeah. The implementation for the “dumb kid locked in the box” (aka, panic protocol) has been initially tested and is being designed into the current board… pretty much as we speak 
It has 2 levels. The first is a PIR sensor that tells the controller to unlock and go into the retrieval mode. So it unlocks and waits for the lid to be opened. Once opened, it resets to normal receiving mode. It will just keep resetting and checking for motion. Being as there is always a possibility for that system to fail, there is a second stage. That is a backlit 19mm LATCHING pushbutton with a red power symbol on it. The LED is lit all the time and it is part of the relay board and bypasses ALL of the controller stuff. When pushed, it latches and sends power signal to the unlock relay and won’t allow the system to be reactivated until cleared, tested and reset.
In addition to those two, the camera is a WYZE cam and has motion detection as well as audio event recording and notification so when there is motion, you are notified via smartphone within seconds of the event. So you will know there is someone in there and can start planning appropriately.
The current version of the box is definitely large enough to attract a kid but the next gen version is a much smaller box (using the same controller) and won’t be as much of a potential draw.
EDIT: The latching pushbutton is inside the box on the controller cabinet so it will be visible to whomever is inside when the lid is closed. Forgot to mention that
I also am in the process of building my own mail box. Not so much for having mail stolen, but I sometimes travel and I hate putting the mail on “Hold” at the local post office. A real pain. I am using the outer design from the picture below and replacing the mail box insert with a 12x12 opening. The inside dimensions will be 12"x12"x45". I could go bigger, but I do not need to. Power will be supplied from the house to the mail box to power the cameras and IR high output LEDs. Will have (3) 12VDC 12Ah security batteries inside the base as a power back up feature. The SOLAR will keep them topped off. The video will be motion activated, and added to my existing security DVR. I am also thinking of adding a microphone and speaker to talk to the mail person (politically correct term).
The features:
Outside: Brick design (actually only 3/4" thick [19mm])
Inter Wall: 16x8x4 concrete blocks (waterproof coating)
Inter shell: Aluminum shell (12"x12"x45")
Door Front: Lockable (electronic), Hinged pull down type (see picture for design) Will automatically lock between 6PM and 9AM. Will have remote control using Home Automation system.
Rear Access Door: Lockable (electronic & key), hinged 12x12"
Glass Blocks: 1 row of glass blocks with high intensity IR lights behind each side
CCTV cameras: 1 per side (may drill out glass or bricks… still not sure… leaning toward bricks as the recessed camera lens will not be that noticeable. Not a big WiFi camera fan for security cameras.
Top side will be SOLAR panel for 3 12Ah security batteries as a backup feature
Open/Close sensor to trigger my Home Automation system/send text message. I will have a 1.5" (35mm) PVC pipe in the bottom for cables.
Wife thinks I have gone over the deep end. The local police will be happy, as they have already come over to the house on multiple occasions and reviewed my homes Security DVR recordings with me to find the occasional neighborhood lawbreakers (car theft, home robberies). There are not many at all, but it feels good that I can help. In return they keep a watch on my house and they always wave when they pass… just want to keep me happy.
Optional:
That is absolutely awesome @ElectronicsNut!!! I like the concept and the application. I think it’s great that more people are taking the opportunity to create smart boxes and collection vaults. I also think it is great that you are taking proactive steps to help the local law enforcement curb crime in your neighborhood. It doesn’t take but one thief to make everyone feel unsafe and it happens in even the best of neighborhoods (it just attracts higher tech thieves). I love the auto lock out after 6PM. Most mail thefts happen late at night when people have not picked up their mail. My wife thought I had lost it as well until she saw how beneficial it has become. She has even started ordering more stuff online because of the convenience and we now have a device that will securely store her purchases until we can retrieve them. Definitely a something that has gotten the neighbors talking… in a good way of course They are all happy that I have a camera system at the road and am the first one on our little rural street so anyone that comes in, is on camera, regardless of where they are headed.
Cool Project , keep us posted on updates …
That box is great. I know that the size is a concern for a munchkin somehow getting into the box and I thought that maybe add 2 small vent holes and one with a small PC fan to bring in fresh air, run by a small small SOLAR panel. Safety first.
Just a thought.
I installed linear actuators under my RV’s bed so that the wife does not have to strain to get to the under bed storage. After seeing your box, I am now thinking of modifying my mail box design to include a top with a linear actuator to open it and give me access to work on the interior of the mail box.
Yes… safety first most definitely! I have a safety system in place both with the controller and a relay bypass. There is no rim seal on the box…I removed it, and it isn’t needed anyway… so getting fresh air in is not a problem. The box should sense warm movement and unlock. If it doesn’t, there is a well lit button that can be used from the inside and the camera sends immediate movement alarms to your phone so there are 3 systems in place to warn/protect in that situation.
