Designed and built in South Africa

Automation that runs on site, monitored from anywhere.

MakeSense controllers read your sensors, execute the control logic you configure in the app, and switch the connected equipment: pumps, valves, fans, heaters, lighting and motors. All control runs on the controller. The cloud is used for monitoring, alerts and configuration.

See the hardware How it works

8relay outputs 6analog inputs 20 mslogic scan OTAwith rollback

Dam level ONLINE

72.4%

Tunnel 2 temp

26.8°C

Borehole pump · relay_1 AUTO

The hardware

PLC V1: a DIN-rail controller for field installations

Two ESP32-S3 processors share the work. One manages network communication and the other runs only the control program, so a network fault cannot interrupt control. I/O modules clip on to the side as the installation grows.

MakeSense PLC V1 with eight I/O modules clipped on

Supply and bus terminalsPower in and the link to other units
Status displayProgram state, readings and faults on site
4-way keypadLocal navigation and settings
Field terminalsSensors, switches and probes
Clip-on I/O modulesAdditional relays and inputs as required

Prototype renders. The production unit may differ.

Built-in safety

Defined fail-safe state per output: On, off or a fixed PWM level, applied automatically on a fault. Outputs without a setting de-energise.
Continuous fault monitoring: Program faults, stalled scan cycles and lost critical inputs move the affected outputs to their fail-safe state.
Latching faults: Optionally, faults are held until an operator acknowledges them instead of clearing on their own.
Separate control processor: Network traffic and the control program run on separate chips.
Watchdog supervision: A stalled task restarts the controller rather than leaving outputs in an unknown state.
Firmware updates with rollback: New firmware runs on trial and reverts to the previous version if it fails to check in.
Encrypted cloud connection: TLS with a pinned root certificate.
Fault status on every heartbeat: The app always shows the current fault state, even if an event message was lost.

Automations

Logic configured in the app, executed on the controller

Build programs on a visual canvas from gates, timers, comparators and latches, or set up simple condition rules. Once downloaded, the controller evaluates every input and updates every output every 20 ms, independent of the network connection.

analog signaldigital signal17 node types: gates, timers, hysteresis, latches, counters, ramps, weather

How it works

Local control with remote monitoring

All rules execute on the controller. If the network fails or load-shedding takes the router down, outputs keep following the program and readings are stored locally until the connection is restored.

Connect sensors, actuators and equipment to the controller terminals.
Configure rules and programs in the MakeSense app.
Monitor readings and receive alerts from anywhere.

Dashboard

Bottom dam ONLINE

72.4%

Tunnel 2

26.8°C

Borehole pump

OFF

Applications

For agricultural, industrial and residential sites

photo: tunnel interior

Tunnels and greenhouses

Ventilation opens above 28 °C and closes below 24 °C. Misting runs on a schedule, conditional on humidity.

temp > 28 °Cvents ON

photo: borehole + dam

Boreholes, dams and tanks

Pumping scheduled for off-peak tariffs, with a high-level cut-off and a stop on loss of the level signal.

22:00–05:00ANDtank < 90 %pump ON

photo: factory control panel

Factories and plant rooms

After-hours shutdown of compressors, extraction interlocked with machine operation, and alarms on motor trips.

motor tripalert

photo: home with solar

Homes and workshops

Geyser control from solar surplus, scheduled gate and garden lighting, and Home Assistant integration over MQTT.

solar > 2 kWgeyser ON

Product range

One platform, from a single sensor to a full pump station

render: controller, 3/4 viewConcept image

IN DEVELOPMENT

MakeSense Controller

Pre-wired enclosure. Terminal functions are assigned in the app.

8 relays · 6 analog in
24 / 12 / 5 V rails
8-channel I²C bus

your render goes here

IN DEVELOPMENT

PLC V1

DIN-rail controller with a status display and clip-on I/O modules.

2 × ESP32-S3, split by job
LCD, keypad, RUN/STOP
Expandable I/O modules

render: node on a tunnel postConcept image

FIRST BOARD BUILT

SenseNode

Compact sensor node for remote points in tunnels and sheds.

Temp, humidity, pressure
Wi-Fi, OTA updates
Same app and dashboards

render: dam float + pump houseConcept image

FIELD TESTING

DamLink

Long-range radio link from a dam level sensor to the pump controller. No Wi-Fi needed at the dam.

LoRa SX1262 link
Pump interlock on lost link
Multi-kilometre range

Setup

Installation and commissioning

STEP 1

Mount

Mount the controller on a DIN rail and connect the supply.

STEP 2

Wire

Connect probes, floats, switches and contactors to the labelled terminals.

STEP 3

Provision

The app connects over Bluetooth and configures the network settings.

STEP 4

Configure

Assign each terminal, build the control logic and download it to the controller.

Inputs

Supported inputs

Common environmental sensors are supported directly. Industrial transmitters connect to the 4–20 mA and 0–10 V analog inputs.

Reading	Sensor	Range	Connection
temperature	SHT30 / SHT20 / BME280 / DHT22	−40 … 125 °C	I²C / 1-wire
humidity	SHT30 / DHT22	0 … 100 %RH	I²C / 1-wire
pressure	BME280	300 … 1100 hPa	I²C
analog_1 … 6	4–20 mA and 0–10 V probes	16-bit	Analog input
level	DamLink float node	0 … 100 %	LoRa radio
weather_*	Met.no forecast for your site	48 h ahead	Cloud

Reliability

An offline-first approach

Independent of the internet

Control continues without a network connection. Readings are buffered on the device and uploaded once the link is restored.

Remote management

Firmware updates, configuration changes and new programs are sent remotely, without a site visit.

Multi-user access

Grant read, write or admin access per device to staff, contractors or family members by User ID.

Get in touch

Register your interest

Tell us about your application and we will contact you with availability and pricing.

Email info@makesensesystems.co.za

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