IR mains switch

[Dirk Bruere at NeoPax]

Looking for a mains switch, either internal or external, to switch power
(up to 10A) and which is controlled by IR

Or even better, controlled by an App that can run on an Android tablet.
I need at least 3 of them in the same room so different coding is a
necessity.

The nearest I have found is this sort of thing:
http://www.amazon.com/Outlet-Wireless-Remote-Wall-Outlets/dp/B000G80V28/ref=pd_sim_dbs_k_1


The major drawback is that it's yet another remote control amongst all
the others in the AV system

 

[Rich Webb]

Looking for a mains switch, either internal or external, to switch power
(up to 10A) and which is controlled by IR

Or even better, controlled by an App that can run on an Android tablet.
I need at least 3 of them in the same room so different coding is a
necessity.

The nearest I have found is this sort of thing:
http://www.amazon.com/Outlet-Wireless-Remote-Wall-Outlets/dp/B000G80V28/ref=pd_sim_dbs_k_1


The major drawback is that it's yet another remote control amongst all
the others in the AV system

Browse around in http://www.smarthome.com/_/index.aspx. I didn't see
anything that was an exact match for your requirements on a quick search
but it might give you some ideas on what's available. Also, toys! ;-)

 

[Dirk Bruere at NeoPax]

The cheapest way I know and used, was to get some of those 'klik aan / uit' devices
(translated: click on /off, 3 at the supermarket for about 20 Euro),
and a 430 MHz transmitter and receiver module (I already had, from conrad.nl).
I sampled a few seconds of demodulated output of their transmitter into a PC par port pin,
and recorded it in a file as zero and ones (file y.dat for code X command Y).
Then playing back by connecting the serial port RTS pin to the power of the 430 MHz module,
that then switches the lights..
lsm info file:
http://panteltje.com/panteltje/newsflex/lremote-0.3.lsm
source code:
http://panteltje.com/panteltje/newsflex/lremote-0.3.tgz

RS23w RTS has enough power to power those transmitter modules.

If you cannot find 'klik aan /uit' I am sure those exists under an other name in the UK and elsewhere.
The trick should work for any AM 430 MHz based control system including car keys^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H.
I dunno about andoid tables, I do not like java, you need an output pin that is for sure.

One of the most obvious things that manufacturers should have done is
put an IR xmitter on each tablet/smartphone as a IR remote control
output. Does anyone know whether its possible?

 

[Dirk Bruere at NeoPax]

Mostly, people use X-10 (power line signal) for this kind of
thing; there are X-10 radio 'bridge' units, and the right
kind of IR remote control (X-10 model UR-24A is on the
table here) will trigger them, because it has dual IR/RF
output.

X10 is pretty flaky.
We need something to switch power to multiple powered speakers located
in different parts of a room on different sockets. Ideally what I would
like is a single power socket that accepts instructions from IP over
mains. Cheaply.

 

[Dirk Bruere at NeoPax]

Definitely possible; my Treo 600 (early smartphone) has the same IR
port (actually, IRDA bidirectional) as other Palm PDAs, and supports
the usual PalmOS applications that implement IR remote control.

Problem is that we are committed to Android

 

[Adrian Jansen]

Looking for a mains switch, either internal or external, to switch power
(up to 10A) and which is controlled by IR

Or even better, controlled by an App that can run on an Android tablet.
I need at least 3 of them in the same room so different coding is a
necessity.

The nearest I have found is this sort of thing:
http://www.amazon.com/Outlet-Wireless-Remote-Wall-Outlets/dp/B000G80V28/ref=pd_sim_dbs_k_1


The major drawback is that it's yet another remote control amongst all
the others in the AV system

I have played with a bluetooth module for something similar. eg the
RN41 modules from Roving Networks.

http://www.rovingnetworks.com/bluetooth-modules.php

They are intended to be a serial line replacement, but also have an
output line which simply signals whether the bluetooth connection is
made. Since each device has a unique MAC address, its easy to attempt a
connect with the address of each module. Then that one sets its connect
status line high. Use this to switch a power circuit.

There are simple bluetooth apps for android which would allow to do this
without much further coding.

 

[Jeroen Belleman]

Looking for a mains switch, either internal or external, to switch
power (up to 10A) and which is controlled by IR [...]

The cheapest way I know and used, was to get some of those 'klik aan
/ uit' devices (translated: click on /off, 3 at the supermarket for
about 20 Euro), and a 430 MHz transmitter and receiver module (I
already had, from conrad.nl). I sampled a few seconds of demodulated
output of their transmitter into a PC par port pin, and recorded it
in a file as zero and ones (file y.dat for code X command Y). Then
playing back by connecting the serial port RTS pin to the power of
the 430 MHz module, that then switches the lights..
[...]

If you cannot find 'klik aan /uit' I am sure those exists under an
other name in the UK and elsewhere. The trick should work for any AM
430 MHz based control system including car
keys^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H.

Aren't all car key remotes using rolling codes these days? That trick
shouldn't work on cars, garage doors or any other remote controlling
access to valuables.

Jeroen Belleman

 

[Dirk Bruere at NeoPax]

Can you flash the display backlight?
Then you can use a photocell to drive the electronics.

I suspect the backlight is LED, so not much IR

 

[hamilton]

On a sunny day (Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:07:22 +0100) it happened Dirk
<[email protected]>:

Looking for a mains switch, either internal or external, to switch
power (up to 10A) and which is controlled by IR [...]

If IR is not truly required:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro..._nkw=wireless+relay&_sacat=See-All-Categories

hamilton

 

[josephkk]

One of the most obvious things that manufacturers should have done is
put an IR xmitter on each tablet/smartphone as a IR remote control
output. Does anyone know whether its possible?

There are USB IR XMTR and RCVR modules reasonably available.

?-)

 

[josephkk]

X10 is pretty flaky.
We need something to switch power to multiple powered speakers located
in different parts of a room on different sockets. Ideally what I would
like is a single power socket that accepts instructions from IP over
mains. Cheaply.

There are power line Ethernet hookups and Ethernet power relays. With a
wireless bridge you have it all. Just put it together. Security may be
an issue.

?-)

 

[Dirk Bruere at NeoPax]

There are USB IR XMTR and RCVR modules reasonably available.

?-)

Might be worth looking into.
Having everything interfaced with TCP/IP is long overdue

 

[Dirk Bruere at NeoPax]

There are power line Ethernet hookups and Ethernet power relays. With a
wireless bridge you have it all. Just put it together. Security may be
an issue.

?-)

What I need is an addressable HomePlug switch

 

[Jamie]

Might be worth looking into.
Having everything interfaced with TCP/IP is long overdue

Why don't you just get a PLC and operate a Web sever to it.

You can have all the switches you need over TCP.

http://www.tri-plc.com/products.htm

And for a stand alone web device that can talk to other things

http://www.omega.com/ppt/pptsc.asp?ref=CSMSTR&Nav=auta06


And if you want to get to the building of things level you can use this
with some software in your PC to talk to it. This is most likely the
best solution for the home control system from the ground up and it's
cheap, do it yourself solution.

http://www.iautomate.com/products.php?product=Elexol-Ether-I{47}0-24-Ethernet-IO-Controller

Jamie

 

[Dirk Bruere at NeoPax]

Why don't you just get a PLC and operate a Web sever to it.

You can have all the switches you need over TCP.

http://www.tri-plc.com/products.htm

And for a stand alone web device that can talk to other things

http://www.omega.com/ppt/pptsc.asp?ref=CSMSTR&Nav=auta06


And if you want to get to the building of things level you can use this
with some software in your PC to talk to it. This is most likely the
best solution for the home control system from the ground up and it's
cheap, do it yourself solution.

http://www.iautomate.com/products.php?product=Elexol-Ether-I{47}0-24-Ethernet-IO-Controller


Jamie

What I really want is a Homeplug device that is addressable, plugs into
the mains, and which I then plug my power cable into and which will
switch the power. Having some huge box hang off the wall is a bit
pointless, as is a central distribution hub with power cables running
across the room.

Something like this, but with an addressable relay on board:
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ProductID=11229

 

[Jamie]

What I really want is a Homeplug device that is addressable, plugs into
the mains, and which I then plug my power cable into and which will
switch the power. Having some huge box hang off the wall is a bit
pointless, as is a central distribution hub with power cables running
across the room.

Something like this, but with an addressable relay on board:
http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ProductID=11229

Ok, Use X10 wireless switch, firecracker interface and this software.

http://www.sxlist.com/images/com/attbi/home/http/~andrew_g_miller/sx-x10/index.htm

My self, I would just write a basic web Server on a PC and use a serial
port to control a relay.

A basic web page front end to control and monitor the serial port, etc.

But that is me, because I know how to do the coding for such things.


Jamie

 

[josephkk]

What I need is an addressable HomePlug switch

I just tossed that at a search engine that is the network side of the
equation add the "Ethernet power switch" (it will have a settable address)
and you are home. Unfortunately not inexpensive.

Network component
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=y85qToy4DPTYiAK70aGaDg&sqi=2&ved=0CEoQ8gIwAw
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=y85qToy4DPTYiAK70aGaDg&sqi=2&ved=0CD0Q8gIwAA

The power switch component:
http://www.hackerfactor.com/blog/index.php?/archives/163-Ethernet-Power-Switch.html
http://www.leunig.de/_en/_pro/remote_power_switches.html

Does this get you where you want to go?

?-)

 

[Dirk Bruere at NeoPax]

I just tossed that at a search engine that is the network side of the
equation add the "Ethernet power switch" (it will have a settable address)
and you are home. Unfortunately not inexpensive.

Network component
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=y85qToy4DPTYiAK70aGaDg&sqi=2&ved=0CEoQ8gIwAw
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=y85qToy4DPTYiAK70aGaDg&sqi=2&ved=0CD0Q8gIwAA

The power switch component:
http://www.hackerfactor.com/blog/index.php?/archives/163-Ethernet-Power-Switch.html
http://www.leunig.de/_en/_pro/remote_power_switches.html

Does this get you where you want to go?

?-)

Not really, because it has not got to look out of place here:
http://cyfi.uk.com/images/interior_3.jpg

So some big ugly box with power leads and an ethernet cable running
everywhere is right out.
Each of those speakers must connect to the mains through the net switch,
which must either be invisible or look like a wall wart

 

[Dirk Bruere at NeoPax]

Dirk,

How about an Ethernet-controlled power socket?

Computer Geeks (www.geeks.com) had this unit until recently:

USB Net Power 8800 Single Outlet Network AC Power Controller -
Remote, Local& Programmed Control of AC-Powered Devices
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=8800US-BP&cat=NET

While it is currently out of stock, the specs there should give you
some idea of what other items might be available.

Google found several of these with eBay listings and for sale at
www.dorapc.com for $31USD. Be sure to get the 8800US and not the
8800OK version unless you're planning to offshore your working
quarters.<grin!>

Here's a link to a UK version

NP-8800 USB Net Power Mains Switch
http://www.audon.co.uk/np8800.html

which has a link to a user manual.

Hope this helps...


Frank McKenney

Close, but I cannot have three or more USB leads connecting into the
sockets around the room. I need something invisible, hence my original
IR request. Ideally, it would be controlled by ethernet over mains and
just look like a normal(ish) power socket

 

[Dirk Bruere at NeoPax]

XXX Ethernet


Ah. Yes, you'd have to pair each of the Ethernet-controlled
switches with another module, something like one of these:

DHP-301 PowerLine HD Network Starter Kit
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=533

Soooo... we screw down a quad outlet to provide enough outlets to
plug in one PowerLine module and one 8800US Ethernet-controlled
switch, and we jumper a short (4"?) piece of Cat-5 to connect the
one to the other...

But the end result is, admittedly, somewhat short of your aesthetic
requirements. A single module combining both would be a nice
replacement for an X-10 module.

So close...<grin!>


Frank

That's what I cannot understand.
People who are doing Homeplug stuff are already running TCP/IP over the
house wiring. How hard can it be to add a chip with a stack and drive a
relay? It seems so obvious its a no-brainer for manufacturers of
HomePlug devices. It would instantly give them a foothold at the center
of a home automation system for very little investment.