🚀 go-pugleaf

You mentioned home automation, have you looked at X10 products? Tricky
Dicky sell them.

Actually, after a quick look it seems all they have now is a remote
control. They used to have things that let you hook up a computer, turn
lights on and off, etc. Perhaps I'm looking on the wrong part of the
site.

"rowan194" <googlegroups@sensation.net.au> wrote in message 
news:1130602833.547425.64290@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> You mentioned home automation, have you looked at X10 products? Tricky
> Dicky sell them.
>
> Actually, after a quick look it seems all they have now is a remote
> control. They used to have things that let you hook up a computer, turn
> lights on and off, etc. Perhaps I'm looking on the wrong part of the
> site.

I've had a pretty good look at home automation. The problem is they don't 
have anything that switches power on and off from the usb port because usb 
can't extend between your PC and where ever the thing you are switching is. 
It does seem like it is possible to control it from your PC but through a 
wireless link or something. The sites I've looked at have been *extremely* 
vague as to how it all works. I found something that works through ethernet 
but getting my customers to set up ip addresses and have a second network 
connection near the pc is too complicated.

Michael 

>I have a program that I have written that works with a certain camera. I'd
>like to be able to switch the camera on and off from within my program. All
>I'm after is something like a powerboard that connects to the usb port that
>I can turn each socket on and off though some sort of command. Does anything
>like this exist? I thought it might for home automation but couldn't find
>anything that did exactly what I want. It doesn't have to be a 4 way
>powerboard, 1 would do.

If I understand correctly, this is what you want, a USB Relay Card:

http://www.ar.com.au/~softmark/page32.html

It looks like it comes in kit form and it's priced at $115.50 ($105 + GST)

Regards,
Chris



----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

"Skeleton Man" <invalid@guestwho.com> wrote in message 
news:1130623955.828254@donna.bmts.com...
> If I understand correctly, this is what you want, a USB Relay Card:
>
> http://www.ar.com.au/~softmark/page32.html
>
> It looks like it comes in kit form and it's priced at $115.50 ($105 + GST)

That's exactly what I want except to be able to safely and legally switch 
240V, basically the same thing inside one of those 4 way powerboards.

Michael 

Michael C wrote:
> "rowan194" <googlegroups@sensation.net.au> wrote in message
> news:1130602833.547425.64290@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > You mentioned home automation, have you looked at X10 products? Tricky
> > Dicky sell them.
> >
> > Actually, after a quick look it seems all they have now is a remote
> > control. They used to have things that let you hook up a computer, turn
> > lights on and off, etc. Perhaps I'm looking on the wrong part of the
> > site.
>
> I've had a pretty good look at home automation. The problem is they don't
> have anything that switches power on and off from the usb port because usb
> can't extend between your PC and where ever the thing you are switching is.
> It does seem like it is possible to control it from your PC but through a
> wireless link or something. The sites I've looked at have been *extremely*
> vague as to how it all works. I found something that works through ethernet
> but getting my customers to set up ip addresses and have a second network
> connection near the pc is too complicated.

Are they residential or business customers? From memory they need to be
on the same power phase for X10 to work.

If you do a google AU search for "X10" you can probably find something
suitable. This is one kit I've found:

http://www.eon3.com/content/products/product-detail.asp?intProductID=565

Basically all you would need is the sender and one of the power
switches. I do see that it requires serial, but as the page says a USB
to serial converter can be utilised.

HTH, and I wish Tricky Dicky still sold this stuff, because I'm now
inspired to have a play! :)

>> If I understand correctly, this is what you want, a USB Relay Card:
>>
>> http://www.ar.com.au/~softmark/page32.html
>>
>> It looks like it comes in kit form and it's priced at $115.50 ($105 + GST)

>That's exactly what I want except to be able to safely and legally switch
>240V, basically the same thing inside one of those 4 way powerboards.

By safely and legally switch 240v you mean something that you can plug a
standard 3 pin plug into ? (without cutting, etc)

The kit says it has an input isolation voltage of 2500V, so switching 240V I
would think should be fine..   what if you cut the ends of an extension cord
(for input and output) or something along those lines ? maybe you can come up
with something and then have it electrically tested and tagged ? (that way it's
legal)

Regards,
Chris



----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

"rowan194" <googlegroups@sensation.net.au> wrote in message
> Are they residential or business customers? From memory they need to be
> on the same power phase for X10 to work.

They are dentist.

> If you do a google AU search for "X10" you can probably find something
> suitable. This is one kit I've found:
>
> http://www.eon3.com/content/products/product-detail.asp?intProductID=565

That is close to what I'm after although not quite perfect. Serial would be 
ok but combined with having to have a sender and receiver it is getting a 
bit complicated. I'm suprised nothing exists considering the range of 
electronics available today but I guess there just isn't much need for it.

I could just use the relay kit someone suggested and use it only for cameras 
that have an external power supply.

Michael 

"Skeleton Man" <invalid@guestwho.com> wrote in message 
news:1130648444.345649@donna.bmts.com...
> By safely and legally switch 240v you mean something that you can plug a
> standard 3 pin plug into ? (without cutting, etc)

Yep, I'm hoping for something that will work out of the box.

> The kit says it has an input isolation voltage of 2500V, so switching 240V 
> I
> would think should be fine..   what if you cut the ends of an extension 
> cord
> (for input and output) or something along those lines ? maybe you can come 
> up
> with something and then have it electrically tested and tagged ? (that way 
> it's
> legal)

From what I understand it's expensive to get anything passed for 240V mains 
and it opens up the possibility of me being sued if someone gets 
electrocuted. I could use this kit for low voltage switching but it might be 
a bit much trouble for the scope of this project to get it switching mains.

Michael