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Topic:
Remoting 8 on/off switches wirelessly
This thread has 22 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Friday October 23, 2020 at 15:57
ftbrady
Junior Member
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9
I want to determine the easiest way to remote 8 on/off switches wirelessly.
I've researched WIFI media solutions (too complex).
I have rejected IR because a floor/ceiling separates the control and device location -
unless the IR transmitter output can be "pointed" through a 1" hole in the floor.
I just want to discuss my project with savvy hobbyists and experienced DIYers.
Frank Brady W0ECS
Post 2 made on Friday October 23, 2020 at 16:43
IRkiller
Advanced Member
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919
On October 23, 2020 at 15:57, ftbrady said...
I want to determine the easiest way to remote 8 on/off switches wirelessly.
I've researched WIFI media solutions (too complex).
I have rejected IR because a floor/ceiling separates the control and device location -
unless the IR transmitter output can be "pointed" through a 1" hole in the floor.
I just want to discuss my project with savvy hobbyists and experienced DIYers.

Please define "on/off switches"
how in the hell does ernie make money?
Post 3 made on Friday October 23, 2020 at 17:16
buzz
Super Member
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4,363
Are you controlling lights, motors, fixed items, movable items? Do you want the controller to be a group of mechanical switches, push buttons, or some sort of App?
Post 4 made on Friday October 23, 2020 at 19:11
Ernie Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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30,104
The reason you're being asked for more details is that this does exactly what you have asked for, but perhaps isn't exactly what you have in mind.

Get eight of these:



Be sure they each have different codes, typically A, B, et cetera. I'm not sure that eight different codes are available, but if not, get four each of two brands. Also get one or two power strips.

Bingo.




The best question is the one that, when asked, does not get the reply, "Do you mean....?"
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 5 made on Saturday October 24, 2020 at 11:32
radiorhea
Super Member
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3,264
Lutron Radio RA II is the ONLY solution for remote powered switches.
Drinking upstream from the herd since 1960
Post 6 made on Saturday October 24, 2020 at 11:41
tomciara
Loyal Member
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7,957
On October 24, 2020 at 11:32, radiorhea said...
Lutron Radio RA II is the ONLY solution for remote powered switches.

No Caseta?
There is no truth anymore. Only assertions. The internet world has no interest in truth, only vindication for preconceived assumptions.
Post 7 made on Saturday October 24, 2020 at 13:11
Ernie Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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30,104
We should all relax while we wait for him to come back. He hasn't even told us if he's switching 120VAC, 100VAC (because he's in Japan), 12 VDC, or what.

The choices are many. He notes that he's a "retired amateur radio hobbyist," so he could be trying to implement antenna switches to switch several antennas back and forth between being used as receiving antennas and outputting the full gallon.

It also could be a situation where he thinks he needs to switch eight things, but someone with different experience here might be able to point out an easier way to do what he wants to do. So... what he wants to do?
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 8 made on Saturday October 24, 2020 at 14:47
IRkiller
Advanced Member
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May 2012
919
Watch, it'll be an 8ch speaker selector lol
how in the hell does ernie make money?
Post 9 made on Saturday October 24, 2020 at 16:56
buzz
Super Member
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4,363
There are now three threads by the OP.

I’m not aware of any, one should exist somewhere, but he probably wants a wireless USB to USB relay driver.

If using that 1” hole in the ceiling is an attractive solution, then an IR pass through is an option.

Many of us would throw an Aurduino or Pi at this. It simply depends on the tools you are familiar with or want to learn how to work with.
Post 10 made on Saturday October 24, 2020 at 18:38
Brad Humphrey
Super Member
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2,585
At this point, I'm pretty sure this is a spammer.
3 threads over 2 days and doesn't reply to any. Just keeps posting the same thing over. I'm reporting it.
Post 11 made on Saturday October 24, 2020 at 22:13
Mac Burks (39)
Elite Member
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17,515
On October 23, 2020 at 15:57, ftbrady said...
I want to determine the easiest way to remote 8 on/off switches wirelessly.
I've researched WIFI media solutions (too complex).
I have rejected IR because a floor/ceiling separates the control and device location -
unless the IR transmitter output can be "pointed" through a 1" hole in the floor.
I just want to discuss my project with savvy hobbyists and experienced DIYers.

You can do IR with a 1/4" hole in the floor. Pull a Cat5e through that hole and use it to extend an IR emitter or IR receiver.
Avid Stamp Collector - I really love 39 Cent Stamps
OP | Post 12 made on Sunday October 25, 2020 at 13:05
ftbrady
Junior Member
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October 2020
9
Members Thanks for your replies. I'm sorry for the delay - I only found that there were responses today when I brought up the forum page. I had specified in my profile to be notified by email whenever there were responses, so I have been watching my email - that didn't work out. Here is my setup. I wrote a vb.net Visual Basic application that runs on a windows 10 PC. The app sends USB serial port commands to a relay controller board to open/close 8 switches which control 8 12vdc relays on a board in the basement. These relays switch between 2 different antenna feedlines and insert various segments of feedline into the antenna feedlines to change the electrical length of the feedline for the selected antenna - thus tuning that antenna for the most efficient operation. I have a web site that explains the system with pictures and text. I can supply the URL, but it is a subscription service to amateur radio operators and requires membership for access. Getting back to the remoting: when a relay controller port upstairs closes or opens, I want a corresponding on/off switch in the basement to close which, when closed supplies 12vdc to the appropriate relay - current for a relay closure is only a couple of hundred milliamps. Currently, the relay controller is in the basement near the relays and a USB cable goes thru a 1" diameter hole i the floor and connects to the controller board. The controller and relay boards in the basement are only abouit 8 feet away from the upstairs radio operating location. The reason for the remoting project is the the proximity of the relay controller to the antenna feed lines causes the controller circuits to sometimes hang up due to the RF energy (100 watts). Therefore, I want to bring the controller circuit board upstairs and wirelessly send the open/close commands wirelessly to the relay boards in the basement. I'll close for now and let those who have responded digest this information.
Frank Brady W0ECS
Post 13 made on Sunday October 25, 2020 at 15:44
buzz
Super Member
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Regardless of wanting wires or not, I think that better shielding would be the best approach. Moving the current control circuits might keep them from getting hit by the radiation, but you will still have IR receivers, wireless receivers, or whatever in the high field area. If you are OK with the aesthetics of a USB cable running to the relay location, why not replace the USB cable with direct connections to the relays and keep the current controller out of the high field area.
OP | Post 14 made on Sunday October 25, 2020 at 16:16
ftbrady
Junior Member
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October 2020
9
I want only one cable coming up into the operating area - the coaxial antenna connection - it goes through a well designed and efficient RF current choke. The RF was coming up to the operating area when I had the controller upstairs and sent 8 12vdc wires down to the relays. My experience with RF shielding has been that it is effective only when the shielded wires had a good ground rod close by. Separating the operating position by at least 8 feet from the RF field around the antenna feedline wiring and relay board has always been effective during the 15 years I've used this antenna system. Things only got hairy when I decided to move the station upstairs and also had to switch from parallel port relay control to USB serial port control due to Microsoft dropping support for discrete parallel port protocols. Fortunately a 100 watt RF field dissipates quickly with separation. I don't believe there wiil be any interference problems with IR and RF. Thanks Buzz.
Frank Brady W0ECS
OP | Post 15 made on Sunday October 25, 2020 at 17:54
ftbrady
Junior Member
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October 2020
9
Ernie,
What is the name of the xmtr fob and receiver product? If clicking the fob can causes a switch to change state on the receiver, then I suppose all I have to deal with is

* replacing the xmtr button with two activation wires
* finding 8 different IR IDs
* wire the rcvr switch to a 12vdc supply to send to a relay.

I don't suppose there are any 8 channel versions of the product? Or products that expose their xmtr wiring rather than embedding it in a fob?
Frank Brady W0ECS
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