Looking to see if I can use this configuration or is there an easier way to do it.

I have an XP8 and a UPS which sends out a learned IR code via a 3.5 blaster port when it hits a certain percentage of battery back up time after the power fails. This IR code is usually used for projectors.

Can I hook up a ir emitter to the blaster port and stick the emitter end onto a MS210 (IR sensor) then connect the ir sensor leads to the XP8 with the ground, positive and data wires. I assume these wires would go into the same molex connector on the XP8 as the RM433.
Then could I convert the Macros on the XP8 to IR trigger codes, and dump the appropriate ir trigger code hex into a RTI remote sending standalone ir codes out then learn them to the UPS?
Does this work, has anyone tried it or is there a better way.

The reason I would like to use the trigger codes is so the can maintain status of the flag for the projector power.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

That sounds feasable.

With an "optical" link as you have presented you would avoid any voltage conflicts.

I would test the blaster output for voltage measurements to see if you could just hard wire the IR input like you would an IR receiver to the signal in and ground terminals.

That reminds me... I need to really take a close look at the dynamics and properties of the RTI signal transfer in and out of the RM433s, keypads and Processor ports. I realized the other day (see my recent post on standalone systems) that I do not actually know the electrical properties in this regard... I have always just assumed and made decisions based on practical applications and info from others as they relate to those assumptions.

Can you cut off the emitter, and use the voltage of the emitter signal to trigger a marco based on voltage sense?

I actually tried this and it didn't work so I assume that there wasn't enough voltage sent to trigger the XP8.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

Create a System Macro for your shut, then generate a ir trigger code for that macro and learn it to the UPS. I would try wiring the ir of the UPS to the ir in on the XP8

I tried this too with no luck although I'm not sure where the fault was. I tried a few things and it didn't work so I went on to other jobs and haven't revisited this one yet. I plan to get to it next week time permitting.

My first thought was voltage sense also. which i wasnt sure if it would work.

Im not sure why Brady's idea wouldnt work.

a polo

Post 4 said that it didn't, so case closed on that part. But why?

Sensor output is some voltage with some amount of current available. An IR output is the sensor output with a resistor in series with it to limit the current that flows through an IR LED.

Let's say the voltage out of the sensor is 5 volts that switches on and off in the pattern of the IR command. Let's say that 100 mA is available. 100 mA is WAY more than is needed to run four LEDs, the usual amount that you expect to get with a sensor and a block.

E = IR. I = E/R. R = E/I. Okay. Let's see here.

That means that the sensor looks like a zero ohms voltage source with 5/.1 ohms, or 50 ohms, in series with it. Another way to say this is that its internal resistance is 50 ohms. Whenever you figure what current is available through different circuits, you have to count this resistance as though it's in the circuit somewhere, even though you can't see it or measure it directly.

If you put an LED in series with this, the LED will drop around 2.0 volts, so you'll have 3.0 volts through the 50 ohms of the internal resistance, and about 3.0/50 = or 60 mA, enough that you might blow an LED. This coincides with experience.

Xantech distribution blocks use 470 ohms in series with the sensor output to feed LEDs. Then you have 3.0/(50+470) = 5.7 mA, a reasonable current for an LED that is stuck on top of a component sensor.

But what about running the LED signal into an RP?

If the RP's input impedance is, say 500 ohms, then that 500 ohms is in series with the 50 ohms source resistance of the sensor. This is a voltage divider; 500 ohms of the resistance is inside the RP, so 500/550 of the voltage will appear at the RP, being 4.55 volts. I can see how an RP could be made to work with that.

But if the sensor voltage goes through a 470 ohm resistor to become proper to feed an LED, then that voltage is fed to the RP, the total resistance of the circuit will be

50 ohms internal sensor resistance
470 ohms resistance for LED output
500 ohms input resistance of RP
total of 1020 ohms.

500 ohms is inside the RP, so the voltage at the RP will be 500/1020 times that 5 volts, or 2.45 volts. This is half the intended voltage, so probably won't work.

That's the nuts and bolts of why you often can't get an input to work if it's not specifically designed to take a signal intended for an LED.

Based on Ernie's explanation here I can understand why the voltage sense wouldn't work but why would it not work this way:

Hook up a ir emitter to the blaster port and stick the emitter end onto a MS210 (IR sensor) then connect the ir sensor leads to the XP8 with the ground, positive and data wires. I assume these wires would go into the same molex connector on the XP8 as the RM433.
Then could I convert the Macros on the XP8 to IR trigger codes, and dump the appropriate ir trigger code hex into a RTI remote sending standalone ir codes out then learn them to the UPS?

This may in fact work and I may have missed something. I need to go back and look over things more carefully and do some proper testing. I just need more hours in a day.

Can an XP8 trigger commands based on voltage status? Since the XP8 is plugged into the UPS, is there a way to plug a wall wart into the wall, and when the XP8 does not sense voltage, then it would submit a shutdown system macro.

The reason I bring this up is that I asked about using an RP6 to start a system macro when it sensed a video signal. I was told that the RP6 didn't have that function, but the XP8 would have that feature.

That is a good idea okiepolkie. If I can't get the UPS ir to trigger a macro then I will definitely use this method.
Thanks!

TitaniumEye, I sent you a PM

It does work. We do it with an RP6 though. We use the Panamax M1500UPS with a Niles MF1 that flashes a MS200, (Now MS210). The MS200 is connected to the RP6 via ground, power and signal. Build a projector power down macro. Then I generate an IR trigger code associated with the system macro. Place the trigger code on a remote and have the Panamax capture the code.

Well,
I tried all the options today and it seems as though there is someting wrong with the way the UPS is learning the ir code. In one of the instances I used the MS210 connected to the XP8 and had the ir emitter connected to it from the UPS. Learned the IR trigger code and nothing. I then used the remote and pointed it at the MS210 and it worked fine. So the problem lays in the learning of the code.
When I pointed the remote at the pickup the status light stayed of for maybe a second. WHen I tried it through the UPS it stayed on for 1/4 of a second. So I tried different things....more repeats...different types of learning patterns. Zippo.

I know it should work but it didn't and I wasn't prepared to spend anymore time on it so I used okiepolkie's suggestion and it worked perfectly.
Job done with the same result.

Thanks again for the idea...so simple...so effective.

Glack - I also tried what you suggested and still nothing. Thanks for the suggestion though. I think there's a problem with the IR in the UPS.