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Thread: Simple circuit?

  1. #1
    baaah. billygoat333's Avatar
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    Default Simple circuit?

    I have this great idea for my dad's cabin, and I need some help implementing it.

    In the wintertime, we keep the power off (except for the essentials) to keep the electric bill cheap. But, in doing so we cut the electric heat off so the cabin is FRIGID cold when we go up to go snowmobiling in the winter.

    Anyway, so I have been doing some research on a way to remotely activate an outlet to power a heater so the cabin won't be so damn cold when we get there.

    My idea is this:

    Take a cheap pay-as-you-go cell phone, some form of DC controlled AC relay to switch the power on, a photocell and a project box.
    Place the cell phone inside the dark project box, so that normally the photocell isn't receiving light.
    When I call the cell phone, it lights up, triggering the photocell and switching the relay to on and have it stay on, possibly until I call again and have the relay switch back off?
    the power would have to be able to be switched off to the heater, so there is no power drain.

    any ideas? I have a feeling the circuit for this should be fairly simple, as the photocell should just act like a switch in the DC current to the relay, yes?
    Quote Originally Posted by Omega
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  2. #2
    " Will I Dream .. " ASPHIAX's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple circuit?

    Yo,
    You could also look into getting an arduino and a gsm board. That way there is no box and photocell. You just call the gsm and the signal captured by the arduino will trigger the relais turning on the heater.
    you could even program it the other way around, let the cell phone call you at a specific time (if you always go at the same time) so you dont forget. simply hang up and call back to trigger the relais.
    The schematics for such a project are readily available on the arduino forums.
    just my 2 cents
    ASPHIAX

  3. #3
    baaah. billygoat333's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple circuit?

    I was thinking cheap, thats why I went with the pay-as-you-go phone. lol
    Quote Originally Posted by Omega
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  4. #4
    " Will I Dream .. " ASPHIAX's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple circuit?

    its probably gonna cost you around the 100 to 120 dollar mark so true, it aint very cheap ..

  5. #5
    Like a Lightning Bolt in Your Cheerios! Drum Thumper's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple circuit?

    Personally, I would look into the home automation toys over at X10.com. I've got something similar going on here.

    I SSH into a box from work before I am ready to leave, run a script and the lights in the living room come on. Pretty cool stuff really.
    Quote Originally Posted by artoodeeto View Post
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  6. #6
    The floppy drive is no longer obsolete. AmEv's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple circuit?

    I'd rather go for a headphone hookup. It hears a sound, it turns on.




    Only problem would be signal disconnects, and interference that way.



    I do like the idea of an arduino and an FM reciever, though.
    Two years. They were great. Let's make the next ones even better!

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  7. #7
    Resident 100HP water-cannon operator SXRguyinMA's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple circuit?


  8. #8
    baaah. billygoat333's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple circuit?

    That's awesome... I will read that! I forgot to mention there is no internet access up there.
    Quote Originally Posted by Omega
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  9. #9
    Fox Furry crenn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple circuit?

    2 XBee Modules, couple of resistors, a transistor and a relay. Done!
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  10. #10
    baaah. billygoat333's Avatar
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    Default Re: Simple circuit?

    XBee... those are the radio modules yes? I don't think they would reach, as the cabin is 90 miles away
    Quote Originally Posted by Omega
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