Premise Power Monitoring a TV

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chucklyons

Guest

• Oct 4, 2013

• #1

I previously had RS-232 controlled TVs, so syncing them with amps, etc wasn't a problem. I have one that should be controllable via its IP port, but so far, no luck.
 
Globalcache has a voltage adapter thing - but its only good to 24V
 
Xantech has a voltage rig, but it doesn't appear to work w/ GC.
 
Anybody have any ideas on how to monitor an IR only TV and pass info correctly to Premise?

 

tmbrown97

Senior Member

• Oct 4, 2013

• #2

A couple options:

1. Something like a GC Voltage adapter tied to a Current Sensor - may take more than one winding to get high enough voltage reading on the voltage sensor but it's an option.
2. A power-sensing power strip - this is all I use and tie everything else to it; but you could also run a wall wart to a relay and use that as a switched input on anything that'll take contact closure.
3. If the TV has any sort of looped video out, there's a GC Video sensor as well.
4. There's BSR's article on a light sensor over the TV's light floating around here as well.

 

BraveSirRobbin

Moderator

• Oct 4, 2013

• #3

This unit will easily provide a contact closure without any external power needed.
View attachment RIBXG_SERIES.pdf

 

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chucklyons

Guest

• Oct 5, 2013

• #4

So I could use this with a GC device so I can use Premise to keep track of things? I like this concept. Thank you BSR!

 

BraveSirRobbin

Moderator

• Oct 5, 2013

• #5

chucklyons said:

So I could use this with a GC device so I can use Premise to keep track of things? I like this concept. Thank you BSR!

Click to expand...

Not familiar with GC, but if it can monitor a contact closure this would work.  Remember, you have to place this around ONE of the power leads from your TV.  Some cords you can carefully separate without damaging the insulation where you expose the inner conductor.  Other time you may have to make your own splice using a male/female plug set, lots of options.
 
I like this device because it requires no DC external power, has a split core for easy installation, nice indicator lights if threshold is exceeded, and easily adjustable.
 
I would power the tv on, adjust the threshold so it trips, then adjust it down a bit more to ensure it trips on a percentage of the current draw (say 50% or so).

 

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manxam

Member

• Oct 5, 2013

• #6

If you want to use the GC power 'thingy' and your TV is of the new 'smarter' variety with a USB (these are typically only powered up when the TV is) then you can use that as it provides 500mV which should activate that sensor.

 

BraveSirRobbin

Moderator

• Oct 5, 2013

• #7

Ah, you mean this I believe.  There are a lot of GC devices.

 

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chucklyons

Guest

• Oct 6, 2013

• #8

I'm curious how you would wire up via the USB port...I do have one of the Smart TVs, although I rarely use the 'smart' features...does anyone?

 

linuxha

Active Member

• Oct 7, 2013

• #9

Just a guess (I haven't tried this myself), just monitor the USB 5v and ground. When the TV is on it should be on, when off it should be off.

 

tmbrown97

Senior Member

• Oct 8, 2013

• #10

Here's a cheater way to test for the 5V; and because 5V is under the 12V max of the globalcache's sensing max, you could send that straight into the GC. 

 

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doczaius

Member

• Oct 13, 2013

• #11

Chuck,
 
What brand SmartTV is it?  Some models do not have standby power for their ethernet ports/network connection.  It may be as simple as checking to see if the TV responds to a ping or basic command?  Another possibility is HDMI-CEC.. maybe a IP or rs232 bridge...
 
 

 

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chucklyons

Guest

• Oct 13, 2013

• #12

Thanks for all of the suggestions!
 
I've ordered the two suggested parts - not exactly sure what to do with the USB 5.0v things - the other one should work well for both my XBox as well as the TV.
 
Thanks for the HDMI-CEC. I hadn't spent much time looking into it...
 
However, yes indeed. When TV is off - no ping response. TV on, Ping response. The TV does have an option for 'standby mode', but that defeats the purpose...now all I need is the script to fire off the ping...
 
Philips is the brand. And one I will not likely buy in the future....

 

tmbrown97

Senior Member

• Oct 14, 2013

• #13

The USB to 5V thing would be easy enough to plug into any GC voltage detection circuit - it'll tell you if it's on or off; but since you're to have an automation computer do this which can monitor for Ping, that may work out better anyway.

 

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chucklyons

Guest

• Oct 27, 2013

• #14

Thanks for all of the suggestions!!
 
I opted to go with the ping method, which seems to be working reliably.......and because I'm cheap ^_^ 

 

tmbrown97

Senior Member

• Oct 28, 2013

• #15

K.I.S.S. - Definitely seems like the easiest way to go!