automating a fog machine?

[MikeB]

One more question - would this relay (part #275-218) have worked as well?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...2049722&cp=

Except I could have powered it with a 12v wall wart?

Any advantage/disadvantage? Seems like using the wall wart would have only added more bulk to the project.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

If that black thing is the pushbutton, why not just cut the red and black wire from it and wire those to the relay? That way you still have the LED which will help let you know when it's on and off.

That other relay will work fine as long as the 12 volt wall wart is capable of at least 75 milliamps (just wire its output to the coil). Advantage is you don't have to mess with the appliance module in case you feel like switching this with a relay with an Elk module and it's 12 volt supply.

As far as shrink tubing without a heat gun. Wet a paper towel or sponge, get a solder iron hot, wipe any solder off of the iron, then "rub" the tip's side along the shrink tubing! Just dont' stay in any one spot for to long so you don't unsolder any connections.

 

[MikeB]

If that black thing is the pushbutton, why not just cut the red and black wire from it and wire those to the relay? That way you still have the LED which will help let you know when it's on and off.

I don't think the relay would fit well into the included enclosure, and I kind of want to just cut that remote off and keep it as-is for later. The LED only indicates when it's ready to fog (not really if it's on or off), and it's going to be outside anyway - so I won't be able to see it. The unit itself has its own LED anyway, so this one is redundant for my use.

So, assuming I just cut the remote off, do you think my guess is right based on what you see in the photo? Black and green?

 

[MikeB]

Just gave it a go, black and green worked great!

 

[MikeB]

As far as shrink tubing without a heat gun. Wet a paper towel or sponge, get a solder iron hot, wipe any solder off of the iron, then "rub" the tip's side along the shrink tubing! Just dont' stay in any one spot for to long so you don't unsolder any connections.

This worked great too - thanks for the tip!

 

[tmbrown97]

The one I'm going to try is using one of these: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...rentPage=search and I'll just be cuttong the wire to the pushbutton and rigging the relay in there instead.

The relay will be powered by a 12V wall wart, which I already have in my garage to power one of my aux. garage door openers (goes with my car alarm to also control the garage)... and my output expanders are right there in the same location in the garage.

I'll either rig up a motion sensor real quick to let me know when someone's there (thinking X10 to powerflash to an input on the Elk since I don't have the X10 interface on the elk I was wrong about what Powerflash does - I thought it could trigger a set of contact closures like a relay - apparently that's only for triggering it - so now I'm thinking a 12V wall wart to a relay or something like that)... or use the extra button on the wireless remote for the garage door opener and just watch the camera for when to trigger it... Either way should work... just depends on if I have the time to rig up the X10 solution.