Maxbotic Ultrasonic Range Finders

[Waterboy550]

I have purchased a few Maxbotix MaxSonar-EZ1 High Performance Sonar Modules. I have noticed that a few of the members here have also purchased or experimented with these devices. I love mine. I have been testing it out with the simple configuration of having the device communicate directly to me PC via hyper terminal to gather and collect data. This device is very affective for this type of application. My interest is that I'm trying to use these devices to measure the amount of corn in some deer feeders. I have power running to the feeders, so that isn't a problem. The feeders are located about 200 yards away from my house. The two feeders are located about 10 yards apart. I would love to collect the data from the feeders with some type of equipment on that location and send it wirelessly to my house. I know this sounds very advanced but would be the best solution. If that isn't possible is there a way to gather the information from both of the devices and have them send it back to the house via one communication line, so I don't have to run two lines to gather their information? Thanks, any thought about the Maxbotix MaxSonar Range Finders would be great.

 

[Waterboy550]

To update this post, I just stumbled across a Serial to Ethernet Converter. This looks like it could solve my problems. Feel free to post any information you know about these devices as well or if you have had any experience using these devices. Thanks again.

 

[Michael McSharry]

To update this post, I just stumbled across a Serial to Ethernet Converter. This looks like it could solve my problems. Feel free to post any information you know about these devices as well or if you have had any experience using these devices. Thanks again.

I have been using surplus Lantronix devices and played with surplus Quatech ones. There is a recent discussion at http://board.homeseer.com/showthread.php?p=878160#post878160 These are wired and not wireless solutions, but the same principle applies. DeviceMaster sells new ones in the $100 range vs. the surplus prices of $20 for the wired ones. There are several other suppliers of WiFi / Serial adapters. 200 yards does seem a bit far for the WiFi-G that you will typically find with these units.

There is also software for the EZ-1 referenced at post #55 at http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php...45&start=45
If you want power for the EZ-1 to come from the IP/Serial adapter rather than a dedicated wallwart the Lantronix with TTL levels will be esier to work with.