No Internet - Want to Remotely Flip Switch

[vc1234]

At one of my remote locations in Vt, I use this:
 
http://www.belkin.com/us/F7C029-Belkin/p/P-F7C029;jsessionid=1899F9B3B4E00EBD1BC722D2A7810FE2/
 
It's a wifi outlet that connects through a Cradlepoint router (I bought an inexpensive used one) and a Verizon USB modem to a cloud.  You can control the outlet from your iphone, for example. I am paying $20 per month for 1GB of data which is an overkill, but I was lazy to look for an MVNO and I also use it as a hotspot when needed. Since it's a no contract arrangement, you can stop using it any time. For example, in your case you can use it only during winter.
 
I do not like cloud solutions in general, but in this specific case it was the most economical and painless approach not requiring a full blown automation system, such as ISY.

 

[Neurorad]

Could a neighbor's de-icing gutter system somehow trigger yours?

 

[nmcbride]

First a disclaimer: I work for Absolute Automation.
 
That being said, a Sensaphone 400 with external temperature probe (FGD-0101) can be programmed to monitor the temperature and open/close it's OUTPUT relay out based on conditions. You could also have it call you as a heads up if the temperature drops to a certain point and then you could manually trip the open/close over the phone. Or just use activate the Open/Close feature on the Sensaphone remotely by calling in whenever you need to (as per the neighbors). You will need some type of phone service though for the Sensaphone to be 'online'. Any type of cellular gateway works well, and operating cost can be low. But a good terminal with battery backup etc. can be $$. We recommend the Janus POTSWAP kit ever since Telular discontinued their SX6. 

 

[pete_c]

+++ on the Sensaphone 400
 
We're gold members with T-Mobile, which makes it very cost effective to keep minutes loaded.  We can arm and disarm the system remotely. And yes, we have a monitoring company.
 
I have multiple accounts today with T-Mobile and have no data caps and it is very reasonably priced. 

 

[jtw]

Thanks, all.  Digesting suggestions......
 
Can anyone confirm that I can't generate an output with the PowerMax Pro?
 
Can anyone confirm that I can't use all of my Visonic sensors with another unit that CAN generate an output?

 

[Del91574]

Powermax is bottom tier DIY, barely above the consumer no-name panels, sorry. Won't do anything other than what you already are using it for.

 

[cobra]

Thanks, all.  Digesting suggestions......
 
Can anyone confirm that I can't generate an output with the PowerMax Pro?
 
Can anyone confirm that I can't use all of my Visonic sensors with another unit that CAN generate an output?

Depends on if you want to add expanders.  You can get a gsm module for the PowerMax.  With one of the $100/yr gsm plans, that will get you phone ability.  The PowerMax can also be connected to an X10 serial module.  I believe that you can then call it and give it an output command.  (Here's a link to someone saying he's done it :http://www.shieldlab.com/forum/index.php?topic=34224.0 )
 
(Yes, I have a PowerMax Pro in a house.  I haven't made the serial cable for the X10 module connection, but it was on the list of things to do...  It is a nice way to do remote water alarm and temp alarm monitoring though, as it can call you and give voice status of errors, or text you with problems using the gsm module.)
 
If you don't want to install the PowerMax gsm module, you could also use another gsm to phone line adapter and plug the PowerMax in to it locally.
 
Is the house in a location you can get gsm service?  That matters if you are thinking of one of these gsm solutions.
 
Visonic makes a interface for their wireless sensors.  It can be connected to standard zone connections on most alarm systems.  I use some with a DSC alarm system here.

 

[Del91574]

I wouldn't recommend X-10 for something that is thermostat and for the purpose of freeze prevention. X10 is a "sometimes" doesn't work product. Not something you'd want to really gamble with IMHO.

 

[jtw]

Yes.  We have the gsm module.  We can call in to remotely arm, disarm, and bypass zones.  We want to know if we can operate a switch like the Belkin mentioned above, using our current  PowerMax Pro with existing GSM module.  So, let me digest more of this info.
 
X-10 is too unreliable to operate an on/off switch?  Maybe if I can get confirmation of the switch position it would be ok.

 

[BobS0327]

Unfortunately, I don't know the level of your technical skills.  But I'd like to suggest using a Single Board Computer such as the Raspberry Pi.  A USB 3G dongle could be attached to the RPI and with some programming, you could send a text message to the RPI to control your switch.  As a additional benefit, you could have the RPI send you text messages indicating the current outdoor temperature if a temp sensor was attached.
 
Here is a link to a similar project   https://garretlabs.wordpress.com/2014/05/21/raspberry-pi-a-remote-controlled-relay-using-sms-messages/
 
If you don't have the technical skills to tackle this project, you can always recruit a teenage electronics geek from the local high school or a maker faire to build the project.  (s)he would probably do it for a Jackson ($20)
 
A high estimate for all the hardware (RPI, USB 3G dongle, relay etc) would be around $120

 

[niedejb]

Cell phone coverage available?

Particle electron and a relay?

 

[Bzncrewjr]

A friend of mine uses something like one of these to turn on the heater on his plane in the hanger remotely by texting to the GSM number.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Andoer-Wireless-Mobile-Control-110-220V/dp/B00TB612FG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=145
 
Sent text message to the phone number and it turns on/off.   Limit to just YOUR phone so wrong # or texts are ignored by the device.
 
Cheap pay as you go for approx. $3/month with this GSM provider
https://www.h2owirelessnow.com/mainControl.php?page=planMin
 
 ​SIM card from here for a penny
http://www.amazon.com/H2O-Wireless-SIM-Card-Kit/dp/B004MF3IA8/ref=sr_1_6?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1456287153&sr=1-6&keywords=h2o+sim
 
I was going to use this to turn on the fridge on my boat so it's cold when I get there.   Unfortunately, it only works with GSM providers and where I'm located Verizon is the only game in town with no GSM coverage.
 
 
There are long distance WiFi solutions as well.  If you have a friendly neighbor willing to share, you can extend WiFi (line of sight) up to several miles for less than $100 in parts.   You will need to tap an open hot spot (coffee house) or have a neighbor's WiFi password.   WiFi is very fragile and trees, leaves, buildings will cut that down fast.
 
 
--Russ

 

[Sparkman1]

A friend of mine uses something like one of these to turn on the heater on his plane in the hanger remotely by texting to the GSM number.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Andoer-Wireless-Mobile-Control-110-220V/dp/B00TB612FG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=145

Looks like an interesting device, but based on the lack of any sort of certification (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513y2C0HBNL._SL1000_.jpg), there's no way I'd be using it in my house .  Hopefully it's far away from the plane...
 
Cheers
Al

 

[Bzncrewjr]

I didn't say that was the exact device.    Google it.   There are lots of GSM switches out there.
The one I was looking at was a simple GSM relay that I could wire up to a 12v relay to power my fridge.  
 
Apparently folks use this kind of thing to open driveway gates and such.   Dial your gate from your cell and it opens.  
 
 
--Russ

 

[wkearney99]

Looks like an interesting device, but based on the lack of any sort of certification (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513y2C0HBNL._SL1000_.jpg), there's no way I'd be using it in my house .  Hopefully it's far away from the plane...

 
Agreed, and looking at other similar items gives the impression they're all based on the same chinese design.  This is not usually a sign of a quality implementation. 
 
That and using something like that to control a high wattage device like a space heater seems like a bad plan, especially when there's not UL listing for it.   
 
I'm guessing the heat tape wouldn't be pulling as much wattage as a space heater, but I'd still want to make sure whatever controls is has adequate wattage to spare for it.
 
Which lead me to search, and this is an interesting page:
https://www.warmlyyours.com/en-US/posts/Self-Regulating-vs-Constant-Wattage-Heating-Cables-525
 
Not cheap though.  Still, they make a gutter sensor that seems is designed to hold up.  Assuming, of course, someone does the seasonal maintenance on the gutters.
 
This link also mentions temp conditions for using the tapes:
http://www.garfieldcleanenergy.org/res-heat-tape.html
 
I hadn't thought about it but their point makes sense.  The idea isn't to melt the snow, it's to give whatever water might be present, and dammed up, a series of melted channels with which to flow off the roof.  I'm guessing this would also factor into how the tape would be remotely controlled.
 
It still doesn't really address the problem I've got with a downspout freezing.  Not sure what kind of conditionals I'd be best served following.  Hard to know 'enough' to make an accurate enough decision.