Remote Relay Box

[ckindt]

Here's some photos of my relay box. I commented about this unit in another post.
It's a kit I bought off the internet and I bought the enclosure at the shack and a piece of plexi-glass at the hw store. I used a d-sub 25 to make it easy to connect and disconnect. I spent more time adding the d-sub and making the enclosure than I did soldering all of the components on the pcb. Overall it's one of the best things I added to my HA system.

 

[brotsten]

What is it? What are you controlling?

Brian

 

[ckindt]

What is it? What are you controlling?

Brian

It is a 10-channel UHF remote control kit with rolling code security. I forgot to put the keychain remote in the pictures to help clarify - sorry.

Just wire the relay contacts into your controllers inputs and you have a 10-channel remote control for your HA purposes. I have mine for alarm enable/disable, garage door, perimeter lighting on/off, smoke detector silence and some more, but I forget right now.

The board and relay coils run on 12vdc.

Here's a link with a picture of the remote.
http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/QK181

 

[beelzerob]

So (breakin' it down for the dumb guy)...you have a car-type remote that you press buttons on, and this thing then closes (momentary or fully) certain relays in response. That's a great idea!

What is the range on the remote? And with only 4 buttons, how do you get it to do that many different functions?

Also, if you set a relay to toggle when it senses the button, how do you reset that relay? There's no way to set those relays other than remote inputs, right?

 

[ckindt]

So (breakin' it down for the dumb guy)...you have a car-type remote that you press buttons on, and this thing then closes (momentary or fully) certain relays in response. That's a great idea!

What is the range on the remote? And with only 4 buttons, how do you get it to do that many different functions?

Also, if you set a relay to toggle when it senses the button, how do you reset that relay? There's no way to set those relays other than remote inputs, right?

Yes - car type remote
Relays respond to button presses.
It is an awesome idea!

I have the receiver unit installed on the inside of the footer between the first floor joists. I get about a 50-75' radius on the outside and inside I get reception anywhere in my 1800ft^2 raised ranch. It's UHF so no line of site necessary as with IR.

There are 4 buttons so 6 channels require a simultaneous 2-button command.

You can set the relays to operate in a toggle or momentary mode independently. If you set them to toggle, they do just that, toggle on the button press. One time it sets, the next command resets it. If momentary, it stays set until you release the button.

There is no way to control the relay without a linked remote control. There is a little button on the pcb you press to establish links to additional remotes. I think the device supports 12 or 16 or something like that. I have two, one for me and one for my wife. It's the same RF technology as newer garage door openers that have the rolling code technology. It's the same thing really.

I had this now for about 2 yrs and only replaced my remote battery once. They're a standard type, but I forget the designation.

 

[beelzerob]

I agree, that seriously is a nifty tool. I see the kit is some $65 or so, which is very reasonable. Oh wait....that's unassembled. So it just comes in a box of parts and you have to solder them on?


Oooooo..... :blink: I am utterly soldering incompetent. I've tried so many times and it doesn't matter what it is, I can't get the stupid solder to melt before whatever it's attached to does.

Hmmm...$105 for assembled. Still a good idea....basically, an idea in search of a use. I like the idea of sitting outside the house and hitting the "arm security" button, and seeing the front lights flash twice. *snicker*

 

[gatchel]

I would probably stick to the DEI receivers that are compatible with my car remote...

Cool kit though.