Serially controllable power strip...

[beelzerob]

So in my ebay browsing, I came across a Baytech power strip that was serially controllable. Basically, I could turn on, off, or "reboot" any of the 8 power connections on it. It also touted being able to monitor the current being pulled by all outlets.

This has a neat "gee whiz" appeal to it, and I'll get one if I can get it for cheap enough. But is there otherwise any really use for this in an HA environment? The only thing offhand I can think of is that, with the computers being on the 2nd floor, and the router/modem being in the basement, it WOULD be nice to reboot those if something goes wrong with the net connection. Of course, that's assuming it's only an internet issue and not a home network issue, because if it's a home network issue, then I wouldn't be able to contact the PC needed to send the command to reboot the devices!

I could always setup a rule that if pings fail, to reboot those 2 devices....or wire a simple contact switch up to where the computers are so that when the button is pressed, it reboots those...or simply spend more money on more reliable network devices!

I don't really see that the power strip is all that useful for PC's, as it really wouldn't be rebooting them, so much as yanking out the power cord and plugging it back in. Of course, if you have your bios setup right, that WILL end up rebooting it, but it's a rather coarse way to get it to shut down.

Any examples of good HA usage before I "win" and end up with one?

 

[BrettS]

The power monitor aspect is the only thing that sounds interesting to me. I think the ability to remotely 'reboot' something can be done just as easily (in fact, maybe even more easily) with an X10 (or equivilant alternate technology) appliance module. The advantage to using the appliance module is that you don't have to figure out how to run a serial cable to your devices, nor do you have to develop a plugin or anything to work with whatever automation system you are using.

The power monitor part does sound interesting, but I'm having a hard time coming up with a good use for it. I'm looking into doing some sort of whole house power monitor, but clearly this wouldn't work for that. The other things that I might want to monitor individually (my heat pumps and my water heater) are all 240V, so this wouldn't work for that either. I suppose you could monitor the power consumption of your fridge or freezer, or maybe your washer, but I'm not sure how much I'd pay to be able to do that... and you'd still need to develop a plugin to support it.

Brett

 

[beelzerob]

Well, the ones I've been seeing are even more narrowly useful than that...it's basically a rack-mountable bank of 8 power outlets. So, you're not going to be able to plug your toaster or dryer into it...unless they happen to all be where your equipment rack is. It's pretty much only for your local equipment near or on the rack.

I use the DataNab current sensors for measuring current at remote locations. Easily worked into a portable power-cord, so you can measure anything you can plug in...110 v only (for now). And you only have to run 2 wire per sensor, which isn't usually too bad.

As far as integrating it, I've got CQC and can write any driver I need, so that's not an obstacle (more of a fun challenge, really).

I guess at this point, if it can be had cheaply enough, I'll get it and just SEE what uses I can put it to!

 

[znelbok]

APC also make a power strip that is Ethernet controlled (Master switch I think).

It has a web interface that should be able to be controlled via any HA package that can handle HTTP commands.

it has delayed turn on, so when main power is restored, not all outputs come on at once, great for preventing a huge inrush or delay some devices while others start up.

I use mine to reboot the modem when it fails - saves waling across the house to do it - so I would say that it is definitely worth it

Mick

 

[BitWise_Mark]

I would think that a serial controlled powerstrip could be pretty usefull in a few situations. If the current monitoring works well, It could be a nice way to verify on/off status of a rack or cabinet full of AV gear. Depending on the price, it could be a good way to de-TOAD some equipment.

 

[beelzerob]

Just to conclude this thread, I ended up finally snagging a DS4-RPC Baytech controllable rack mounted 4-outlet device at a very good price. I'm VERY pleased with it. It is in completely immaculate condition...I opened it up to reset it, and not a speck of dust.

Also, I will highly commend the Baytech tech support. I emailed them with some questions, and they were very quick to respond, and VERY helpful. That all bodes well.

One of the first things I plan to use this with is I have a simple amplifier that is not controllable, so I'll just plug this into the port on the RPC, and when I need sound it'll turn it on...when I don't, it'll turn it off. Makes me happy.

Of course, a CQC driver for it will have to be in the works somewhere, but the protocol for it is quite simple of course. On, Off, and Reboot...plus some status info if I so care.