Wireless receiver cabable of triggering a relay

[SteveQ]

I am looking for an inexpensive wireless receiver that I could use to trigger a relay. The relay would then connect a horn, siren or other noise making device. I am looking for a way to get rid of geese that are constantly in the yard. There is no electricity in the area so the entire device would need to be battery operated. I would like to trigger the device with a motion sensor or just a simple X10 command from my home automation system. Any ideas?

Steve Q

 

[electron]

I know there are some cheap DIY kits out there, just can't remember where I have seen them. However, what about using a sprinkler/hose you can control remotely? SmartHome also sells a motion detector that will turn on the water hose when there is motion.

 

[CollinR]

Do you want them there sometimes but not others?


If you want them gone a scarecrow is old school technology that can/does work.

EDIT: You could also simply get a dog. LOL

 

[SteveQ]

This was a fun project. I discovered that I had a garage door sender (hand held unit) and receiver that I had saved years ago when the motor burned out on the garage door opener. I was using it for awhile to remotely trigger an X10 powerflash unit to turn on the house light from the car. After looking at it, I realized the receiver might work if it could be powered from a battery. The receiver is normally powered by a 24VAC wall wart. So, I was hoping to find a bridge rectifier inside that converted the 24VAC to 12 or 24VDC. No such luck but I did find a laarge 50VDC electrolytic capacitor, just like you see in most power supplies. I figured I would try to inject 24VDC to the capacitor and maybe the rest of the circuit would work. To limit the current draw, I added a 1K resistor. I used 2 Dewalt 12V drill batteries to power the receiver and connected a car horn to the relay on the transmitter. I mounted the horn on the exterior of a 4" x 10" wood box and the batteries inside the box.

Now I have a battery operated, self contained, portable "goose chaser" that I can trigger from about 300' away.

I'll try it out tomorrow.

I am also going to try to connect an X10 universal module across the "clicker" button so I can use my home automation system to trigger the horn periodically during the day.

What could be more fun!!

Steve Q

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

You might want to take a look at this setup for under $20. It includes two remotes so you can "hack" one so it's controlled via an Elk output and still have one for manual operations. It operates on batteries also and requires no AC power.

 

[SteveQ]

Well, the wild goose chase was a complete success. The remote operated horn works great. Total investment - $0.

Total amount of fun pushing the button - priceless!

Steve Q