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| Thread ID: 67231 | 2006-03-21 23:38:00 | Techie Help Needed | Feelers (10034) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 439749 | 2006-03-21 23:38:00 | Hey guys, I've got a rather strage query, and am just asking around to see if anyone can help me. Basicially, I am looking for a product that can send a txt/ring a mobile when a power socket's rcd is set off. Specifically this is for fish tanks - yes its wierd I know, but when it comes to corals and tropcial marine fish we're talking into the thousands of dollars. Take this beast (here in NZ) for example - I'd geuss to purchase the livestock would be at least $10,000 img.photobucket.com The problem is, when say there is a power surge/power cut, it can trip the rcd on the power point, and turn the tank off. Potentially killing the inhabitants. A text message or automatic phonecall would very a good method of insurance(since you cant really get real insurance for them). I'm geussing there are some pretty techno people on this site, so perhaps you would be interested in making something like this? I'm looking for say between $200-$500 per unit. Also people want to be able to have say a min/max temp probe, among other things, but just a "the powers not on" txt would be a start. Any ideas? Thanks |
Feelers (10034) | ||
| 439750 | 2006-03-21 23:46:00 | Try looking at Electronics Magazines like "Electronics Monthly" or "Elektor" | bob_doe_nz (92) | ||
| 439751 | 2006-03-21 23:49:00 | Can't help you, but have you looked at using a UPS (uninterruptable power supply), i believe there are some that work with surge protectors. Here (I knew about would have summat) about fish tanks power cut (saltaquarium.about.com) and here (www.fishjunkies.com) |
Morgenmuffel (187) | ||
| 439752 | 2006-03-21 23:50:00 | if they have an alarm system you might be able to use that. need a sensor to tell when the power is off and the alarm system can dail up a preset set number with a recorded message. | tweak'e (69) | ||
| 439753 | 2006-03-22 01:50:00 | You can get phone diallers for home alarms that will dial on activation of an alarm, wouldn't have a clue though on how you could intergface that with the status of yours mains voltage however. | Helplesss (272) | ||
| 439754 | 2006-03-22 02:17:00 | you could also put the the heating etc for the tanks on a u.p.s. | beama (111) | ||
| 439755 | 2006-03-22 03:23:00 | Silicon Chip magazine had a project using a cell phone to autodial on command. An autodial burglar alarm would be one way to do this on a copper line. It's got battery backup, and multiple alarm inputs. It wouldb't be difficult to arrange a PIC (or PIC-Axe) microcontroller to drive a modem. They handle temperature sensors pretty well, too. It's trivial to detect power off ... a transformer and diode, which could be part of the charger for the battery which would run the unit when its needed. A UPS for the heater might be a bit marginal ... they don't use many watts, but most small UPSs give say 300-500 watts for only 10 minutes. |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 439756 | 2006-03-22 09:17:00 | You can do it with an alarm panel . Basically you want the panel to go into alarm when your power goes out . You could do this one of two ways . 1) Hook the power of the alarm to the same circuit of the fish tanks, and then set it to go into alarm when the power goes off it (switches to batteries) . An Network X alarm would do this for you and they are reasonably cheap . 2) Set up a relay that triggers when the power goes off, and again using a Network X panel, have the relay trigger an input that puts the panel into alarm . This way could be a bit trickier, but would do the job just as well . The realy would have to be powered through the alarm panel via a battery . I'm suggesting a Network X alarm panel because that is what I (my company) install(s) in residential homes (mostly) . There may be a cheaper alternative . |
pine-o-cleen (2955) | ||
| 439757 | 2006-03-22 11:42:00 | Cheers for the replies . Yeah the alarm thing is a good idea, but it's not really a stand alone - system(for obvious reasons) . The uninterruptable power supply things can work but in a power surge it will stop that from working too . Silicon Chip magazine had a project using a cell phone to autodial on command . It wouldb't be difficult to arrange a PIC (or PIC-Axe) microcontroller to drive a modem . They handle temperature sensors pretty well, too . It's trivial to detect power off . . . a transformer and diode, which could be part of the charger for the battery which would run the unit when its needed . I'll have a look for the mag . - I dont spose you know what issue it's in? |
Feelers (10034) | ||
| 439758 | 2006-03-22 23:07:00 | The uninterruptable power supply things can work but in a power surge it will stop that from working too. I disagree. A decent UPS unit will withstand multiple power surges. Top end ones cost a lot, but given the kind of investment you're talking about, it seems to be the obvious answer. | Greg (193) | ||
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