Need a remote switch idea

[steamer]

--I've got a loooooooong driveway. I want to put some EL wire on a
sign at the end so people know where to turn. The EL uses a pack of AAs to
run a driver circuit, easy enough, but I'd like to have a way to turn the
driver on and off remotely. Can anyone suggest an off-the-shelf solution?
I'd like to avoid running an AC line down there, as it'd have to cross
several obstacles, including driveway, pasture, fences, etc.

 

[Rheilly Phoull]

--I've got a loooooooong driveway. I want to put some EL wire on a
sign at the end so people know where to turn. The EL uses a pack of
AAs to run a driver circuit, easy enough, but I'd like to have a way
to turn the driver on and off remotely. Can anyone suggest an
off-the-shelf solution? I'd like to avoid running an AC line down
there, as it'd have to cross several obstacles, including driveway,
pasture, fences, etc.

Shouldnt be hard to obtain a radio control kit ?

 

[Jasen Betts]

--I've got a loooooooong driveway. I want to put some EL wire on a
sign at the end so people know where to turn. The EL uses a pack of AAs to
run a driver circuit, easy enough, but I'd like to have a way to turn the
driver on and off remotely. Can anyone suggest an off-the-shelf solution?

off-the shelf radio control hardware, (from a model shop)
off-the-shelf "door" remote control reciiever (probably cheaper, may need a
special antenna to get enough range)

both will increase the drain on the batteries, or may need a different
voltage, etc...

you'll pobably want to upgrade to larger batteries (maybe D's or a lead-acid
battery if you want rechargable)

it may be cheaper to install a solar panel and lead-acid battery and run
the EL continuously, or with a little extra electronics, only at night.

retro-reflective tape could be a no-power solution (but a bit late now)

Bye.
Jasen

 

[steamer]

--Yeah that's the kicker; it seems like any scheme I can dream up
will require something like a car battery to keep things going, then I'll
have to charge the battery periodically. What I'm hoping for is something
that can work with a smaller battery that isn't awful to hump around; maybe
a lantern battery?

 

[John Fields]

--I've got a loooooooong driveway. I want to put some EL wire on a
sign at the end so people know where to turn. The EL uses a pack of AAs to
run a driver circuit, easy enough, but I'd like to have a way to turn the
driver on and off remotely. Can anyone suggest an off-the-shelf solution?
I'd like to avoid running an AC line down there, as it'd have to cross
several obstacles, including driveway, pasture, fences, etc.

 

[John]

--Yeah that's the kicker; it seems like any scheme I can dream up
will require something like a car battery to keep things going, then I'll
have to charge the battery periodically. What I'm hoping for is something
that can work with a smaller battery that isn't awful to hump around; maybe
a lantern battery?

The long-term solution is a rechargeable battery pack with a solar
charger and a light/dark sensor.

Solar walkway lights with white LEDs are typically under $10 each and
include all of the above. All the electronics in these lights is
usually one piece that unscrews from the globe (1/4 turn). Make a box
with a clear front and a reflective surface inside (aluminum foil is
cheap). Mount one or two of the solar walkway light units through
holes in the top of the box (depending on the size of the box). Put
your indicator arrow or other info on the clear front. Use a color
for the symbols/numbers that contrasts with the reflective interior
and you'll have a day and night marker.

Perhaps not the answer you were looking for, but this solution
requires no wiring and very little maintenance. If you expect guests
late in the evening after several cloudy days, you may need to charge
the batteries (most use AA nicad/nimh) that day (the charge on a
heavily clouded day may only last an hour or so).

In the Atlanta, GA, area, a typical daytime charge provides 5 to 7
hours of light in the summer and 3 to 5 hours in the winter.

John

 

[Chris]

--Yeah that's the kicker; it seems like any scheme I can dream up
will require something like a car battery to keep things going, then I'll
have to charge the battery periodically. What I'm hoping for is something
that can work with a smaller battery that isn't awful to hump around; maybe
a lantern battery?

--
"Steamboat Ed" Haas : Whatever happened
Hacking the Trailing Edge! : to Porgy Tirebiter?
www.nmpproducts.com
---Decks a-wash in a sea of words---

Hi, Ed. You know, I'd think the thing you're looking for would be
commonly available for a relatively low cost, particularly with
automotive and camera applications.

I was looking around a little bit, and saw a relatively inexpensive
setup made by RFSolutions, a British outfit. They've got the whole
kit, with keyfob transmitter and receiver that operates on a 12V
supply. It's not high power -- two 6V lantern batteries in series
should work for a long time. Looking at the receiver datasheet, you
might want to go with the momentary relay outputs (switch selectable),
and use them to drive a dual coil magnetically latching relay for
minimum power consumption if that's an issue.

Their products are available through Maplin, a UK hobbyist distributor
kind of like Jameco here in the States. I know we can order from them
with a credit card online or by phone in the States, and you can also
get help online or through email.

The webpages don't show very clearly what you're ordering -- you might
want to email or call them for assistance.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=35626&doy=28m5
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Media/PDFs/RN51_RN52_N79BN_N80BN.pdf
http://www.maplin.co.uk/

I haven't used these myself, but your question made me curious. I'd
like to know if these are what you're looking for. I was kind of
hoping someone else had a solution.

Cheers
Chris

 

[steamer]

--Thanks; that's where I'm headed. Now all I've got to do is find
some cheap fiber optic..