Need simple design for remote control of outdoor lighting system

[Yvan]

Hello,

I would like to setup a control remote system for my outdoor lighting
system. The problem is that the power supply does not support any remote
control; an simple electronic device must be setup. The other problem is
that I am not an electronic guru. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I purchased the remote control device that closes a relay for about 500 msec
each time a button is pushed on the remote control. (This is actually a
Chamberlain garage door remote opener system)

The idea is to close/open the secondary on the low voltage 600 Watt power
supply that feeds the outdoor lights.

The pulse signal (temporary close of the relay for 500 msec) needs to be
translated to a permanent close/open of an electro-mechanical relay that
supports the 12V = 600 Watt output of the secondary.

Any idea what electronic design should be used ?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Yvan.

 

[Don Bowey]

Hello,

I would like to setup a control remote system for my outdoor lighting
system. The problem is that the power supply does not support any remote
control; an simple electronic device must be setup. The other problem is
that I am not an electronic guru. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I purchased the remote control device that closes a relay for about 500 msec
each time a button is pushed on the remote control. (This is actually a
Chamberlain garage door remote opener system)

The idea is to close/open the secondary on the low voltage 600 Watt power
supply that feeds the outdoor lights.

The pulse signal (temporary close of the relay for 500 msec) needs to be
translated to a permanent close/open of an electro-mechanical relay that
supports the 12V = 600 Watt output of the secondary.

Any idea what electronic design should be used ?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Yvan.

Look at X-10 hardware. It couldn't be more simple. I use it for a variety
of remote controls of lighting.


Don

 

[JeffM]

I would like to setup a control remote system for my outdoor lighting

Look at X-10 hardware.
Don Bowey

Don is talking about the scumbuckets
who gave us the Internet pop-up ad.

I suggest that you give your money
to someone with less sleezy business model.
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/04/13/1724209&threshold=4#15129077
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/04/13/1724209&threshold=4#15126072
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/04/13/1724209&threshold=4#15126190
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/04/13/1724209&threshold=4#15126076

 

[Phil Allison]

"Yvan"

I would like to setup a control remote system for my outdoor lighting
system. The problem is that the power supply does not support any remote
control; an simple electronic device must be setup. The other problem is
that I am not an electronic guru. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I purchased the remote control device that closes a relay for about 500
msec each time a button is pushed on the remote control. (This is actually
a Chamberlain garage door remote opener system)

The idea is to close/open the secondary on the low voltage 600 Watt power
supply that feeds the outdoor lights.

The pulse signal (temporary close of the relay for 500 msec) needs to be
translated to a permanent close/open of an electro-mechanical relay that
supports the 12V = 600 Watt output of the secondary.

** That will be *some* relay.

Rated for 50 amps continuous with a 500 amp surge capacity for switching on
cold lamps.

Any idea what electronic design should be used ?

** One that switches the AC supply, for a start.

Look for a "latching relay" which will change positions on the appliciation
of a pulse.




......... Phil

 

[Chris]

Hello,

I would like to setup a control remote system for my outdoor lighting
system. The problem is that the power supply does not support any remote
control; an simple electronic device must be setup. The other problem is
that I am not an electronic guru. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I purchased the remote control device that closes a relay for about 500 msec
each time a button is pushed on the remote control. (This is actually a
Chamberlain garage door remote opener system)

The idea is to close/open the secondary on the low voltage 600 Watt power
supply that feeds the outdoor lights.

The pulse signal (temporary close of the relay for 500 msec) needs to be
translated to a permanent close/open of an electro-mechanical relay that
supports the 12V = 600 Watt output of the secondary.

Any idea what electronic design should be used ?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Yvan.

Hi, Yvan. Newbie questions are also generally well-received at
sci.electronics.basics.

The device you're looking for is called an impulse relay. When the
coil is energized, it initially does nothing, but when the coil is
de-energized, the relay contacts switch state. If it was closed,
pulsing the coil will open the contacts, and if it was open, pulsing
the coil will close them.

They're a little tricky to home brew for a newbie, so it might be best
just to buy one. I'm assuming you want to use 120VAC to control things
here. You might want to start with the Tyco/Potter&Brumfield S89
Series. Their part number is S89R11ABD1-120, and is sold by Digi-Key
as their P/N PB586-ND. It has a 120VAC coil, .250" faston connects,
and can switch up to 15 amps.

Now lighting loads have high inrush current, and the initial surge of
current as the lights are turned on will definitely be in excess of
15A, and possibly several times that. For longer service, I'd
recommend you use the impulse relay contacts to drive a small definite
purpose lighting contactor rated for this load, which should be easily
available at any electrical supply house.

I hope this has been helpful. Good luck with your project.

Cheers
Chris

 

[John Fields]

Hello,

I would like to setup a control remote system for my outdoor lighting
system. The problem is that the power supply does not support any remote
control; an simple electronic device must be setup. The other problem is
that I am not an electronic guru. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I purchased the remote control device that closes a relay for about 500 msec
each time a button is pushed on the remote control. (This is actually a
Chamberlain garage door remote opener system)

The idea is to close/open the secondary on the low voltage 600 Watt power
supply that feeds the outdoor lights.

The pulse signal (temporary close of the relay for 500 msec) needs to be
translated to a permanent close/open of an electro-mechanical relay that
supports the 12V = 600 Watt output of the secondary.

Any idea what electronic design should be used ?

---
Assuming that your power supply is simply a transformer, with a 12V
secondary supplying 600 watts to the lamp load means that if you
want to switch the secondary you'll need to use something that can
handle 50 amperes steady-state and can hot-switch 10 times that
current until the lamps heat up. Anything you find is going to be
pricey, _plus_ you'll still have to implement the alternate-action
thing.

A much simpler plan would be to switch the primary, where the switch
would only have to carry 5 amps at 120V, using something like:

http://www.kussmaul.com/091-98-12.html

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

Hello,

I would like to setup a control remote system for my outdoor lighting
system. The problem is that the power supply does not support any remote
control; an simple electronic device must be setup. The other problem is
that I am not an electronic guru. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I purchased the remote control device that closes a relay for about 500 msec
each time a button is pushed on the remote control. (This is actually a
Chamberlain garage door remote opener system)

The idea is to close/open the secondary on the low voltage 600 Watt power
supply that feeds the outdoor lights.

The pulse signal (temporary close of the relay for 500 msec) needs to be
translated to a permanent close/open of an electro-mechanical relay that
supports the 12V = 600 Watt output of the secondary.

Any idea what electronic design should be used ?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Yvan.

If you buy a Stanley RF remote you get a little box that you can plug
the transformer into, and a keyfob controller. Cheap aind it works. I
use mine to manually cycle power to networking equipment.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

 

[Fred Bloggs]

I would like to setup a control remote system for my outdoor lighting
system. The problem is that the power supply does not support any remote
control; an simple electronic device must be setup. The other problem is
that I am not an electronic guru. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I purchased the remote control device that closes a relay for about 500 msec
each time a button is pushed on the remote control. (This is actually a
Chamberlain garage door remote opener system)

It will be simplest to mod the remote control receiver. Scan and post a
schematic to abse.

 

[Rich Grise]

If you buy a Stanley RF remote you get a little box that you can plug
the transformer into, and a keyfob controller. Cheap aind it works. I
use mine to manually cycle power to networking equipment.

Or, if you don't have a Stanley store in your neighborhood, ;-)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...ote+switch&kw=remote+switch&parentPage=search
In case that's wrapped, here's a http://tinyurl.com tiny url:
http://tinyurl.com/lu223

Cheers!
Rich

 

[JeffM]

In case that's wrapped, here's a http://tinyurl.com tiny url:

Rich Grise

I like your style. Despite
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:...to-see-where-*-going+before-going-to-the-site
It's nice to see the original link--with TinyURL as only a backup.

 

[Rich Grise]

I like your style. Despite
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:...to-see-where-*-going+before-going-to-the-site
It's nice to see the original link--with TinyURL as only a backup.

Well, I like to be as inclusive as I can, so to speak.

Got Options? ;-D

Cheers!
Rich

 

[Yvan]

Hey, this is a very nice group!

Thank you very much all!

Best regards, and have a very nice summer.
Yvan.

 

[Yvan]

Hi group,

Thank you all for your answers and for your time.

I is clear now that I should switch the primary @ 120 Volts. Much more
simpler.

But I still have one question. I already read that closing the primary may
create peaks of potential on the secondary. I do not want to change bulbs
all the time.

I understand that the lighting system is mainly resistive right ?
Do you foresee problems if I open/close the primary (that is, the 120 Volt
input) ?

Thanks
Yvan.

 

[ehsjr]

Hi group,

Thank you all for your answers and for your time.

I is clear now that I should switch the primary @ 120 Volts. Much more
simpler.

But I still have one question. I already read that closing the primary may
create peaks of potential on the secondary. I do not want to change bulbs
all the time.

I understand that the lighting system is mainly resistive right ?
Do you foresee problems if I open/close the primary (that is, the 120 Volt
input) ?

Thanks
Yvan.

Low voltage lighting is normally switched on/off
on the primary side of the transformer. The fact
that you do it with a remote switch doesn't change
things.

You can use an X-10 / Smarthome remote appliance
module to swith the transformer on/off on the primary
side.
http://www.smarthome.com/2001.html

Ed