Printable View
I want to setup my pc for a different type of security which isn't strictly the type we usually talk about on here.
I want to use my p.c to contol 18 sets of flood lights through VB.
X10s are out of the question because they are 110v and the uk is 240.
Anyone got any clues because I don't even know what it is i'm looking for.
I'd go for a set of relais controled via Parallel port !!
There are lots of commercial products that can do this, but it's quite easy to build your own..
do remember to use opto-couplers, if any of them relays go, you don't want 240Volts on your parallel port !!
Most I've seen only go to 16 lights.. but with a small controller (atmel) it's easy enough to go upto 256 !!
Jinx,
Where do I look and What is the name of the thing I'm looking to buy ?
I am really new to this.
something like this:
http://www.qkits.com/serv/qkits/diy/pages/QK74.asp
http://www.linuxguru.be/index.php?co...or&item=lights
but that's for the DIY types ;)
I think this is propably more for you: http://www.quasarelectronics.com/relays.htm
If memory serves me correctly, the technology behind x10 was developed by a British scientist. It is actually older technology that had a patent and when the patent ran out X10 was developed as standard so different manufacturers could make devices that can recognize the same language just like TCP/IP is a standard language (protocol). Only X10 is very simple in what it can do. To represent a binary digit of 1 a 120 kHz burst if applied for 1 millisecond where the sine wave crosses zero. Since our frequencies are different, meaning power in the use is at 60hz and power in the UK is at 50hz, it's not only a matter of voltage difference, it's a matter of timing the burst of data. Otherwise it will get lost in the noise of the active power cycle. But you are in luck because X10 is well documented and easy to control, so it is easy to code in VB (I would imagine). There is a Dutch distributor of 220v X10 products.
Marmitek BV
P.O. Box 4257
5604 EG Eindhoven
Netherlands
Tel: +31 40 2122 831
Fax: +31 40 2128 232
I didn't verify this but if it's a dead-end I will continue to ask around...