From: chris w. <cw...@xm...> - 2000-07-25 13:43:01
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fyi, the low cost (although lower reliability due to x10 delivery assurance) solution might be: http://www.x10.com/products/x10_um506.htm the momentary setting should work fine to toggle the door open/closed, but i would recommend a magnetic garage door sensor in addition to get some feedback as to whether the door is currently open or closed. (so that your garage door "closer" doesn't unintentionally open the door). while on the subject, i'll note that i have both the sensor, and an assortment of relays that would do the job (including the X10 version). however, my garage door is not automated due to concern with mechanical malfunction, crushing my niece, etc. yes, i have the safety photo beam installed, but do not trust it enough to automate the door base on that alone. --the beam covers a VERY small percentage of the area that needs to be scanned, and it is slightly askew of the path of the garage door, so even the area it does cover is not assured to be clear. good luck, chris. > >Now how do I have misterhouse shut the door? I assume I have to get some > type of relay for the door > >opener but no sure what I need. > > I'm not all that familiar with what X-10 products are available to do the > job, but I believe you'll need a dry-contact relay. Does your garage door > opener have a hard-wired button to actuate the mechanism? What happens > when you press the button? If pressed repeatedly, I'd think the cycle > would be Open, Stop, Close, Stop. That's something you need to determine. > If it's a sequential cycle like that (or a simple two-cycle Open, Close), > then a momentary dry-contact relay wired in parallel with that button will > work fine. > > Smarthome.com lists the no. 2310 "Four Relay Controller Latched" which > _may_ work, although I'm a little concerned about the "latched" > characteristic (latched means the relay stays on until you turn it off - > like any X-10 module). It costs $99.95(!), but I don't see anything cheaper. > > Your MH code would have to turn it on, wait a second or two, then turn it > off; the garage door opener would (should) run the entire cycle > automatically after that point. > > What you'd _really_ like is an appliance module with isolated relay > contacts, but I don't see anything like that listed on smarthome.com or > x10.com. You could buy a 110-volt AC relay and wire that to a plug to an > appliance module, but that involves housing it safely - not a trivial task. > > I hope this helps. > > Mike > > ------ > Mike Dodd - Montpelier, VA > Modeling Virginian Railway, 1956 > http://www.mindspring.com/~mdodd/vgn_main.htm > > ________________________________________________________ > To unsubscribe from this list, go to: http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=1365 |