Need a relay controlled by a PC.

[Mongoose]

Hello. I need a relay that can control the power to a TV set and can
be open and closed from a computer. Currently I can use an X10 system
but that is unreliable since it gets all kinds of false signals from
the power lines. So what I would rather have is a relay that connects
to a PC by a cable. Does anyone have an suggestions?

I'm a CS, not an EE so I can program computers but my knowledge of
electronics is basic.

 

http://www.controlanything.com
RS-232 Controlled 8-Relay Driver with 5 or 10-Amp Relays $139 US

http://www.inlineinc.com/products/special/6902.htm
http://www.audon.co.uk/som1.html


On 25 Feb 2004 06:04:24 -0800, temp@mongeese.org (Mongoose) wrote:

Hello. I need a relay that can control the power to a TV set and can
be open and closed from a computer. Currently I can use an X10 system
but that is unreliable since it gets all kinds of false signals from
the power lines. So what I would rather have is a relay that connects
to a PC by a cable. Does anyone have an suggestions?

I'm a CS, not an EE so I can program computers but my knowledge of
electronics is basic.

 

[the Wiz]

temp@mongeese.org (Mongoose) wrote:

Hello. I need a relay that can control the power to a TV set and can
be open and closed from a computer. Currently I can use an X10 system
but that is unreliable since it gets all kinds of false signals from
the power lines. So what I would rather have is a relay that connects
to a PC by a cable. Does anyone have an suggestions?

I'm a CS, not an EE so I can program computers but my knowledge of
electronics is basic.

http://www.boondog.com/

Click on the Products link.

More about me: http://www.jecarter.com/
VB3/VB6/C/PowerBasic source code: http://www.jecarter.com/programs.html
Freeware for the Palm with NS Basic source code: http://nsb.jecarter.com
Drivers for Pablo graphics tablet and JamCam cameras: http://home.earthlink.net/~mwbt/
johnecarter at@at mindspring dot.dot com. Fix the obvious to reply by email.

 

[Mongoose]

Thanks! These look like they'll work.

the Wiz <look@message.body> wrote in message news:<h8pq30ljcv2angaih5j44hk1pl4f61gkkj@4ax.com>...

temp@mongeese.org (Mongoose) wrote:

Hello. I need a relay that can control the power to a TV set and can
be open and closed from a computer. Currently I can use an X10 system
but that is unreliable since it gets all kinds of false signals from
the power lines. So what I would rather have is a relay that connects
to a PC by a cable. Does anyone have an suggestions?

I'm a CS, not an EE so I can program computers but my knowledge of
electronics is basic.

http://www.boondog.com/

Click on the Products link.

More about me: http://www.jecarter.com/
VB3/VB6/C/PowerBasic source code: http://www.jecarter.com/programs.html
Freeware for the Palm with NS Basic source code: http://nsb.jecarter.com
Drivers for Pablo graphics tablet and JamCam cameras: http://home.earthlink.net/~mwbt/
johnecarter at@at mindspring dot.dot com. Fix the obvious to reply by email.

 

[Si Ballenger]

On 25 Feb 2004 06:04:24 -0800, temp@mongeese.org (Mongoose)
wrote:

Hello. I need a relay that can control the power to a TV set and can
be open and closed from a computer. Currently I can use an X10 system
but that is unreliable since it gets all kinds of false signals from
the power lines. So what I would rather have is a relay that connects
to a PC by a cable. Does anyone have an suggestions?

I'm a CS, not an EE so I can program computers but my knowledge of
electronics is basic.

You can get a relay board kit controlled from the parallel port
for ~$40 or less on the net. do a google search for parallel port
relay kit.

 

[R. Steve Walz]

Mongoose wrote:

Hello. I need a relay that can control the power to a TV set and can
be open and closed from a computer. Currently I can use an X10 system
but that is unreliable since it gets all kinds of false signals from
the power lines. So what I would rather have is a relay that connects
to a PC by a cable. Does anyone have an suggestions?

I'm a CS, not an EE so I can program computers but my knowledge of
electronics is basic.
------------------------------

Use a 470 ohm resistor from pin 2 of the LPT port to the base of a
2N2222A transistor, (the pin next to the one under the tab), the
emitter of that transistor (tab) to pin 18, and the collector to
the relay coil. The other side of the relay coil needs an external
supply, +12V from the PC PSU will work, and if the relay contacts
are rated at 240VAC and enough amps, then you can run the TV cord
through those contacts and turn it on and off if you set the 'lsb'
data bit HI.

-Steve
--
-Steve Walz rstevew@armory.com ftp://ftp.armory.com/pub/user/rstevew
Electronics Site!! 1000's of Files and Dirs!! With Schematics Galore!!
http://www.armory.com/~rstevew or http://www.armory.com/~rstevew/Public