New use for RA!

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cosmith71
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New use for RA!

Post by cosmith71 »

I put a lever switch on my unused ATO port and attached it to the door frame of my stand. Now, when I open the door, my in-stand light comes on. :mrgreen:

I'm a genius. :ugeek:

--Colin
rimai
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by rimai »

That's awesome!! :)
Roberto.
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lnevo
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by lnevo »

Sweet and simple! I love it!
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jsclownfish
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by jsclownfish »

Great idea, if I only had any open relays left :(. I guess I need to connect the relay expansion.
Amos Poh
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by Amos Poh »

What is a level switch :)
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Sacohen
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by Sacohen »

It's a switch that has a lever on it and when the door of stand is closed it pushes in the lever and opens the circuit.
When it's open, the circuit us closed and the light comes on.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site ... seXxwHM%3A

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cosmith71
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by cosmith71 »

Amos Poh wrote:What is a level switch :)
Here you go:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... kw=2049718

--Colin
Amos Poh
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by Amos Poh »

Thanks Guys this idea is awesome!
markywmson
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by markywmson »

quick question... can this just be wired inline and into the wall? ie not into the RA? seems like it could no problem, but checking first
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cosmith71
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by cosmith71 »

markywmson wrote:quick question... can this just be wired inline and into the wall? ie not into the RA? seems like it could no problem, but checking first
I suppose so, but where's the fun in that?

--C
markywmson
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by markywmson »

Because it would save me an outlet on my relay box and not have to buy another one for that! Hahaha
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markywmson
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by markywmson »

Is there any way you could take a pic of how you have it wired? I'm just trying to figure out which wire would go where. I see N.O. which I assume is normally open, N.C. which I assume is normally closed, and C. which I assume is closed.

I would guess that I would wire to NC and C that way when it opens it turns on?
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cosmith71
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by cosmith71 »

No easy way to take a pic that would make any sense.

C is common. If you're wiring directly, you would use C and NC across one of the lines of the power cord.

So one line of the power cord to the lamp, the other line to C on the switch, and then another wire from NC to the lamp. When the door opens the circuit is completed and the light comes on. If you have two doors you can get fancy and wire two switches in parallel so the light comes on when either switch is deactuated. Been meaning to do that myself.

If you're using the RA to control, then it doesn't matter if you use NC or NO, just program accordingly.

--Colin
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cosmith71
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by cosmith71 »

BTW Roberto, our sneaky plot to get people to buy more relay boxes has been discovered! ;)

--Colin
rimai
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by rimai »

LOL :lol:
Roberto.
markywmson
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by markywmson »

Thanks so much! That's what I was thinking, but needed to talk it out (and hear someone say it also).

And I will be needing another relay box before long, so no need for sneaky plots! LOL!!
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GiraffeCat
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by GiraffeCat »

markywmson wrote:quick question... can this just be wired inline and into the wall? ie not into the RA? seems like it could no problem, but checking first
Only if the switch is rated for the required voltage and amperage of the light you are using. Be safe!

Late,
GC
.....Your forefathers wisely set aside their compassion - Steeled themselves for what needed to be done.......
JDW
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by JDW »

This is an awesome idea, I have been thinking about my canopy light and looking for a way to have it automated.
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Sacohen
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by Sacohen »

Hey there is a link where you can have you canopy open automatically too with the push of a button and some actuators.
JDW
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by JDW »

cosmith71 wrote:I put a lever switch on my unused ATO port and attached it to the door frame of my stand. Now, when I open the door, my in-stand light comes on. :mrgreen:

I'm a genius. :ugeek:

--Colin
Are you using a single ATO float switch and a door lever on the same RA+ board , OR were you not using the ATO slots at all on the RA+ board and used a separate system for your ATO? If so how are you coding the 2nd ATO port to go to operate another relay? This is above the Wizards head :)
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cosmith71
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by cosmith71 »

JDW wrote:
cosmith71 wrote:I put a lever switch on my unused ATO port and attached it to the door frame of my stand. Now, when I open the door, my in-stand light comes on. :mrgreen:

I'm a genius. :ugeek:

--Colin
Are you using a single ATO float switch and a door lever on the same RA+ board , OR were you not using the ATO slots at all on the RA+ board and used a separate system for your ATO? If so how are you coding the 2nd ATO port to go to operate another relay? This is above the Wizards head :)
I use two float switches wired in series to the ATO Low port. The door switch is wired to the ATO Hi port and I use the following code:

Code: Select all

// Turn on sump light if Hi ATO is open
    if (!ReefAngel.HighATO.IsActive()) ReefAngel.Relay.On(SumpLight);
    else ReefAngel.Relay.Off(SumpLight);
Where SumpLight is the relay the light is plugged into.

--Colin
JDW
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by JDW »

Awesome thanks Colin, I will try that shortly
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JDW
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by JDW »

Just to clarify, the ato high is closest to pH port corect
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cosmith71
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by cosmith71 »

JDW wrote:Just to clarify, the ato high is closest to pH port corect
Yes, I believe so.
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Sacohen
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by Sacohen »

Yes it is.
JDW
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by JDW »

cool beans, t worked like a charm. You guys are so smart :)
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cosmith71
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Re: New use for RA!

Post by cosmith71 »

:ugeek:
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