Switch Relays (no power)

Request new hardware or ideas for the controller
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wideawake
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon May 20, 2013 3:55 am

Switch Relays (no power)

Post by wideawake »

Hi there,

Just got my RA controller and I must say that I'm excited to get it running on my tank. However, I'm trying to blend it into my setup as efficient as possible without changing too much of my wiring.

Currently my return pumps (2 pumps) and skimmer pumps (2 pumps) are connected to a wall socket.
wall socket
wall socket
wallsocket.jpg (92 KiB) Viewed 8930 times
I turn them on and off using a light switch. The switch will complete the circuit for the wall sockets. It is wired directly to the room's power distribution box.
switch
switch
switch.jpg (44.49 KiB) Viewed 8930 times
I have something like this from my previous Arduino projects, which is a Sainsmart Solid state relay. What it does is
also complete the circuit when the instruction is given to it, similar to the one we have in the relay.
SSR
SSR
ssr.jpg (99.04 KiB) Viewed 8930 times
The question is, how can I integrate this with the RA controller?

Thanks.
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by rimai »

You need an I2C expander IC to control your board.
Roberto.
wideawake
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon May 20, 2013 3:55 am

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by wideawake »

Hmm... Now I realized I should have bought the ones with I2C controller built in...

So if I have one of those, it's just a matter of connecting the 3 cables somewhere and giving it an I2C address or something?

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rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by rimai »

Yes.
The I2C bus is easily accessible on the USB port of the relay box.
Roberto.
wideawake
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon May 20, 2013 3:55 am

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by wideawake »

Roberto,

Will something like this work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-RELAY-MODULE- ... 2c64f48144
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by rimai »

I think so, but I can't see the schematics.
What concerns me is the lack of diode on the relay.
http://electronicsclub.info/relays.htm
Roberto.
wideawake
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon May 20, 2013 3:55 am

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by wideawake »

rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by rimai »

Yes it is.
In fact, I just added support for that same chipset into the libraries yesterday.
It will be released in the next patch.
Then, just make sure to set the address to 0x27
Roberto.
wideawake
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon May 20, 2013 3:55 am

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by wideawake »

Sweet. Now to figure out how to be able to use it. Haha

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Piper
Posts: 296
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:13 am
Location: Oakley, CA

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by Piper »

That's pretty cool! Will that work in addition to the current I/O module?

~Charlie
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by rimai »

No :(
Roberto.
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by rimai »

Oh wait.....
You can do something different instead, though.
You can use a wall wart powering a small relay that is connected to the I/O module.
Your RA system uses UPS powered outlet and the wall wart uses grid outlet.
You got the idea?
Roberto.
wideawake
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon May 20, 2013 3:55 am

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by wideawake »

rimai wrote:Yes it is.
In fact, I just added support for that same chipset into the libraries yesterday.
It will be released in the next patch.
Then, just make sure to set the address to 0x27
Hi Roberto,
I've recently received the I2C controllers. You mentioned that support for this is in the next patch. How can I download the libraries before the official release? And I'm hoping there is some kind of documentation on how to address the modules.

Thanks.
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Switch Relays (no power)

Post by rimai »

It's in the dev branch of the github:
https://github.com/reefangel/Libraries/tree/dev
Roberto.
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