**NEW PRODUCT: Powermite DD power management solution**

[whammoed]

I have a new product and this time it is available NOW!

www.nicemite.com



I am a huge fan of neat wiring and even when not doing a bunch of fancy lighting there is still things like coin door lights or a p360 joystick to power.  If you are needing a 5v low signal trigger/relay setup this product is a no-brainer: Get it.  If you are unsure if you'll need the relays then simply get the basic unit.  The board can always be upgraded later if need be and at the basic boards price point its hardly worth hacking cables and terminal strips for those of us who prefer a more elegant professional solution.

***Not that I don't want to make my money back on these, but for those that are new to the hobby on a low budget, you likely do not NEED this item.  Tapping into your PC's power supply can be cheaper or even free depending on what you have lying around.  But, if you do want to use a relay for something whether it be a "smart strip" or Q-bert knocker, etc I don't think you will find anything more cost effective for what this product offers***

PS:  I have 3 products available now...can I be a "vendor"? 

[MYX]

Pretty slick! I wish this had been out when I was hunting for power solutions. Perhaps the next project.

[squirrellydw]

pretty neat, however I have no clue how it works.

[JoyMonkey]

Nice! My old SmartStrip stopped working all of a sudden, so I might have to invest in one of these.

Any plans for any future products?
If you need some suggestions (like you haven't got enough to do), how about making some IPac LED driver boards? Or maybe a modified version with the option of a relay or two (like this circuit that I half-assed for myself). I'd probably be the only person that would buy one though, so it probably wouldn't be wise.

A simple relay circuit that would allow you to control 12v devices using an LEDwiz might be worthwhile.

[GadgetGeek]

I just read the info on your website.  If I understand this correctly, with the "HI" version, I can use my parallel port (and some software) to trigger a 115v powersource on/off? 

As an example, on occassion I need to reboot my cable modem (much less often now that I replaced it) and sometimes my router.  Using this and a driver app, I could power cycle my modem?  (Sample app would ping my webhost every x minutes and after two consecutive failures, it would send a trigger to the parallel port to trigger the relay, first off, then on).  Is that the concept?

Alternatively, via some secret key combination on my cocktail (using the "LO" version), I could power up/down the monitor and speakers (assuming the computer is on).

With the "LO" version, can a dedicated microswitch be wired just to the powermite (bypassing a keyboard encoder)?

Thanks.

[MameMaster!]

neat product. I just RETROBLASTED (retroblast.com) YOU....and I bought 2.

GOOD LUCK!
MameMaster!™ 

[whammoed]

A simple relay circuit that would allow you to control 12v devices using an LEDwiz might be worthwhile.

You can do that with this board. Simply wire from the 12v block on the board to one of the "C" terminals in front of a relay.  Use the "NO" terminal in front of the relay for your 12v devices you want to control.

[whammoed]

I just read the info on your website.  If I understand this correctly, with the "HI" version, I can use my parallel port (and some software) to trigger a 115v powersource on/off? 

As an example, on occassion I need to reboot my cable modem (much less often now that I replaced it) and sometimes my router.  Using this and a driver app, I could power cycle my modem?  (Sample app would ping my webhost every x minutes and after two consecutive failures, it would send a trigger to the parallel port to trigger the relay, first off, then on).  Is that the concept?

Yes, you've got the idea.  Theres lots of neat stuff you can do with the parallel port and a relay or two.

With the "LO" version, can a dedicated microswitch be wired just to the powermite (bypassing a keyboard encoder)?

Thanks.

You can use LO or HI for this.  For LO connect to ground, for HI connect to 5v.
EDIT:  Of course with a momentary type button you would have to keep pressing the button to keep the relay energized.  An on/off type switch would work though.

[whammoed]

pretty neat, however I have no clue how it works.

I will admit the relay functionality may be for the more advanced user, but anyone should be able to put the basic version to use for an easy way to run power to your coin door lights and such.
I will also say its not nearly as complicated as it might seem at first.

[squirrellydw]

pretty neat, however I have no clue how it works.

I will admit the relay functionality may be for the more advanced user, but anyone should be able to put the basic version to use for an easy way to run power to your coin door lights and such.
I will also say its not nearly as complicated as it might seem at first.

So how would I use this if I have two LEDwiz's and want my coin doors lit?  I just might be stupid.

[whammoed]

So how would I use this if I have two LEDwiz's and want my coin doors lit?  I just might be stupid.

What voltage are your coin door lights, and do you want them controlled by the led wiz? (or just on all the time)

[squirrellydw]

No idea about the voltage, I haven't got that far yet.   I would want them on all the time though.

[GadgetGeek]

I just read the info on your website.  If I understand this correctly, with the "HI" version, I can use my parallel port (and some software) to trigger a 115v powersource on/off? 

As an example, on occassion I need to reboot my cable modem (much less often now that I replaced it) and sometimes my router.  Using this and a driver app, I could power cycle my modem?  (Sample app would ping my webhost every x minutes and after two consecutive failures, it would send a trigger to the parallel port to trigger the relay, first off, then on).  Is that the concept?

Yes, you've got the idea.  Theres lots of neat stuff you can do with the parallel port and a relay or two.

With the "LO" version, can a dedicated microswitch be wired just to the powermite (bypassing a keyboard encoder)?

Thanks.

You can use LO or HI for this.  For LO connect to ground, for HI connect to 5v.
EDIT:  Of course with a momentary type button you would have to keep pressing the button to keep the relay energized.  An on/off type switch would work though.

For a momentary type button, if it was wired NC instead of NO, (I think all microswitches I have that came with buttons have this option), then pressing the button would break the connection until release.

Excuse my ignorance here on relays.  Would it be possible to wire this up so the relay is NC and the trigger breaks the connection until trigger power drops? (thinking from the parallel port trigger perspective)

What is the lifespan of one of these relays if in a "constant on" state?  Or does that not really effect the lifespan?

Next trick is to convince the Mrs that I wouldn't burn down the house if I got one of these.

[Kaytrim]

No idea about the voltage, I haven't got that far yet.   I would want them on all the time though.

Sounds like your best bet then would be to use LEDs, with the proper resister, to lite the coin door.  Then you can get the power either directly from the LEDWiz (only one needed) or from the 5v terminals on the Powermite.  You can also get your external 5v supply for the LEDWiz from the Powermite.

[whammoed]

Excuse my ignorance here on relays.  Would it be possible to wire this up so the relay is NC and the trigger breaks the connection until trigger power drops? (thinking from the parallel port trigger perspective)

What is the lifespan of one of these relays if in a "constant on" state?  Or does that not really effect the lifespan?

Yes, the Relay also has a terminal position for NC (normally closed) so energizing the relay could break the contact.

Relays lifespan is usually measured in operations...how many times it is switched.  Under no load it is rated for 1million and under a full load of 12 amps it is rated for 100,000.  So for what any of us would likely be using this for, it will last for years and years (and years)

[whammoed]

No idea about the voltage, I haven't got that far yet.   I would want them on all the time though.

Then you would simply run your 12v or 5v (whichever your lights are) from either the 12v or 5v terminal on the powermite, no need to involve the ledwiz.  (or just hack into the power supply some other way if you don't want to buy the powermite)

[squirrellydw]

so with this I don't have to hack into the power supply?

[whammoed]

so with this I don't have to hack into the power supply?

Right, just plug it into the power supply using any available hard drive type connector.

[squirrellydw]

cool, I might take one

[PileDriver]

Order placed! I'll be using them to replace the Smartstrip.
Great idea. Keep 'em coming.

[Kaytrim]

If you had only come out with this 3 weeks ago.    I wouldn't have hacked my power strip and power supply connector.  This thing makes the one switch power on and 5v power distribution so easy.  The only thing that bothers me is the exposed 120v power if you use it for the one switch power on setup.  I have some ideas for you for modifications but I'll PM them instead of posting them here.

[squirrellydw]

So what one should I order??  I don't need it for the LEDwiz, just coin door lights and maybe a few others.

[Kaytrim]

So what one should I order??  I don't need it for the LEDwiz, just coin door lights and maybe a few others.

if you want to use it for a one button to turn everything on/off then go for the deluxe model with at least one "HI" relay.    Otherwise go for the middle of the road model for 5v & 12v power distribution

[squirrellydw]

What is the benefit of using it with an LEDwiz?  I currently have two LEDwiz's and I want to make my wiring as easy as possible. How would I wire it up, plug it in and simply run a wire to the power and ground from it to the LEDwiz?  Will one power both?

[Kaytrim]

If you need to supply power to the LEDWiz boards other than the USB connection then you can get the 5v from the Powermite as you said.  It would be able to handle both LEDWiz boards easily because the power is coming directly from the PC Power supply.

[whammoed]

If you need to supply power to the LEDWiz boards other than the USB connection then you can get the 5v from the Powermite as you said.  It would be able to handle both LEDWiz boards easily because the power is coming directly from the PC Power supply.

squirrellydw:  what Kaytrim said 
I am going to have to start paying Kaytrim for tech support. 

[Kaytrim]

I am going to have to start paying Kaytrim for tech support. 

I'll take one of these and you can  let me know what you think about my ideas that I sent via PM. 

[whammoed]

Next order in for a Powermite DD gets a free 5v blue Lightmite TB.  (This is the 4 led version I put together for pictures, not the high flux used in the complete unit...hey, what do you want? its free!)
Must include forum username in the comments when ordering!

[PileDriver]

PowermiteDD in gutted powersupply.
I didn't know where to post this so here it is.
Standard power cord in, output to powerstrip or any ac device.
This will be mounted in a cab with no computer case.

[tommyinajar]

"Smart Strip" seems to be one the way out, I've heard of quite a few of them croaking. Plus it it costs like 40$$

This is perfect, good job !  I'm ordering one 

P.s. and I commend you for not even inflating the shipping charge to boot !!

[Jeff AMN]

Since this has been bumped, let me just say that I love this product. I used it to power my LEDs and a few other things in my project. It's slick, simple, and painless to use.

[muzland]

Hi Whammoed,

Can the powermite do the following?

I have an old style wall mount jukebox that has a working carousel that I am installing a PC into as a Jukebox. The idea is that the PC using MP3 and appropriate jukebox software replaces the hideaway unit that used to contain the CD's and the user uses the existing button panel (via an IPAC or such) to select the songs.

The carousel is turned by pressing a momentary push button which applies 12v to the motor until a separate momentary switch is actuated and power is cut. The switching on and off of power used to be controlled by the wallbox MPU but this is toast.

Can the powermite handle the latching of the 12v (supplied by PC power connector) from a momentary button press until another button is pressed to cut the power so I can use this to turn the carousel?

I don't really want to drive this from the parallel port. I was looking for something simpler that did not really involve software control.

Cheers
Muzland