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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: rabidpuppy on April 01, 2009, 09:56:08 pm

Title: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia? SOLVED: No it isn't.
Post by: rabidpuppy on April 01, 2009, 09:56:08 pm

Doing a search for smart power strips (that turn off devices based on a single control devices on/off status) in Australia seems to have a different result, and the only device which has this functions appears to be the Power Genie (http://www.powergenie.com/) which is AUD$60.  Is this the only pre-made option available here to power on/off all devices in a cabinet?

Cheers.

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia?
Post by: BASS! on April 01, 2009, 11:57:30 pm

Yeah I did some searches and was unable to find anything. I wonder if you could hack the power board, and rewire it to accept 220v? You could probably just re-mount the guts in a au strip and do a little bit of a hack. Any electrical engineers around? Andy Warne could probably think of something.

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia?
Post by: thePrimativ on April 02, 2009, 03:59:32 pm

Silicone Chip Mag did a USB control hack for an AU power board a while back
Ill see if i can dig it out for you if you want,
maybe get you a copy Im in Tassie

Cheers
 :cheers:

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia?
Post by: ghettodish on April 02, 2009, 10:19:39 pm

Search for SpyStyle's instructions. He shows how to make one cheap using a standard power strip and a relay for a car.

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia?
Post by: rabidpuppy on April 03, 2009, 02:22:28 am

I'm a bit colourblind so don't fancy doing any proper electrical hacks.  What (if anything) are other Aussies doing for a one-button = everything on solution in cabinets?

Cheers.

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia?
Post by: Hoagie_one on April 03, 2009, 09:04:59 am

Took me a while to find it, but here is an archived page of the built it yourself method I use.

http://web.archive.org/web/20030424193007/home.bendcable.com/werstlein/

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia?
Post by: andymcrae on April 04, 2009, 08:01:02 pm

Jaycar sells a master/slave power board but it's about the same price as the Power Genie...

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MS4062 (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MS4062)

Crest Electronics (Brisbane) also make a smart power board, but their website says it cost $249.95!

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia?
Post by: rabidpuppy on April 04, 2009, 09:28:20 pm

Quote from: andymcrae on April 04, 2009, 08:01:02 pm

Jaycar sells a master/slave power board but it's about the same price as the Power Genie...

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MS4062 (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MS4062)

That sounds perfect.  The power genie thing doesn't actually include a power board you add your own from what I can tell, so this sounds better.   Retail store is better for me too.

Cheers!

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia?
Post by: loadman on April 05, 2009, 03:25:08 am

Cool

I need one of these

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia?
Post by: wweumina on April 07, 2009, 09:33:32 am

I was in Bunnings today.  Master/Slave powerboard for $53.  I think it was Jackson brand and was labelled as 'Environmentally Friendly Powerstrip'.  It was six power sockets in a row so was quite long.  1 was a normal socket, then 1 master and 4 slaves.  A bit cheaper than the Jaycar one anyway...

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia?
Post by: BASS! on April 08, 2009, 05:03:37 am

Man, that thing looks really high quality. I'm going to need to open a new thread for smart strip alternatives, as it is a bit flimsy.

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia?
Post by: greyhound35 on April 08, 2009, 07:59:38 pm

Hi Guys,

I believe that the jackson powerboard is also available at Officeworks.  I think it was about the $60 mark when i bought mine
 

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia? SOLVED: No.
Post by: rabidpuppy on April 11, 2009, 02:20:14 am

This (http://www.ji.com.au/products/PT9778/) is the link for the Jackson one.  I just saw it at Safeway for AUD$45.99, on special $9 off.   Sold!

Thanks everyone.

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia? SOLVED: No it isn't.
Post by: HoopstarsGarage on April 11, 2009, 09:48:31 am

This is how I've done it in my cab's...

(http://www.adam.com.au/hr350/power.JPG)


Hoops

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia? SOLVED: No it isn't.
Post by: swamprat96 on April 19, 2009, 10:34:23 pm

I bought the jaycar product metioned in this thread. It does not work. The stupid thing relies on the master unit drawing no current at all. All modern PC's draw a little bit of power as they use a momentary switch

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia? SOLVED: No it isn't.
Post by: swamprat96 on April 20, 2009, 12:08:02 am

The Jackson power board mentioned on this thread works perfectly

Title: Re: "Power Genie" the only smart power strip in Australia? SOLVED: No it isn't.
Post by: thePrimativ on May 14, 2009, 06:18:11 am

just found this little beauty online. cheap too

Powermite DD    ( http://www.nicemite.com/PowermiteDD/PowermiteDD.htm (http://www.nicemite.com/PowermiteDD/PowermiteDD.htm) )   

Powermite DD is a power management module for tapping into your PC's power supply. In its most basic form its a great way to route 5v and 12v lines to peripherals. It has 2 terminal block positions for 5v, 2 terminal block positions for 12v and 4 terminal block positions for ground. More advanced users can use its transistor/relay combo to switch on and off things like a monitor, marquee light, or Q-Bert knocker. Can be set to take HI 5v sources for switching like a jumper from the 5v terminal block or an output from the parallel port. Can also be configured for LO sources like an LED driver board or certain keyboard encoders. LED indicators light up when relays are activated. Check out the video where the unit is configured to turn on a lava lamp when the computer turns on. You can easily turn any old power strip into a "smart" power strip. Can be mounted to wood or even in a pc case using pcb mounting feet.

A quick vid of it working
http://www.nicemite.com/PowermiteDD/PowermiteDD.MPG (http://www.nicemite.com/PowermiteDD/PowermiteDD.MPG)