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Starting the cabinet all at once. It works! And here's how...
krick:
--- Quote from: Hamselv on June 01, 2004, 08:19:58 am ---I was wondering, as I read this thread, if you guys have heard of a powerstrip, which is controlled by a USB wire from the PC? This is a fairly new thing here in Denmark, so I don't know if you already have something similar.
--- End quote ---
This performs essentially the same function as the Bits Limited SmartStrip: http://www.smartstrip.net/
The difference is that the SmartStrip senses the current draw on the "trigger" outlet to turn the other outlets on and off.
The USB link method looks like it would probably be cheaper to implement than the load sensing circuitry in the SmartStrip. There's no data activity on the USB cable. They're just using the 5v supplied by the USB cable to trigger a relay that switches on the other outlets.
Of course, this device will only work with a computer and it must have a USB port.
SirPeale:
Well, I'm off to Radio Shaft now. I'll test it when I get back, and post with the results.
SirPeale:
Well, I just tried the relay that Ken mentioned in this post. It didn't work. It triggers so fast that it doesn't have time to power up correctly.
I'll have to get a timed delay relay.
I'll play with it a little more first.
danny_galaga:
damn. it works perfectly on mine. i started to draw a diagram of how to introduce a capacitor into the circuit but realised its not quite as simple as i thought. i will have a bit of a think at work today. there will be an elegant solution though. leave it with me. if you do use a capacitor make sure its rated for for at least 110V. and use this formula to calculate time:
time (in seconds) = C X R. time equals capacitance times resistance. easy! write it as a decimal. for instance 1 microfarad times 5000 ohms is 0.000001 x 5000= 0.005 seconds. the example assumes the coil as the resistance but im not sure thats how it will go. as you can see it is probably faster than the relay anyway! like i say let me have a think...
SirPeale:
It might be the motherboard. I'll try a couple more and see what the result is.
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