Parallel Port Power Control Plugin (3 Viewers)

[3dcoder]

This is great, I purchased a nice relay board few weeks ago and assembled it. It will have 8 wall sockets, those schuko plugs, you know. If I get it workin with my setup, I'll post a picture.

It's a shame that transformes for the halogene spots are located upstairs, so it's kinda difficult to control them...

 

[mcraenz]

Cool, so someone is actually using this plug-in (other than me!) Ah well I'll get to work on finishing the new version

 

[3dcoder]

Hi again!

I finally finished my setup, and it's fully working! I use it now to control christmas lights, and one table light in our living room - total of three outputs. I had to make some modifications to the skin file and now it works with Xface skin widescreen.

Thank you for this excellent plugin, it makes my friends jealous =D

By the way, do you know any software which could map a parallel port on PC a to be used with PC B, over LAN for example? Such software could be used to make a "home automation server" like in my case, and place it near the transformers of the halogen lights.

 

[mcraenz]

I'm going to release a new version very soon. It will allow you to control devices on any other MediaPortal machines in the house (over LAN). That is very MediaPortal PC can be a power control server and client.
As far as having a remote PCB board I just use a cat5 (LAN) cable from the parallel port to your switching device. What kind of switch device are you using?

If you have specific feature requests now's the time to ask This version will be last (Until MP2 )

 

[mcraenz]

It's done. Please test
https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/my_power_control_plug-t33797.html

 

[cybergeek]

Hi guys I saw this Here
and I'm not sure how to hook up the relay can someone please show me how this is done and how it is hooked up to the parallel port the outlet and the other connections.

Thank You

 

[mcraenz]

Hey, you should be best to google around, you should find plenty of diagrams. If you use a solid state relay then it is very easy. If you use a mechanical relay it's a bit harder because you need to create a "driver" circuit because the parallel port doesn't have enough power to run a mechanical relay on it's own.

Solid state relays are more expensive though. I built this unit with4 solid state relays. Just 4 relays in an old power supply box with 4 extension cables that come out.

Be warned though, you are playing with deadly mains power! You need to keep everything tidy and safe! Don't electrocute your self!

 

[cybergeek]

Hey, you should be best to google around, you should find plenty of diagrams. If you use a solid state relay then it is very easy. If you use a mechanical relay it's a bit harder because you need to create a "driver" circuit because the parallel port doesn't have enough power to run a mechanical relay on it's own.

Solid state relays are more expensive though. I built this unit with4 solid state relays. Just 4 relays in an old power supply box with 4 extension cables that come out.

Be warned though, you are playing with deadly mains power! You need to keep everything tidy and safe! Don't electrocute your self!

That system hooks really nice mcraenz very neat locking I just don't know where to look and how to hook up the wires can you possibly email the diagram of your design it looks very nice.

 

[mcraenz]

um....

 

[mcraenz]

Here ya go. Crude but it should give ya the basic idea. Technically you should probably switch both phase and neutral but then you need twice as many relays!

Again! Do be careful if you're playing with mains!