rs232 or USB controlled 110v switch

[David McDivitt]

I am looking for a 110v switch controlled either by RS232 or USB. The
purpose is to cycle power to my router and DSL modem. I have written some
mailing list software which works real well. Unfortunately my DSL connection
must be reset on occasion, and during that time my lists are down. The
router automatically logs back on through the modem when power is cycled. I
do not want elaborate network functionality, and I only need one switch. I
am sure what I want exists, but I cannot find it after numerous google
searches. I would appreciate info anyone has. Thanks

 

[AZ Woody]

How long can it be down for?

The cheapest and easiest solution is a simple timer, that would cycle the
router/modem, say, every day at 2am. (the down time would be controlled by
how you can control the timer - might be 5-10 min?). A few bucks at
Target...

Does the "computer" know when the router needs to be cycled? (or can it
figure it out by way of something like "ping")?
If you go a free com port, a simple program could do something like toggle
DTR/DSR and a simple circuit could control a relay which bounces the
router/modem.

Sound like your ISP should be able to clear this up too... But don't trust
the bozo that answers the phone.. They work off a checklist, which, in my
experience is often wrong.. They might pass you on to someone who read a
book about DSL and knows the busswords (l2 support). You need to get to the
folks above that who pretty much understand the problem and have the
knowledge/tools to find and fix it

I had a stange problem like this with DSL a few years back, and once I got
ahold of someone who knew what they were doing, we tracked it down to a bad
caller-id box on the line. Been rock solid ever since - over two years. (my
DSL was getting messed up 1-2 times a day before that)

 

[David McDivitt]

Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 22:22:10 -0400
Lines: 25


Would you settle for one that is remote controlled via TCP/IP? Those are
fairly common. I use them to restart my servers in case we have a lock-up.

Alarm and Home Automation System FAQ
http://www.bass-home.com/faq/masterfaq/faq.htm

Regards,
Robert

Thanks Robert. No, TCP/IP would be too involved. What is the connection?
Ethernet? If my router is locked up there is no TCP/IP available.

 

[David McDivitt]

Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 19:14:01 -0700
Lines: 46

How long can it be down for?

It can be down awhile. When my mailing list software fails to connect POP or
SMTP consistently for 10 minutes, I might have it cycle power to the router
and modem. Most likely I will write a standalone program to accept messages
from all mailing list servers, such as login failures. Logic to manipulate
the switch, when, and configuration will be in the standalone program.

The cheapest and easiest solution is a simple timer, that would cycle the
router/modem, say, every day at 2am. (the down time would be controlled by
how you can control the timer - might be 5-10 min?). A few bucks at
Target...

This solution would work, but not well. If I go out of town, it would bring
the connection back, but if the connection fell off at 3am, my discussion
lists would be down for 23 hours. Besides, I want activity written to a log
file so I have a record of what happens.

Does the "computer" know when the router needs to be cycled? (or can it
figure it out by way of something like "ping")?
If you go a free com port, a simple program could do something like toggle
DTR/DSR and a simple circuit could control a relay which bounces the
router/modem.

Yes, the computer knows. It cannot attain POP3 or SMTP login. Maybe the
connection is good and there's another problem, that is possible, but such
is rare. If POP3 or SMTP servers are down, and the connection is still good,
the power would just get cycled anyway. In the standalone program I write I
might have it try to hit a few places first, then if that fails cycle power.

Sound like your ISP should be able to clear this up too... But don't trust
the bozo that answers the phone.. They work off a checklist, which, in my
experience is often wrong.. They might pass you on to someone who read a
book about DSL and knows the busswords (l2 support). You need to get to the
folks above that who pretty much understand the problem and have the
knowledge/tools to find and fix it

I know well how hard it is to get to the right person. That is not an issue
here and they will not do anything to help me. I have a dynamic connection
and not a static connection. Static connections are available but they cost
more. I have no need for that. I do not do web hosting and have no need for
a fixed IP address. ISPs regularly cycle dynamic connections and there's no
way to make them change that.

I feel I could make what I want. It would be a little difficult but not too
bad. Cheap circuits exist which interrogate characters/bytes via RS232. I
might use DTR, CD, or RTS as a trigger signal, but I would not want a
sustained load. It's been twenty years since I did any RS232 stuff like
that.

I had a stange problem like this with DSL a few years back, and once I got
ahold of someone who knew what they were doing, we tracked it down to a bad
caller-id box on the line. Been rock solid ever since - over two years. (my
DSL was getting messed up 1-2 times a day before that)

Are you saying your DSL never falls off? Is it a static (assigned) IP
address or dynamic? Mine has lasted up to two weeks. Sometimes it lasts two
days. Once in awhile I have to cycle power twice in a day.

 

[G. Morgan]

I am looking for a 110v switch controlled either by RS232 or USB.

Try searching for "USB relay control",and "USB relay control
interface". What you really need is a relay, not a switch. I found
a bunch of I/O devices that look like they would be perfect for that
application.

-Graham

 

[G. Morgan]

If my router is locked up there is no TCP/IP available.

He has a habit of responding to posts without really reading the
question. Besides, what he's talking about would set you back $500.


-Graham

 

[G. Morgan]

When I started looking around more I found a site with lots of neat
I/O devices. This gem looks like it would do the trick:

http://www.eeci.com/ar-2p.htm

Only $44.95

 

[David McDivitt]

Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 22:20:31 -0500
Lines: 13



Try searching for "USB relay control",and "USB relay control
interface". What you really need is a relay, not a switch. I found
a bunch of I/O devices that look like they would be perfect for that
application.

-Graham

Thanks Graham! I did a google search as you suggested and found exactly what
I want: a single relay or switch controlled by a USB port.

http://www.gbelectronics.com/gbsusbr1.htm

Hope it doesn't cost too much. Another neat deal was found at:

http://www.dataprobe.com/power/pwr_com.html

This controls eight 110v outlets from a single rs232 port. Don't need such a
thing now, but seeing it gives me many ideas.

 

[David McDivitt]

Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 23:38:56 -0500
Lines: 14




When I started looking around more I found a site with lots of neat
I/O devices. This gem looks like it would do the trick:

http://www.eeci.com/ar-2p.htm

Only $44.95

That's a neat item, too. Don't know how you found so many. Must be better at
google searches than me. It doesn't say how to communicate with the AR-2
Relay Interface. Send characters? Toggle DTR, RTS? I emailed the company to
get details.

I had to contact the company to get a price for the USB relay, too. Will
post what they say.

 

[G. Morgan]

That's a neat item, too. Don't know how you found so many. Must be better at
google searches than me. It doesn't say how to communicate with the AR-2
Relay Interface. Send characters? Toggle DTR, RTS? I emailed the company to
get details.

Hi David,

I started getting all kinds of ideas too when I saw what was out
there. I'm glad you asked about these things! Here is what they say
about the AR-2, they also have an AR-2S that comes with 2 digital
inputs.

AR-2 RELAY INTERFACE...The AR-2 relay interface is a stand alone relay
interface for connection to RS-232 which provides software control of
(2) relays which are included and mounted on the AR-2 circuit
assembly. The relays are energized or de-energized by using the RS-232
control signals DTR and RTS. The AR-2 relay interface is used when
only 1 or 2 relays are required (such as to control a line printer).
The AR-2 is only for use with RS-232 ports which support DTR and RTS
and is not expandable. The EN-B instrument case may be used to house
the AR-2 if an enclosure is required. The relays are SPDT rated at 12
amp 240 volts AC. A terminal block is provided for power supply and
relay contact connections. Requires the PS-GP-1 power supply and
serial cable (sold separately). RS-232 connection is via a DE-9 (to
order cable, add the suffix /AR-2 to the any of the serial cables
shown in the section describing connector cables). The AR-2 may be
connected to USB using the CO-USB converter. Control software examples
in Basic, Visual Basic and C are provided with the order. COM 1 thru
COM 4 supported. Dimensions... 2.375" by 3".

AR-2S RELAY INTERFACE...The AR-2S relay interface is similar to the
AR-2, except that two digital inputs are provided in addition to the
two relays. The inputs may be used to input the on/off status of push
buttons, contacts, alarms or to determine the status of equipment,
etc. (inputs are optically isolated). Input status is indicated via
the RS-232 status lines DSR and DCD (CTS may be used as a supervisory
signal to monitor for the AR-2S connection and power). A terminal
block is provided for connection to the inputs, power source and relay
contacts. The EN-B instrument case may be used to house the AR-2S if
an enclosure is required. Requires the PS-GP-1 power supply and serial
cable (sold separately). RS-232 connection is via a DE-9 (to order
cable, add the suffix /AR-2S to the any of the serial cables shown in
the section describing connector cables). Relays are rated at 12 amp,
240 VAC with SPDT contacts. COM 1 thru COM 4 supported. The AR-2S may
be connected to USB using the CO-USB converter. Includes reference and
software. Dimensions are 3" by 3".


http://www.eeci.com/eeci2.htm#ar-2

Good luck.

-Graham

 

[David McDivitt]

Supplying sustained current through DSR or DCD is not a good idea,
especially in a PC with everything on the motherboard. But that does make
control simpler. No character recognition is required. If contacts are
normally closed, current on the RS232 pins would not have to be sustained
for long. An add-on serial board should be used. They are cheap. The USB
conversion is nice, but again, only an add-on board should be used. This
product handles much higher amps than the USB only product at the other site
which only does .4 amps, and this product has a good price. Also VB and C
programming examples are provided so I wouldn't have to look so much up.

 

[Chuck Yerkes]

That's a neat item, too. Don't know how you found so many. Must be better at
google searches than me. It doesn't say how to communicate with the AR-2
Relay Interface. Send characters? Toggle DTR, RTS? I emailed the company to
get details.

I had to contact the company to get a price for the USB relay, too. Will
post what they say.

The mantra for TTL was that it sinks far better than it sources.
Through a simple inverter and a + on a pin can turn on a relay or Triac.


And there are several devices that leach power from RS232 (1wire, etc).

I've done an optoisolator (MOC3010) to control a triac (I forget which,
tab is NOT hot though) to control lights and other AC.

A parallel port or game output of an Apple // could control it.

Right now I've got a 14 port WeedTech digital IO that controls several
relays (like disable the sprinkler (20VDC) when it's raining).

The weedtech takes ASCII commands out the serial port to turn things on
or sense state changes on input pins.

Blackbox has also has devices with 1 AC outlet and an RS-232 on it. A
client using Failover HA systems used it to have machine B make SURE
that machine A was off.

 

[Byron A Jeff]

-I am looking for a 110v switch controlled either by RS232 or USB. The
-purpose is to cycle power to my router and DSL modem. I have written some
-mailing list software which works real well. Unfortunately my DSL connection
-must be reset on occasion, and during that time my lists are down. The
-router automatically logs back on through the modem when power is cycled. I
-do not want elaborate network functionality, and I only need one switch. I
-am sure what I want exists, but I cannot find it after numerous google
-searches. I would appreciate info anyone has. Thanks

Get an X10 Firecracker kit and an X10 appliance switch. The Firecracker is a
RS232 controlled wireless X10 transmitter that controls a wireless receiver
that plugs into the wall. The receiver then injects X10 signals into the
house wiring so that other modules can be controlled.

You should be able to Ebay a whole kit in the $25 range.

BAJ

 

[G. Morgan]

Supplying sustained current through DSR or DCD is not a good idea,
especially in a PC with everything on the motherboard.

Agreed, make the contact supply low voltage (12VDC) to another relay
on activation.

 

[David McDivitt]

Date: Thu, 20 May 2004 20:38:51 GMT
Lines: 10

Have had an X10 switch on my router/modem/accesspoint since they were
hooked up... at each computer is a mini controller that allows me to
cycle the power to the router (ground floor) from my computer desk
(third floor)

I also run a "telephone responder" although it has never been needed for
this.

Beverly Howard

Did you write a custom program for the X10 or did you use what they provide?
I decided on the X10. I went a little overboard and bought ten replacement
wall switches and five appliance modules. It was cheap. I was told there are
programming examples available. As well as controlling the router and modem
I plan on turning lights on and off when I'm not home. I guess I bought the
rest just to play with.

 

[Chuck McManis]

I did something similar to this (used an X10 module to control rebooting a
computer) and then got bit when the X10 module would turn off because it
interpreted some line noise as a signal. I eventually replaced it with a
device from black box that is designed for this. New they are pretty
expensive but I've seen hundreds at liquidators etc. I got one for $1.50.



--Chuck