remote control from PC

[Frank De Block-BurijParticipant @frankdeblock-burij61943]

Hi,

I am in aquaculture and aquaponics (growing fish and plants in a closed circuit), this is a humid environment

I would like to be able to wireless control and programthings like pumps, automatic feeders, lights,… from my PC

you people are very much into remote control, I admit to knowing nothing, but I see very cheap, simple R/C cars and boats, where you can turn on lights, even very intricate movements

for my purpose I would need (per item) a simple reciever that controlls an on/off relay, plus a transmitter, plus a PC interface

I see mostly multi-channel receivers, but the prices are so attractive that I wouldn't mind using only one or maybe two channels, keeping the others in store for further applications

can you help me ?

Frank

[Frank De Block-BurijParticipant @frankdeblock-burij61943]

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

Hi Frank, if I understand your needs correctly I'm not sure you need radio control. I gather that you need to have some functions available either at pre programed times or on demand.

I would think that you need to google pc control interfaces, this will bring up several links explaining how you can have relays etc controled from a pc. If needed you can then link 2 computers pehaps over the internet to give on demand controls. You could even link a web cam to observe what is happening.

I hope that's a little help,

Charles

[Frank De Block-BurijParticipant @frankdeblock-burij61943]

thanks, Charles, for your suggestions

but for that I also need help

once I have the necessary PC control interfaces, with the software, I still need the wireless parts

greets

Frank

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

Any device will need power, batteries have a very finite life, electronic gear has a considerable quiescent consumption. When we do our displays or go out to play, we are usually happy with a couple of hours. This might not be enough for your needs. A means is therefore needed to change batteries, which requires access, or charge them, which requires a cable. If this access is provided, it stops being a sealed system. If power is supplied through a cable, then that cable could just as easily have several cores and carry the instruction signals for whatever is intended to happen in there. This removes the need for a radio.

There are plenty of control boards on the market that can be housed in an environment proof box, and be controled from a PC on the other end of the cable. Something like this – **LINK**

The google search phrase was " usb relay control uk ", the uk bit was to reduce the number of prices quoted in $.

An afterthought – if the thing to be controlled is to be mobile, a radio becomes useful, but if it to operate sub-surface, you will need a low radio frequency – 2.4GHz simply does not operate underwater, 27MHz does (in fresh water) but multi channel sets are joining hens teeth in rarity value.

Edited By Malcolm Frary on 23/05/2013 11:56:22

[TelstarParticipant @telstar]

Hi Frank, Have you looked at centeral heating controles I fit Wireless room stats and hot water controle (It saves running wires from boiler to room) these appear to work on 2.5GHz . There is a complex (and expensive) system that is programmed from a PC that allows setting and monitoring individual rooms, altho' I have never used one.

Cheers Tom

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