Current sensing-Powerflash-SR227 project finished

[EL34]

I added a new project to my X10 project pages.

I built a current sensing device that senses when I turn on any one of several dust belching machines I have in my shop.
The current sensor then triggers a X10 powerflash unit.
The powerflash then triggers a X10 SR227
This turns on my dust collection shop vac system.

See project #3 on the page below.
http://76.162.4.197/Misc/home/X10_0.htm

[steven r]

Very clever!
This could be very useful item. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[vhoang]

nice.   

[glt]

Nice write up, thanks.

This sounds an awful lot like this post where I suggested using a CR3110 to automate dust blowers:

http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=11703.0

But you sure expanded on it with details!

I not sure why you need to do this: "A bridge rectifier turns the AC voltage into pulsating DC voltage.
The 100uf cap smoothes out the pulsating DC into smooth DC.
The 10K resistor is a load resistor."

Doesn't the Powerflash accept AC or DC?

In my application - I just used a resistor as mentioned here:

http://board.homeseer.com/showthread.php?p=617511#post617511

And I 'm not really sure I even needed that. 

The CR3110 and the powerflash have a great many X10 applications - I just wonder if it has to be that complicated for us electronic "newbies"?

Thanks again for the writeup,

GLT

[EL34]

Didn't see your post, I'll check it out later when I get some time.

I saw this post on this forum and came up with my project.
http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?showtopic=6864

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The spec's on the Powerflash say Position A - 6 to 18 volts DC

It's only 3 parts for my circuit and I sell them on my web site shopping cart.
Not sure if a link to my store is on order or not.

You can probably get it all at rat shack too.
You can make a bridge out of four simple diodes also instead of a bridge package.

[glt]

Thanks,

The instructions say:

Set the INPUT switch to A if your alarm
output is a low vollage (6 - 18V AC, DC or
audio) or IO B if the output is a contact closure.
WARNING: Do not connect 12OV
to the Input tetminais.

http://www.smarthome.com/manuals/4060.pdf

Same thing here:

http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Powerflash_Setup

And of course my application has been working for years with the AC output from the CR3110.

GLT

[Walt2]

Just to mention that there have been different versions of the Burglar Alarm Interface/Powerflash over the years.  For some of them, the Input switch defs were the reverse (A is contact and B is low voltage).   

[EL34]

Cool, didn't know that, mine are all new, current models.
Mine says 6-18 volts DC, nothing about AC.

People should check the sheet that came with their Powerflash if they are unsure.

[Brian H]

I found on mine. If you are using the Dry Contacts with the small sensing voltage from the Powerflash. The terminal marked + is the - from the internal supply. With my ELK Doorbell Sensor and its solid state Optoisolator. The + out of the ELK went to the terminal marked - on the Powerflash.