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[peg-leg]

I'm going to integrate some non x10 cameras into my setup.  I have several xm13a power supplies available.  I use iwatchmobile for camera viewing and switching.  Rather than using appliance modules and various macros, I would like to have relay control of the non x10 camera powersupplies using the xm13a and a relay.

I'm no electronics expert so I need info form the forum experts.   What type relay should I use?  Would a simple 12 volt relay work? 

Thanks!

[Brian H]

A 12 volt DC relay should work. You may want look at some and see what their coil current is.
I would also suggest a diode across the coil {watching the polarity} for some spike protection as the DC it cycled on and off.

[HA Dave]

You might also want to look at using the relay to merely switch the video supply (using a modified hunk of RCA cable). Then you'd have an X10 video switcher. I've never tried a relay to switch video... but I did use the same method with a Powerflash Module Universal Module switching the RCA Video... and it worked great.

That has the advantage of eliminating camera warm-up time (because the camera is always on). If your using an IR [non-X10 Camera] the pinkish glow of the camera can help it be spotted and avoided at night... making the camera a good deterrent... but it has to be ON. 

[peg-leg]

You might also want to look at using the relay to merely switch the video supply (using a modified hunk of RCA cable). Then you'd have an X10 video switcher. I've never tried a relay to switch video... but I did use the same method with a Powerflash Module switching the RCA Video... and it worked great.

That has the advantage of eliminating camera warm-up time (because the camera is always on). If your using an IR [non-X10 Camera] the pinkish glow of the camera can help it be spotted and avoided at night... making the camera a good deterrent... but it has to be ON. 

Interesting idea Dave, switch the signal rather than the power.

[HA Dave]

..... switch the signal rather than the power.

Yep! I originally posted [that] I used a Powerflash Module to accomplish this. But actually I used a Universal Module for switching the RCA Video.

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

I'm going to integrate some non x10 cameras into my setup.  I have several xm13a power supplies available.  I use iwatchmobile for camera viewing and switching.  Rather than using appliance modules and various macros, I would like to have relay control of the non x10 camera powersupplies using the xm13a and a relay.

I'm no electronics expert so I need info form the forum experts.   What type relay should I use?  Would a simple 12 volt relay work? 

Thanks!

You will find that the UM506 almost never can be found cheaper than the appliance modules, and even with it, you'd still need macros to simulate the "group of four" switching that the camera power supplies do. 
 

[HA Dave]

.... I would like to have relay control of the non x10 camera powersupplies using the xm13a and a relay.

You will find that the UM506 almost never can be found cheaper than the appliance modules, and even with it, you'd still need macros to simulate the "group of four" switching that the camera power supplies do. 

I make the thread hard to follow when I mentioned the (UM506) Universal Module. But I only did that to point out that I used its internal relay to switch the video instead of switching a (low voltage) powerline.

But if he uses his X10 Camera Wall-warts (xm13a) operating a low-voltage relay it would react as a camera... on a group of four. Then just use the low voltage relay to switch the RCA video (making his own X10 Video Switcher) leaving the Non-X10 camera On he should be good for cheap. Any recommendation on a relay?

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

How about this:
Radio Shack Catalog # 275-233: 0.5-Amp SPST Reed Relay with 12VDC coil
Warning!  Some assembly required!
 

[peg-leg]

Here's a quick video showing the use of an xm13a and 12 volt relay to switch a non-x10 camera power supply

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXSNpncInMM

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

Here's a quick video showing the use of an xm13a and 12 volt relay to switch a non-x10 camera power supply

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXSNpncInMM

So... you wanted a BIG relay?   
 

[HA Dave]

Here's a quick video showing the use of an xm13a and 12 volt relay to switch a non-x10 camera power supply

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXSNpncInMM

VERY cool. A +1 from me!

[peg-leg]

Here's a quick video showing the use of an xm13a and 12 volt relay to switch a non-x10 camera power supply

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXSNpncInMM

So... you wanted a BIG relay?   
 

.   Overkill never hurt anyone...

[Brian H]

Looks good.
One thing. How much current does the relay coil pull?
If it is over 80 ma it may strain the xm13A.
I would also suggest a back biased diode across the coil for some inductive spike suppression.

[peg-leg]

Actually, the BIG relay is all I had handy.  It appears the Radio Shack version might be better. 

Brian H., I'll have to research how to test the ma's on the relay. 

Thanks for all input everyone.

[shake]

Hi I'm trying to do the same thing to actually control my fireplace. I'm very confused by something. When I hook a multimeter up to the xm13a's wires, and check for voltage, when I send an ON command there is zero voltage, when I send and OFF command there is 15 volts. Why is the operating backwards from what I'd expect? Why is on off and off on?

Thanks.