Author Topic: Anybody ever use anything like this?  (Read 880 times)

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Offline WeatherHost

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Anybody ever use anything like this?
« on: April 23, 2017, 06:31:31 PM »
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Wifi-Relay-Switch-Module-Mobile-Phone-Remote-Control-Timer-Smart-Home-/122382433554

Wireless Wifi Relay Switch Module Mobile Phone Remote Control Timer Smart Home

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I want to be able to position a camera where there is no AC, so I need to charge a battery with a small solar cell.  Cameras usually use more power than that set up can handle if they're on all the time.  I'd like to be able to turn the camera on remotely, see what I want to see, then turn the camera off again so as not to drain the battery.


Offline Bushman

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Re: Anybody ever use anything like this?
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2017, 06:54:04 PM »
I have.  But there are lots of moving parts when you don't have 120v AC
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Offline WeatherHost

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Re: Anybody ever use anything like this?
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2017, 07:06:07 PM »
Well, no. 

Solar Cell  (5V)  >>  Battery (5v)  >>  Camera (WiFi) (5V)

Solar Cell  (5V)  >>  Battery (5v)  >>  Control Relay (WiFi) (5V) >>  Camera (WiFi)  (5V)


It's a little over 70' from the house in a place there's no other reason for AC.  It's within WiFi range of an access point, so I should have good signal.  I could run a buried Cat5 and use POE, but I don't really want to.


Offline Bushman

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Re: Anybody ever use anything like this?
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2017, 07:26:05 PM »
BTDT.  What about your charging circuit? Voltage regulation?  Step-down? Redundancy/fall-back reporting?
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Offline WeatherHost

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Re: Anybody ever use anything like this?
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2017, 07:52:24 PM »
The questions are, do those type controllers work well?  What about effective range from the AP?  Can they be switched from a web browser as well as a mobile device?


Offline Bushman

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Re: Anybody ever use anything like this?
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2017, 09:34:55 PM »
IME they usually work.  ;) As for range, divide by three what the mfg. says.  If you want browser control that is a whole 'nother thing.  You could, of course, run a small android device with the code, VPN into it and then get it to run the commands.

Honestly, there is a lot more to these things than it seems - again, IME.  You know, you could always get a webcam that uses batteries.  No intermediate systems needed.
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