wearfx Posted November 5, 2009 Posted November 5, 2009 Hi, I am new to the hardware side of things here. Last year we purchased our first 16 channel kit. While my husband handled the unit itself, setting it up, etc. I was in charge of sequences. Worked well, until I decided I want to add another 16, and a snow machine.My question is:Can I just use an empty channel on my system to plug in my snow machine? The snow machine will be set to 'always on' and in theory will just 'blow snow' when that channel is turned on.Thanks for any insight.
Denny Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 You do not want to directly control anything that has a motor with LOR. You could control a relay with LOR and then use the relay to turn the snow machine on and off.
Max-Paul Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 I'll second that you do not want to put a motor on the LOR controller directly. The use of a relay is highly recommended. But also keep this in mind. You can kill the Triac that is used as the output of the controller if you connect anything that is inductive such as the coil of a relay or solenoid like a valve. What you want to do is buy a MOV that is rated for either 130VAC or 150VAC. A coil when the power is removed generates a spike. The MOV will on purpose become a short when voltages exceed its rating. So the spike will cause the MOV to short circuit and kill the spike before it kills the Triac.In a nutshell, install the MOV across the coil of the relay and then wire this to the output of the controller. Then run a hot lead to one of the contacts of the relay and then out of the other N.O. contact to the snow machine. Also run a nuetral out to the snow machine. Remember only ON and OFF commands to that output. And you should be GTG.
Frank A. Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 Good morningI utilize x10 control module and appliance outletsto control my lasersThis is only on - off command and lasers have their own programs- Just as a note - I added a string of minis to each laserto provide an electrical load to the appliance outlet - lasers electronicswould not turn on without a small electrical load presentThe cm11a control module is a rs232 device. If your show computer does nothave a rs232 port, an usb to rs232 convertor is required I use radio shackhttp://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3120513Attached is the x10 equipment I utilize.Frank A. Attached files
Frank A. Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 I just read my post and realized that I did notmention that a x10 component(cm11a)can be controlled from LOR's sequence editorThe cm11a will use another port on the computereither rs232 or usbFrank A.
JBullard Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 The CM11a is only 24.99 herehttp://www.automatedoutlet.com/Home/Computer-Interfaces/CM11A-RCAand the Appliance Modules are only 7.49 (two prong) and 8.99 (3 prong)http://www.automatedoutlet.com/Home/Appliance-Modules/X10-AM486Martin is a great guy to deal with!
Frank A. Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 Good eveningThat is actually where I bought my equipment fromDid not have my documents with me earlier so I just founda source on the netBought a spare cm11a 6 weeks ago because they are discontinuedand I have not heard about LOR doing an update to include --is it a cm15aFrank A.
rstately Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 Max-Paul wrote:I'll second that you do not want to put a motor on the LOR controller directly. The use of a relay is highly recommended. But also keep this in mind. You can kill the Triac that is used as the output of the controller if you connect anything that is inductive such as the coil of a relay or solenoid like a valve. What you want to do is buy a MOV that is rated for either 130VAC or 150VAC. A coil when the power is removed generates a spike. The MOV will on purpose become a short when voltages exceed its rating. So the spike will cause the MOV to short circuit and kill the spike before it kills the Triac.In a nutshell, install the MOV across the coil of the relay and then wire this to the output of the controller. Then run a hot lead to one of the contacts of the relay and then out of the other N.O. contact to the snow machine. Also run a nuetral out to the snow machine. Remember only ON and OFF commands to that output. And you should be GTG.So, Evan, the X10 system somehow replace needing a MOV and a relay?Thanks, RonP.S. I loved you're daytime halloween walk through!
stonemik Posted November 8, 2009 Posted November 8, 2009 OK, I admit it...I'm stupid .. I've read the above posts, but am still way way lost. Can someone draw me a map in English? I'm using the MP3 director so I guess I'm going to have to go with a relay / MOV setup to work the snow machines that I bought. What's an MOV? for that matter, what (exactly) do I need to buy? And how do I wire it up from the LOR controller to the snow machine. It's all greek to me.THANKS(hangs head in shame)Mike
Max-Paul Posted November 8, 2009 Posted November 8, 2009 Here you go, a good read. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surge_protectorThe MOV is installed across the relay coil or if you can find a way that works better for you, across the terminals at the LOR controller.Does this help?
stonemik Posted November 8, 2009 Posted November 8, 2009 I figured it was a surge suppressor of some sort (via google) but it's the wiring that I don't understand (the relay part) I did install a relay in a sprinkler system on the lake pump but I just had to unsolder and then re-solder it into place the same way. Should I use a solid state relay...SPST or DPDT...
rstately Posted November 8, 2009 Posted November 8, 2009 Max-Paul wrote:Here you go, a good read. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surge_protectorThe MOV is installed across the relay coil or if you can find a way that works better for you, across the terminals at the LOR controller.Does this help?Yes, that helps, I did not understand why when you answered this question correctly, the thread went to X10? I thought maybe X10 acted as a relay or a MOV. but now I'm back on track. Thanks again for your patientsRon
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