krementz

Hi. I am a complete newbie to this, so my apologies if I am off base.

I want to turn of and on a small 12 volt load (about 5 amps) from 2000 feet away, and I thought R/C for models might provide the technology. I just need to be able to switch off (and on, if possible) a small load. This seems like a simple one channel model.

My questions:

What is the range of these radios? I have 2ooo feet clear, line of sight, no obstructions.

I am in a very remote area, so there is no chance of conflicting radio signals.

what type of radio would be recommended?

Is there anyone onboard who would like to hack together a switch for me?

Thanks,

Rick

Cubby

My Feedback: (1)

krementz,

What sort of system are you creating? I'm not usually one to be suspicious, but a brand new member, with only one post, asking a question that any terrorist would love to find the answer to well... forgive me for being courious.

Cubby

krementz

Terrorist, that's a hoot. I heard the planes hit, and watched the WTC fall down, 5800 feet from my front windows. I live in Jersey City.

I have a summer place on an island in Maine , see www.criehaven.org. My house is shielded from receiving the wireless Internet by a granite hill behind me, but my father's house house has a decent connection. We are both (way) off the grid.

I am installing a small solar charger for the battery at his house. With a continuous draw of 100 watts, I need a substantial power source. If I can turn it off (and on) remotely, and not use any power to keep a relay open, I can save a lot of money on batteries, chargers, etc. The whole point is power conservation.

dirtybird

My Feedback: (5)

I would go to Radio Shack and get a cheap RC Car,take the radio out of the car and attach a micro sw to one of the servoa so that the servo arm throws the micro switch at one end of the travel. If the car radfio does not have enough range for you get an entry level R/C airplane radio and do the same.

Dsegal

> If the car radfio does not have enough range for you get an entry level R/C airplane radio and do the same. <

No, it better a ground frequency radio if it is not for an aircraft.

dirtybird

My Feedback: (5)

So its better that he interfer with RC cars instead of airplanes? Maybe we should have him go to a CB frequency.

Scar

My Feedback: (3)

Geez, every garage door opener sales place, every home improvement place has switches you can turn on & off with your garage door opener. Lights, sump pumps, whatever.

Good luck
Dave Olson

piper_chuck

My Feedback: (12)

The FCC regs are pretty simple. If he's not using the radio for an airplane, he should not use the airplane band. Since it's very likely that the battery he's talking about is not airborne , he should use a surface radio.

krementz

Hey guys,

Would anybody care to answer what is the range of the radio?

As fas as interference, I am 20 miles from the mainland. I am asking for one or two clicks a day for a month or two. The frequencies you are arguing about are shared with other family services.

Best,
Rick

piper_chuck

My Feedback: (12)

The range of the typical R/C transmitter/receiver can be up to a mile, but that's with ideal conditions.

krementz

Thank you. That would be great.

Rv7garage

My Feedback: (10)

Strange thread, ???

Dsegal

It seems to me that the law is that 72mhz cannot be used for ground vehicles. And interference with a machine in the air is significantly more likely to cause harm than interference with a ground vehicle which will probably only run off its track rather than crash down upon someone.

Cubby

My Feedback: (1)

krementz,

What ever radio you choose, this place has a perfect switch for your needs.

http://www.dimensionengineering.com

Look at the Battleswitch. Rated at 10A for load switching and is compatable w/ any receiver you end up with.

Cubby

Mike in DC

I'm still not understanding the application. At one point you mention not wanting to waste power on a relay. But there are relays used in RV applications that do not consume power except when actually switching between states.

krementz

Many relays consume power continuously if on. For example, a normally closed relay when off consumes nothing. Turning it on, often there is a small solenoid holding the contacts open, consuming some power. In the situation of a one hour flight, it probably doesn't matter. If it is on for two weeks, the power consumption might be significant.

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

I'm Scairt [X(]

dirtybird

My Feedback: (5)

A stepping sw does not consume power after it moves. A stepping sw is a type of solonoid relay.

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

Seems to me there would be something in the market that is much better suited for you application, than a model radio. Tasks are performed every day by radio control systems.

dirtybird

My Feedback: (5)

You bet there are. But you will pay more.
Garage door operators and gate drivers are too short range.I suspect they operate under the minimum RF power requirements and cannot be modified.
Probably the best solution that will not interfere with anyone is a 2.4ghz park flier system. I bet it will be cheaper than any industrial controller you can find.