Vera to control low power relay

Other Devices & Integrations Lighting & Load Control
1

I am looking for a way to create a low power temporary button push for multiple devices. I’ve searched the boards, but have not been able to find anything yet.

Basically what I am trying to do is fashion a device that can control my alarm system and garage door opener. I have an older alarm system that isn’t wifi or z-wave compatible. Previously I used a GE outdoor module connected to a relay with a fuse which was wired to the contacts of a garage door remote. I created an event which temporarily closes the switch, pauses then opens the switch. This was a couple years ago and seemed like the only option at the time, even if it was overkill.

Now I want to do something similar with the other garage door and a remote fob to turn on/off my security system. I’m comfortable with soldering and stuff of that nature (see original solution), but it seems like it is too much equipment for what I’m trying to do. I know there are arudino shields that have multiple relays for low power. Is there anything like this that I could use for what I’m trying to do?

2

I would/do use a dry contact module to close the switch(press the button) on fobs and garage door remotes. There are several to choose from:

FortrezZ MIMOliteUS - Z-Wave Multi-input/output Dry Contact Bridge

Remotec Z-Wave Dry Contact Fixture Module

Linear FS20Z-1 Z-Wave in Wall Fixture Module

or make your own as you previously did.

3

[quote=“Z-Waver, post:2, topic:182673”]I would/do use a dry contact module to close the switch(press the button) on fobs and garage door remotes. There are several to choose from:

FortrezZ MIMOliteUS - Z-Wave Multi-input/output Dry Contact Bridge

Remotec Z-Wave Dry Contact Fixture Module

Linear FS20Z-1 Z-Wave in Wall Fixture Module

or make your own as you previously did.[/quote]

I agree with the above, you didn’t search very much. I presonally use 4 MIMOlites to to control 3 garage doors and a driveway gate. The hardware has a 2 wire sensor input and the 3 terminal relay on it. The garage door plugin takes care of the stuff in vera and it works good.

If your doing everything in one place and don’t need the input sensors this would also work

http://www.smarthome.com/global-cache-ip2cc-itach-ip-to-relay-contact-closure.html

There is a plugin for this so Vera can read control the 3 low voltage relays. I would do this to save money and if I didn’t need to run the low voltage wires far (had all doors or remotes in one place).

4

Would Relay | MySensors - Create your own Connected Home Experience work? It is compatible with Vera.

5

I used cheap intermatic receptacle <$20. Then a salvage +12VDC wall wart transformer. The wall wart plugged into switch side of the receptacle. The low voltage side goes to coil of a $4 automotive relay. The relay contacts are good to 40A @12VDC. You can find single unit dry contact zwave switches but not as inexpensive as this.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

6

[quote=“integlikewhoa, post:3, topic:182673”][quote=“Z-Waver, post:2, topic:182673”]I would/do use a dry contact module to close the switch(press the button) on fobs and garage door remotes. There are several to choose from:

FortrezZ MIMOliteUS - Z-Wave Multi-input/output Dry Contact Bridge

Remotec Z-Wave Dry Contact Fixture Module

Linear FS20Z-1 Z-Wave in Wall Fixture Module

or make your own as you previously did.[/quote]

I agree with the above, you didn’t search very much. I presonally use 4 MIMOlites to to control 3 garage doors and a driveway gate. The hardware has a 2 wire sensor input and the 3 terminal relay on it. The garage door plugin takes care of the stuff in vera and it works good.

If your doing everything in one place and don’t need the input sensors this would also work

http://www.smarthome.com/global-cache-ip2cc-itach-ip-to-relay-contact-closure.html

There is a plugin for this so Vera can read control the 3 low voltage relays. I would do this to save money and if I didn’t need to run the low voltage wires far (had all doors or remotes in one place).[/quote]

I actually did search, but all of the devices I had come across seemed to be overkill, which is why I was asking for suggestions.

7

[quote=“mjbok, post:6, topic:182673”][quote=“integlikewhoa, post:3, topic:182673”][quote=“Z-Waver, post:2, topic:182673”]I would/do use a dry contact module to close the switch(press the button) on fobs and garage door remotes. There are several to choose from:

FortrezZ MIMOliteUS - Z-Wave Multi-input/output Dry Contact Bridge

Remotec Z-Wave Dry Contact Fixture Module

Linear FS20Z-1 Z-Wave in Wall Fixture Module

or make your own as you previously did.[/quote]

I agree with the above, you didn’t search very much. I presonally use 4 MIMOlites to to control 3 garage doors and a driveway gate. The hardware has a 2 wire sensor input and the 3 terminal relay on it. The garage door plugin takes care of the stuff in vera and it works good.

If your doing everything in one place and don’t need the input sensors this would also work

http://www.smarthome.com/global-cache-ip2cc-itach-ip-to-relay-contact-closure.html

There is a plugin for this so Vera can read control the 3 low voltage relays. I would do this to save money and if I didn’t need to run the low voltage wires far (had all doors or remotes in one place).[/quote]

I actually did search, but all of the devices I had come across seemed to be overkill, which is why I was asking for suggestions.[/quote]

Do these options seem better or still “overkill”? By overkill what do you mean? Price?

You mentioned Arduino and you can certainly use that with VERA. That’s probley the cheapest way if you want to build and package it yourself. You can buy the board or boards (if you want to wireless back to vera), buy the case to enclose them, relays, wires, batteries and holder or wall wort to power it up. By the time you get done your not going to save alot (or any if you buy the real Arduino boards not Chinese) and your housing and such might look ok but still won’t have that finished look as say a MIMOlite that cost 50.00 will.

If you have plans to use more or are already using Ardino then cost isn’t as bad.

http://www.mysensors.org/build/vera more info on Ardino with VERA.

8

By overkill I meant size as well as price. God knows this isn’t a cheap “hobby” and every move is 50 dollar spot, but I guess I’m looking for something that doesn’t exist off the shelf. With a mimo it is simple enough to do, but I would need three devices to accomplish what I’m looking to do. With an Ardino I could probably do all of it (3 separate relays) in one device, but it adds a layer of complexity.

9

Well it don’t get much better then what we posted. Did you look at the Itach?

It’s 3 relays in one small box, wall wort. It’s not 30.00 bux but gives you small size.

Still all these options beat the old fashion way like you did before. The outdoor z-wave plug is 35.00 or so, plus relay and high voltage toying around. Only for one.

Ardino is the cheapest for 3 relay’s that’s for sure and is small.

Have you looked into the alarm more. My alarm is not z-wave nor is it wifi, but a serial cable runs to the USB port on the VERA and all sensors (motions, doors, windows, siren smoke) all now work in vera.

An alarm board is only around 50 to 60.00 to swap only your main board out with one to hook to vera. I’m not sure what your doing with your sensors, but all your alarm sensor would now show in vera same as 30.00 each z-wave ones.

Also the alarm boards (I have a GE) has 4 relays on that board that I can now control with VERA. And my garage doors already had door sensors on them wired to the alarm.

10

Well it don’t get much better then what we posted. Did you look at the Itach?

It’s 3 relays in one small box, wall wort. It’s not 30.00 bux but gives you small size.

Still all these options beat the old fashion way like you did before. The outdoor z-wave plug is 35.00 or so, plus relay and high voltage toying around. Only for one.

Ardino is the cheapest for 3 relay’s that’s for sure and is small.

Have you looked into the alarm more. My alarm is not z-wave nor is it wifi, but a serial cable runs to the USB port on the VERA and all sensors (motions, doors, windows, siren smoke) all now work in vera.

An alarm board is only around 50 to 60.00 to swap only your main board out with one to hook to vera. I’m not sure what your doing with your sensors, but all your alarm sensor would now show in vera same as 30.00 each z-wave ones.

Also the alarm boards (I have a GE) has 4 relays on that board that I can now control with VERA. And my garage doors already had door sensors on them wired to the alarm.[/quote]

I think the iTach is my best route. I’m trying to balance things out with the “if I get hit by a bus can anybody figure out how I configured this” vs my desire to tinker. I do appreciate all the suggestions from here.