[TriLUG] OT: need ideas for a project that just landed in my lap

[Brian Bell]

You could use a simple I/O module from a building automation system. 
This example is slightly overkill, but it would work. (You would want 
either the 982EN-4x or the 983EN-4x (i'd spend the extra 25 and get the 
bidirectional I/O )
http://www.acromag.com/parts.cfm?Model_ID=307&Product_Function_ID=27&Category_ID=22&Group_ID=2

The module has a web based interface that you can use to open/close the 
wired inputs.   It is meant to be tied into a full Modbus protocol 
network, but it would serve your needs fine as a standalone.   It is not 
wireless, so you would need some kind of access point next to it.

Oh, and its $375. :)  But how much would it cost you to rent a trencher???

Brian



Greg Brown wrote:
> Here's the situation: the campground that hosts one of my wireless empires
> has a security gate (the kind with an arm that moves up and down).  The gate
> is controlled by a garage door remote control and two hard wired buttons.
> Both buttons are broken and the owner can't tear up the road to put down new
> wires for the hard wired buttons.
>
> They want a web-based "button" they can press to raise the gate.  I have NO
> EARTHLY IDEA where to start with this.  The good news is I have wireless in
> place and a Linux server doing light duty.  The only thing I can think that
> would work would be to put a Linux box of some kid (hopefully lightweight,
> an OpenWRT(ish) kind of thing) out in the gate house attached to whatever
> the broken wire was attached to.  Then when someone presses the "I'm here
> dammit, raise the gate" button they could web over to that device and press
> a button on a web page that would set power to a serial connection that
> would complete the circuit on the gate controller that would then raise the
> gate.
>
> I have an unused Asus access point that runs OpenWRT AND has two USB ports.
> I don't know anything about programming for USB.  Can I use this box and
> power up a wire that would open the gate?   What about a wireless attached
> soekris 4501?   It at least has a 9 pin serial connector.  Any thoughts?
>
> Greg
>   

-- 
Brian Bell
Kneecap Interactive
919-321-1365
bbell at kneecap.net