Power and Control Box

[ncjunk]

Following on from Yesyes Power box I decided to copy his design and do one for myself. I have different USB hubs to him as I found some 5.25" pc ones that will fit, I am using the normal car power sockets and I have also included 16 relays and an Arduino.

The Arduino will be used with an ethernet shield to control the relays and turn the power on when required. It will also control the cloud sensor and relay the cloud sensor info to my webpage.

So, I have spent the last month buying bits off of ebay and now I have enough to start!

I have spent 4 hours today with the dremel cutting out plastic....lovely smell! I think I have spent 2 hours marking it up as well...yesyes wasn´t wrong this does take a while and it´s not cheap. But at least when I finish I will be able to control everything from the house

Here are the parts and the box:-

[ianaiken]

Good start - probably collecting the bits is the longest part. What cloud sensor are you using, will this automate the OBS somewhat so that if it becomes cloudy it will close down and power everything off?

[ncjunk]

Eventually yes. At the moment I use ACP and Maxim and generally only image if its clear all night. This is more so that I can shut it down from the house without going outside or turn off Focuser power or camera power if I need to (I could warm up the QHY8l tec and when it gets to ambient turn the power off remotely).

I need to also sort out a motor for the roll off and link that in but this first part is about providing power to all the cameras etc, providing 2 usb powered hubs and allowing the PC to be turned on remotely.

I´ll then intergrate it all into ACP at some point.

[ncjunk]

Another pic....need to think where i am putting the other 3 power sockets,

[yesyes]

Very nice. I recognise that box....

I specifically chose not to use these car power sockets. I dislike them a lot (to put it mildly). In my opinion these plugs are held in place by pure chance and they pull out faaar to easily.

[Gina]

I wholehearted agree about car power sockets - dreadful things - I've had no end of trouble with them in the past. I even now tend to avoid connecting car related things to the cigarette lighter socket and connect them directly or with more reliable connectors.

[ncjunk]

I've not had a problem but i understand you point. I have all the leads with those damn connectors on but couldnt be bothered to cut them and stick some others on.

The other down side of these connectors is the amount of space they take up.

It will work, be controllable and tidy things up so it fullfills my requirements

[ncjunk]

I have been a bit busy with work etc but have today free for doing some bits so am trying to finish my power box.

I have now managed to get a simple web page (based on some example code from the net, I´ll post a reference later and acknowledgment) running which controls 2 relays to switch the 12v power of two devices.

This is the very functional web interface:-

Here is the Arduino set up:-

I´ll post some code and updates when I can. The main problem to solve is the position of the relays on start up. The relays are triggered when the output goes low and at present some of the outputs go low when the Arduino initialises causing a change in state. Áll I need is that on start up the Relays do not change state otherwise I risk turning on multiple power supplies after a power failure. Obviously what I want is a controlled turning on of the power and a sequence but mainly no change of state on powerup (remaining de-energised).

Update:- Solved the relay problem. With a relay configuration that requires a LOW output to energise it can trigger the relay when you set the pinmode to Output (when you inicialise the pin it´s default is OFF). So you have to set the pin to HIGH first before enabling the pin as an output.

I´ll post some more pics later.

[Davey-T]

Have to agree with other posts car lighter sockets are rubbish at maintaining reliable contact ,it's really annoying if your camera stops and you don't notice.

I use Powercon mains plugs from Maplin that twist and lock and have to be manually released.

The sockets can be wired with crimp on terminals so no soldering.

Davey-T

[ncjunk]

I understand the hatred but I have never had a problem with them sorry everybody! no problem with cameras or any other power issue.

I get more problems with poor usb cables and usb cables needing to be unplugged and plugged back in again after a drop in the connection.

I am begining to feel like a pariah here

maybe it's because it's permanant install so the cables dont get moved around much.

...are you sure you are all pluging them in the right way up?

[Gina]

I agree about USB connectors - terrible things!

[ncjunk]

Here is the Arduino installed and all power working correctly. I have to add ventilation, put the usb hubs

back in (10 sec job) and also start thinking about connections for the cloud sensor to the Arduino.

As a side note, the power to the relays must be to a separate 5v supply. You remove a jumper and connect

the GND and JD-VCC to the separate supply. You then connect VCC to the Arduino +5 but don´t connect

any GND from the Arduino to the relays GND.

I tried it with the Arduino powering the relays and when you get to relay number 4 energised the LEDs on the

Arduino and ethernet shield start to flicker....it all still works up to 6 LEDs (thats all I am using) but I wouldn´t

want to bet my lunch on how long it would work for like that.

Please don´t insult my poor 12v connectors again I know they are unloved

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I may try using it next week but I also want a UPS before starting to use this. Make sure I can shut everything down properly on a power failure.

[Davey-T]

Please don´t insult my poor 12v connectors again I know they are unloved

Not to insult your connectors but to say that not all lighter plugs are created equal especially some fitted as original equipment.

The worst one I had was on a Kendrick dew heater ,it needed reseating every five minutes.

Davey-T

[ncjunk]

Not to insult your connectors but to say that not all lighter plugs are created equal especially some fitted as original equipment.

The worst one I had was on a Kendrick dew heater ,it needed reseating every five minutes.

Davey-T

Thats true, I have one that is lovely with a fuse and well built....then another that is a cheap old pile of...rubbish...but works ok.

I'll be sure to post if I get any problems