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I think that wireless remote control is great! Because every remote controller seems to have their separate different ID codes. And I hope that extra controllers and extra outlets are available soon. And maybe I could use that in my Mig Welding.

[quote="martian"]Maybe this is a bit easier to implement. Also it can mimic any remote controller.
http://www.lumme.org/martti/martian/Martian_Tricks/Blog/Entries/2009/2/27_Remote_RF_Power_switch.html
[/quote]

Thank you for your feedback on this.

This is actually something I have thought to do some day.
I have read of same type of trick from places, but never had time to try that.
On problems with this kind of thing is the hardness of making the accurate
sample rate controlling for sending and receiving bits from different PC ports
under modern multitasking operating systems (I did this kind of tricks at DOS era
for IR remote controlling several times).

You put some valuable information on your web page regarding to this...
What would be nice would be a ready to run application for receiving and transmitting
those IR codes.

[img]http://www.lumme.org/martti/martian/Martian_Tricks/Blog/Entries/2009/2/27_Remote_RF_Power_switch_files/shapeimage_6.png[/img]

[code]
IV Code

void rf_xmit(unsigned long data, char cnt)

{

unsigned long mask;

int i;

//preamble

for(i=0;i<4;i++){

down();

up();

}

down();

mask = (long)1<<cnt;

for(;mask >>= 1;){

up();

if(data & mask) {up();down();}

else {down();up();}

up();

down();

}

up();

}


void rfo(unsigned int addr, unsigned int data)

{

unsigned long bits;

up();

delay32(4000);

bits = ((long)addr<<10) | data;

rf_xmit(bits,24);

delay32(512);

rf_xmit(bits,24);

tri_state();

}
[/code]

Maybe this is a bit easier to implement. Also it can mimic any remote controller.
http://www.lumme.org/martti/martian/Martian_Tricks/Blog/Entries/2009/2/27_Remote_RF_Power_switch.html

[quote="Tomi Engdahl"]Product: COTECH Electric 36-1183
Short description: Three on/off type remote controllers that plug to mains outlets and one four channel wireless remote controller for them
Bought from: Clas Ohlson http://www.clasohlson.fi/
Produc information pages: get catalogue from http://www.clasohlson.fi/finland/pdf/ClasOhlson_kat2006_FI.pdf and look at page 2 (page 4 on pdf file)
Price: 22.95 Euros

When I visited later on Clas Ohlson shop I saw that this wireless remote control set has changed the packaging. The new package has GA brand in it instead of COTECH. Otherwise products are identical and work the same (also nicely together). So it was only the packaging that changed told the sales people on the shop.

The product selectin seems to have expanded also.
Now there is also available outdoor rated (IP44) switch units for mains outlet.

It also seems that the remote switch units that are self learning could be replrgrammed with new code if needed, at least some units...

Product: COTECH Electric 36-1183
Short description: Three on/off type remote controllers that plug to mains outlets and one four channel wireless remote controller for them
Bought from: Clas Ohlson http://www.clasohlson.fi/
Produc information pages: get catalogue from http://www.clasohlson.fi/finland/pdf/ClasOhlson_kat2006_FI.pdf and look at page 2 (page 4 on pdf file)
Price: 22.95 Euros

Quite cheap and well working. This system seems to work quite well when you get it first running.

One downside this system has, the initial programming of the remote switc modules is not the most convient: the units can be programmed to respond to different button settings on different remote controllers. The idea is to press the button on the module long enough to start programming, then press the controlelr button many times until the module gets it right enough many times. The modules are easy to program in this way if everythign goes well.. But if somethign goes wrong the modules ends up useless, because it seems that they can be programmed only once permanently! At least for me tryign the programmign again does not seem to work... not good in environment where 100% success in first programmign round is not guaranteed.
But anyways when thigns work there is always the warranty... (the person on the desk sais that this happens sometimes and gave me new outlet unit, easy for those who have shop nearby).

Every remote controller seems to have their separate different ID codes.. so the module you have after programming is locked to just one remote controller and one channel on it forever (this could be good or bad depending on case, I think this is not very convient on some application I have in my mind).

Extra controllers and extra outlets are available for around 9 Euros each.

I have adapted this device for a home automation application where I have wired the remote controller to a PC. Some details of that can be foun dat http://www.epanorama.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1636&start=45