Remote power switch for observatory

[TraKtorman]

Hi all, I am moving my observatory in the next few months. At its next location it will be about 400m from the house. The view is better. See happy snap. It will have a Wi-Fi connection but not a wired ethernet connection to the house (control room). I would like to install a remotely controlled power switch for the equipment so I can have a remote start up and shut down. I am looking at using something from digital loggers, either www.digital-loggers.com/prospec.pdf or www.digital-loggers.com/220.html
Does anyone have experience with these products? Or is there another solution that anyone can recommend. Grateful any comments or suggestions.
Thanks in advance. Peter

[glend]

I need a solution too. I want to be able to turn on the dew heaters controller before I start a session. Will watch with interest.

[lazjen]

Not sure if it's in the right category for you, but what about something from lunatico, e.g. Dragonfly - https://www.lunaticastronomical.com/DragonFly-observatory-control-box

[AndrewJ]

The WiFi RigRunner units are mainly for 12V DC controls
http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=rr_400 5i

but one channel could always be set to energise the remote 240V supply relay. That way you only need a small 12V battery backup supply online at the remote site to keep it alive.

Andrew

[glend]

Why does it have to be some dedicated astro product ( which means expensive)? There are plenty of wifi AC switch units on the market. One unit can switch on a power board. As he is powerung a home observatory it probably has AC anyway.

Something like this,

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=w8fi+AC+switch&client=tablet-android-samsung&sa=X&biw=768&bih=1024&tbs=vw:l,ss:44&tbm=shop&prmd=sivn&srpd=14687608852773734847&prds=num:1,of:1,epd:146876088527737 34847,paur:ClkAsKraX7FdxYn5mm0vt5Oq A_x0Ti9Z6imlHfufdZ6R01zB72_K-3VSdp5r2omn9PfS8mA9QGvmWr4nva99tFyY 9C121NUkCKR3yeiZS_g4cZQsf1dezPU69RI ZAFPVH708w38qyoh5t3oxWVrFVGrJoeyawA&ved=0ahUKEwiphd6goa_bAhUJ57wKHTkRDO sQgjYI-gQ

Or this from Jaycar


https://www.ebay.com.au/p/240v-Mains-Wi-fi-Wireless-Switch-Module-With-App-MS6126/1183822014?iid=253145828890&chn=ps&ul_ref=https%253A%252F%252Frover.eb ay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F705-139619-5960-0%252F2%253Fmpre%253Dhttps%25253A%2 5252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com.au%25252Fp %25252F240v-Mains-Wi-fi-Wireless-Switch-Module-With-App-MS6126%25252F1183822014%25253Fiid%2 5253D253145828890%252526chn%25253Dp s%2526itemid%253D253145828890%2526t argetid%253D430592817082%2526device %253Dt%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googl eloc%253D1000616%2526poi%253D%2526c ampaignid%253D1340835040%2526adgrou pid%253D55274951233%2526rlsatarget% 253Dpla-430592817082%2526abcId%253D1138866% 2526merchantid%253D115424862%2526gc lid%253DEAIaIQobChMIgLut2aGv2wIVEg4 rCh3-RQGlEAkYASABEgJBRvD_BwE%2526srcrot% 253D705-139619-5960-0%2526rvr_id%253D1548832168537%2526 rvr_ts%253Db4c427951630ac892c9451e8 fffd11af

[AndrewJ]

Gday Glen

The RigRunners actually appear to have come out of the Ham Radio world, but were picked up because they worked natively at 12V, which suited Astro installations.

If you want to these days, you could get a simple Arduino based kit and put your own together ( incl WiFi ), based on exactly what you want.
Lots of options.
Andrew

[Peter Ward]

I use a digital loggers unit in my Observatory. Very reliable...its been going strong for well over a decade. The price is hardly expensive, given its versatility and build quality.

[Paul Haese]

I use these at my remote observatories. They have their own Web Page so you can remote in.

https://www.scorptec.com.au/product/Networking-Wired/IP-Power/60300-9858DX

[lazjen]

The reason I made my suggestion was because of the astro related support in the product - ASCOM integration - which might be useful to help control things with the power, etc.

[redbeard]

Hi Chris,

One thing to consider is the 400 mtr distance you want to cover.
Might pay to do a couple of wifi tests, unless you already have.

Here is a different approach with some variations listed down the page:
https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/156031/very-long-distance-ethernet-connection-for-internet-and-other-data-2000-feet


Cheers,
Damien.

[glend]

I have decided to try one of these:

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/tp-link-smart-wifi-plug-with-energy-monitoring-hs110-sytphs110?catargetid=62001544000050 8549&CAPCID=210355546511&cadevice=t&catci=dsa-19959388920&agid=11134085785&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2dLahoqx2wIVzjUrC h2KagepEAAYASAAEgIvJ_D_BwE

I don't think I will need a WiFi extender, but I might get one anyway because they are so cheap now.

If my research is correct these little things can be voice controlled via Alexa, etc. " Alexa turn the observatory power on". I imagine a future where we can just say "Alexa, Park the scope and close the roof."

[lazjen]

Damien, I'm not the OP with the 400 feet requirement. But your point is still valid.

For me, I'm planning to run a trench for power + network cable to my new setup. Not sure of the distance, but it'll be a lot less than 400 feet.

[redbeard]

Oops my bad, I meant Peter. Cheers

400 mtrs is too long for Ethernet as max distance is 100 mtrs

Even 400 feet is too far.

Wifi repeaters may work but you have to power them along the way.

[lazjen]

Now why the heck did I say feet? I'm more metric then imperial. :)

[diegocolonnello]

i use a Dragonfly from Lunatico, it drives relays over the web and also has 8 inputs that i use to know the status of my power supplies and the roof, it drives relays that control from 12v to 240v..... one of them to power on the computer, another for focuser, heaters, mount, roof open and close, etc

they also have a mobile app to control it and the unit logs in on the cloud so it is easy to connect remotely to it.

[TraKtorman]

All, thanks for the comments and discussion, its very helpful. Peter Ward, thanks, it's comforting to know the Digital loggers stuff works! Paul Haese I will check those AViosys IP power controllers too. . . they look good. Redbeard, I currently have a wifi extender working over 70m , I will have line of sight from the observatory to the house at Krawarree. I expect/hope that the current setup will be adequate for that distance. I do not plan to run ethernet cable (or power) 400m from the house. One 70m trench for the current setup was enough! Diego thanks for the Dragonfly info. I will look at that too. Though I am not that technically oriented, so the Digital Loggers and the Aviosys boxes are more attractive to me for their simplicity. cheers.