Android-controlled electricity source

Hi dear pals! I would like to share an idea I would be working soon,



The system consists in an Android App which you can click "play" and turn on the light or "stop" to turn off.

The thing is [B]which components would you use in "A"? [/B]

is there any easy commercial switcher for "A" (usb or bluetooth)?

Thanks in advance!

Interesting. Depending on your experience, it could be quite challenging.

For starters, you could look at something like this:
http://au.element14.com/microchip/dm240415/kit-development-starter-android/dp/190198001
Use it to receive the command from Android and switch the light via a relay.

A more generic solution would be an embedded webserver connected to a wireless network. You browse to the
units IP address from your browser on the Android device and switch the light via the website. The nice thing about
this solution is there is no cable to the Android device, and you could switch the light from any device on the network, i.e. PC, iPad, other Wifi enabled phone etc.

I did a similar project with a Rabbit Semiconductor webserver, to open/close the garage door, give ambient temperature, read status of other inputs etc. A lot of fun.

Have fun!

Thanks for the reply,

I am I.T. engineer (not an expert in electronics) :)

In the beginning I wanted to have "Android + USB relay controller" but seems what I need is "Android + microcontroller + relay"

Your microcontroller board looks nice but the "IOIO" seems smaller, more cute, cheaper and more fun https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10585

Finally I think "A" would be: IOIO board + 230v/16Amp relay + connector

do you think this is a good solution?

I have not used this board myself, but it looks very handy. Keep the following in mind:

1. You may need an external power supply since your Android device may not be able to supply
enough current to switch a relay to switch the lamp. (i.e. a 5V or 3.3V supply.)
2. It seems you would have to write the Android app yourself. This can be done with the software
development kit being freely available, but is a little learning curve. :o)
3. You would have to drive the relay via a transistor, don't connect it directly to the IOIO board.

Finally I think “A” would be: IOIO board + 230v/16Amp relay + connector

Seems correct, assuming your Android device can supply enough current to drive the relay (via a transistor). The relay should have 5V-6V coil voltage and a 230V/16A contact rating. (Obviously the 230V end is the dangerous bit and you have to be very careful with that.)

Thanks Pieter part of the considerations you said have in mind,

what I guess I gotta do is:

IOIO board + its 2 pins of power supply + MOSFET for -> 230v/16A relay + 230v/16A connector + $5 mini usb bluetooth + one of the tested mobile devices (preferly under 100 Eur "Samsung Galaxy Y" or "HTC Desire S") + protective cover against water and dirt (its a buried outdoor device)

Total cost of the system: around 200 Eurs :D

Two issues:

1º) I doubt a $5 mini usb bluetooth connector is fiable enough to work 24/7/365

2º) Would be needed a fan to keep it "fresh" even when its a buried device?

I will be carefull with the 230V thanks fot the advices

In your last post you mentioned:

Two issues:

1º) I doubt a $5 mini usb bluetooth connector is fiable enough to work 24/7/365
2º) Would be needed a fan to keep it “fresh” even when its a buried device?

What is the mini USB bluetooth connector you are referring to? If this is not going to be plugged in and removed several times a day, what is the problem with it?

What do you mean by 2)? Since the device will not be dissipating a lot of power, heat should not be a problem even
if it is enclosed and burried. No fan required.

What is your application for this?

Thanks again Pieter, IOIO v2 is gonna be launched soon,

the thing its gonna be a prototype meant to work the whole year, I mean

1º) unwired plugs are always less reliable as wired, and the $5 one would heat a lot and break since its meant to work as industrial design the whole year, but aint found documentation about this supposed issue

2º) You may be right, but in South Spain even when its buried we reach more than 40ºC so should consider which kind of protective cover fits better also ;)

Have a nice day!