Subject: From: Date:

RE: [ECS] micro-redac and relays Mark Sekelsky Wed, 30 Dec 1998 13:50:25 -0600

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I switched to a 10K and am having the same problem (state switches to LOW
when power applied but does not switch to HIGH when power removed).  I am
not sure what you meant by "If the last color is anything other than brown,
red or orange, you need a different resistor - all of this assumes the last
color on the resistor is gold!"  Does this mean I do or do not want the last
color to be gold?  The way I read this is that the SECOND to the last color
should be brown, red or orange and the LAST color will be gold.  My 4.7 is
yellow/purple/red/gold.  The 10 is brown/black/orange/gold.

Perhaps I am connecting things wrong. I have the hot wire from the
transformer going into an in-line fuse (.5 amp), the in-line fuse leads to
the resistor, the resistor to the wire that then connects to post 1 of the
Redac.  The other wire off of the transformer goes straight to the ground on
the Redac.

When I turn the receiver ON the state of the digital-c item switches to LOW
almost instantly.  When turning the receiver OFF (and NO resistor in-line)
the state switches to HIGH after about 4 seconds.  I would assume that there
is some residual power in the transformer and these few seconds are normal?

Mark S

-----Original Message-----
From: gbailey [mailto:gbailey@attcanada.net]
Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 1998 11:54 PM
To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
Subject: RE: [ECS] micro-redac and relays


You should probably use something in the order of 1K to 10K.
I use 10K with a 12VDC supply, and the resulting current is just fine for
switching the Redac.
If you have a 4.7K (yellow, violet, orange) you should be OK. (If the last
color is anything other than brown, red or orange, you need a different
resistor - all of this assumes the last color on the resistor is gold!).

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Sekelsky [mailto:Mark@sekelsky.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 1998 7:00 PM
To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
Subject: RE: [ECS] micro-redac and relays


David,

I am almost there.  I found that the transformer was causing the toggling
back and forth and switching to another eliminated that problem.  I now have
a new problem related to the resistor.

With the resistor and fuse in-line I find that when I turn the Receiver ON
the item switches (properly) to LOW.  When I turn the receiver OFF the item
does NOT switch to HIGH.  If I pull the resistor out of the equation
everything works fine.  I assume I want a different resistor (using a 4.7)?
The new transformer is 6watt 12VDC (the old was 5 w 5AC).

BTW-  I have already thought about that doorbell.  I have it on a Powerflash
now, but once this is done I'll switch that over to the Redac as well.

Mark S

-----Original Message-----
From: David Mccoll [mailto:dmccoll@intergate.bc.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 1998 7:33 AM
To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
Subject: Re: [ECS] micro-redac and relays


Mark S,
Sounds encouraging. Don't give up yet. It is worth the learning curve.
Besides once you have this down, you can move on to niftier things like that
doorbell connection !

A piece of wire between the ground terminal and the input should force the
state to be - HIGH. Yep it's the opposite of what you'd expect. A Voltage
will cause the input to read LOW.

Could be a floating input whereby the Redac has a marginal signal (not
enough loop current). You mentioned the transformer was 5 Volt ? The specs
call for 5-12 Volts, so test the input condition with a fresh 9 Volt battery
in place of the transformer and see if that will hold the input at a steady
state. If it works repeat the test from the other end of your wire near your
receiver.

You may also want to create some other Digital-Input-C items and see if they
oscillate. Attach a piece of wire between the ground terminal and the input
to see it the oscillation stops. Oh yes also try both of the ground
terminals and the analog or relay grounds.

As a final test I if you could create a couple of Relay-C items in your
configuration and tell me if they also oscillate. If they do, you will hear
them lightly click-clack very quickly. I have seen a couple of Redacs fail
and exhibit this behavior with the relays. Their power supplies are also
questionable. I  have resorted to running mine off of the PC's power supply
and have had no trouble in a few (knock on wood) years.

DAvid M


-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Sekelsky <Mark@sekelsky.com>
To: David Mccoll <dmccoll@intergate.bc.ca>; ECS List <ecs-list@netbloc.com>
Date: Monday, December 28, 1998 7:33 PM
Subject: RE: [ECS] micro-redac and relays


>David,
>
>First, thanks so much for all your help.  Second I am apparently still
doing
>something wrong.
>
>My Redac has the 8 relays and the 8 analogs across the top of the unit.
>These are so labeled.  The screw posts along the bottom are not labeled and
>I assume these are the digital inputs.  I ran wire to the basement (where
my
>system is) from the transformer.  I am using some phone cable I had laying
>around if that matters.  I hook 1 end up to the screw post labeled "1" and
>the other to either "9" or "10" (the two grounds).  I set up an item in
item
>editor.
>
>When I first create an item in a group window it shows the item (let's call
>it "digital") as being "high."  I would think this is correct (the initial
>state is set to 'none').  When I apply power by turning the receiver ON the
>item (in the group window) begins to toggle back and forth between  "low"
>and "high."  Reversing the wires on the Redac doesn't help.  In fact with
NO
>connections to the Redac the item still toggles back and forth. I assume
>that I am missing something silly? (the good news is that the Powerflash is
>MUCH more reliable in it's new location).
>
>Mark S
>

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