Remote power switch via mobile?

petkow · **Remote power switch via mobile? -** 08-09-2009, 11:34

I'm looking for a bit of hardware but I do not even know if it exists. All I want to be able to do is to somehow operate a remote on/off switch via a mobile phone signal.

I am imagining some sort of kit probably cobbled up from an old handset with a prepaid sim card in it which is somehow linked to a relay mechanism which can switch a power circuit on or off. The idea is to be able to ring or SMS or send a GPRS (or better) data signal to the handset to be able to remotely switch a simple circuit.

Does an off-the-shelf cheap solution exist for this, or do I have to cobble something together myself? If something exists, what words should I be googling for?

inquisitor · 08-09-2009, 12:48

There's such a device based on an analogue PSTN interface, which is sold for € 30 and can be expanded to up to 4 power sockets (+ € 10 for each additional one): Google Translate

With a Sagem RL300 or the newer RL302 GSM-Gateway, which you can get in new condition for ~ € 50 from German eBay, you could get what you want.

However I don't know any solution, that is intended for SMS, GPRS or GSM at all.

petkow · 08-09-2009, 14:46

Thanks for that. The first one really is an interesting device. Pity there isn't a PSTN line where I want to set this up, but I suppose the gateway is a viable addition.

Its a little bit pricier than the ueber-crude option that I was initially planning which was to have some sort of an LDR or light sensor which is placed in front of the mobile phone screen. The backlight could then trigger my circuit when the phone was called for example. But there are just way too many things which could go wrong, such as other calls (wrong numbers) as well as other ordinary mobile functions which trigger the light such as low battery etc. However I have just discovered that some electronics hobby shops actually sell something based on this crude principle.

There just must be some better dedicated "box of tricks" based on gsm (and not pstn) technology available somewhere?

RTuesday · 08-09-2009, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by petkow

There just must be some better dedicated "box of tricks" based on gsm (and not pstn) technology available somewhere?

I'd be interested to hear if you do find anything. I'm thinking about something similar to switch on air conditioning or heating (depending on the season) when say an hour or so away from the house when I'm returning from a trip. I don't have a landline.

I like your idea of sensing something happening on the phone, no wires. How about some sort of fairly standard controller based on dtmf (touch tones), X!0 or some other home automation thing (or just a relay). That could listen to the phone for a ring.

On the phone, set a different ring tone depending on who is calling in (lots of phones can do that), and if it's the call/text from you it'll be the right ring tone (a series of dtmf tones) and trigger the right action. If it's a wrong number it'll be a different ring and be ignored.

inquisitor · 09-09-2009, 00:13

I just discovered another solution, which is surely again a bit of an overkill, but it appears to be the most sophisticated one:
There's a 3G/WiFi-router called Dovado UMR (~ € 100 in Germany), that has two USB plugs. One is for a 3G-modem and on the other you can attach a tellstick (~ € 70 including Europe-wide shipping at temperatur.nu), which then allows switching wireless power switches from multiple manufacturers (including Ikea) through web, SMS or a schedule. A bundle of 3 compatible power switches including remote control costs € 30 in Germany. Add a USB modem for € 30, and the total investment for enabling remote switch of up to 3 devices would amount to € 230.

petkow · 10-09-2009, 16:15

I really like that second product Inquisitor. I could have a lot of fun with that. Though its a bit expensive it could also solve a few multiple problems... Like sharing a 3G connection on multiple computers and webcams.

Thanks for the input. I will do a bit more research and then report back if I take a step.

RTuesday... Like you, the main application I want this for is heating control. For people who have second homes, or weekend getaways... Remote controlled temperature control is a great benefit. In my experience, 7 day timers are useless, because no one can really predict when they will be wanting to go or when they will get there. Also, as is the case in my situation... Frequent power outages would mean a battery powered timer... which adds to the cost over mains operated ones.

I'll keep you posted...

PhotoJim · 10-09-2009, 17:35

The PSTN box might still be usable if you have Internet connectivity... that lets you use VoIP. With some sneaky application you might even be able to use a mobile network data connection.

9eor9 · 20-09-2009, 15:08

There is a GSM Remote module from Conrad Electronic (Conrad Electronic - Europas führendes Versandhandelsunternehmen für Elektronik und Technik)

The link is definitely too long, so please go to conrad.de and search for: GSM
The order number (Artikel-Nummer) of this module is 196666-PS

Expensive, but looks nice.....

9eor9 · 20-09-2009, 18:20

There is a second model from Conrad, Model GX-101 (above is GX-106)
Artikel-Nr. 196800 - 62

petkow · 20-09-2009, 23:28

These are really nice! Thanks for the research. Sounds pretty much perfect for remote temperature control, but this even allows remote monitoring of inside/outside temperatures which is an added bonus. All can be controlled by SMS too!

A good find. Thanks. I now have some decisions to make between this one or the other one suggested by inquisitor which has a few more options too.

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	(#1 (permalink))
petkow (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Pioneer Posts: 683 Join Date: 01 Aug 2006 Location: Madrid Country:	Remote power switch via mobile? - 08-09-2009, 11:34 I'm looking for a bit of hardware but I do not even know if it exists. All I want to be able to do is to somehow operate a remote on/off switch via a mobile phone signal. I am imagining some sort of kit probably cobbled up from an old handset with a prepaid sim card in it which is somehow linked to a relay mechanism which can switch a power circuit on or off. The idea is to be able to ring or SMS or send a GPRS (or better) data signal to the handset to be able to remotely switch a simple circuit. Does an off-the-shelf cheap solution exist for this, or do I have to cobble something together myself? If something exists, what words should I be googling for?

	(#2 (permalink))
inquisitor (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Specialist Posts: 884 Join Date: 15 Nov 2006 Country:	08-09-2009, 12:48 There's such a device based on an analogue PSTN interface, which is sold for € 30 and can be expanded to up to 4 power sockets (+ € 10 for each additional one): Google Translate With a Sagem RL300 or the newer RL302 GSM-Gateway, which you can get in new condition for ~ € 50 from German eBay, you could get what you want. However I don't know any solution, that is intended for SMS, GPRS or GSM at all. terminals: Motorola: Milestone, F3; Nokia: N95, 1208; BenQ-Siemens: S68; Huawei: E5, E1823, E1762, K3715, K3765, EM770 in Asus Eee PC 901 GO; Qualcomm Gobi 2000 in Sony VAIO VPC-Z12X9E/X postpaid: DE: O2 Blue 100 Flex; prepaid: DE: Lidl, Fonic, Tchibo, solomo pro, congstar, T-Mobile, Vodafone, otelo; CH: Swisscom Natel Easy BeFree, Sunrise go dayflat, Lebara; OK,-mobile; UK: T-Mobile, 3; NL: T-Mobile; ES: Vodafone, MÁSmovil, simyo; HU: T-Mobile; BG: MTel, Globul, vivatel, Petrol mobile; INT'L: none

	(#3 (permalink))
petkow (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Pioneer Posts: 683 Join Date: 01 Aug 2006 Location: Madrid Country:	08-09-2009, 14:46 Thanks for that. The first one really is an interesting device. Pity there isn't a PSTN line where I want to set this up, but I suppose the gateway is a viable addition. Its a little bit pricier than the ueber-crude option that I was initially planning which was to have some sort of an LDR or light sensor which is placed in front of the mobile phone screen. The backlight could then trigger my circuit when the phone was called for example. But there are just way too many things which could go wrong, such as other calls (wrong numbers) as well as other ordinary mobile functions which trigger the light such as low battery etc. However I have just discovered that some electronics hobby shops actually sell something based on this crude principle. There just must be some better dedicated "box of tricks" based on gsm (and not pstn) technology available somewhere?

	(#5 (permalink))
inquisitor (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Specialist Posts: 884 Join Date: 15 Nov 2006 Country:	09-09-2009, 00:13 I just discovered another solution, which is surely again a bit of an overkill, but it appears to be the most sophisticated one: There's a 3G/WiFi-router called Dovado UMR (~ € 100 in Germany), that has two USB plugs. One is for a 3G-modem and on the other you can attach a tellstick (~ € 70 including Europe-wide shipping at temperatur.nu), which then allows switching wireless power switches from multiple manufacturers (including Ikea) through web, SMS or a schedule. A bundle of 3 compatible power switches including remote control costs € 30 in Germany. Add a USB modem for € 30, and the total investment for enabling remote switch of up to 3 devices would amount to € 230. terminals: Motorola: Milestone, F3; Nokia: N95, 1208; BenQ-Siemens: S68; Huawei: E5, E1823, E1762, K3715, K3765, EM770 in Asus Eee PC 901 GO; Qualcomm Gobi 2000 in Sony VAIO VPC-Z12X9E/X postpaid: DE: O2 Blue 100 Flex; prepaid: DE: Lidl, Fonic, Tchibo, solomo pro, congstar, T-Mobile, Vodafone, otelo; CH: Swisscom Natel Easy BeFree, Sunrise go dayflat, Lebara; OK,-mobile; UK: T-Mobile, 3; NL: T-Mobile; ES: Vodafone, MÁSmovil, simyo; HU: T-Mobile; BG: MTel, Globul, vivatel, Petrol mobile; INT'L: none Last edited by inquisitor; 09-09-2009 at 00:35..

	(#6 (permalink))
petkow (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Pioneer Posts: 683 Join Date: 01 Aug 2006 Location: Madrid Country:	10-09-2009, 16:15 I really like that second product Inquisitor. I could have a lot of fun with that. Though its a bit expensive it could also solve a few multiple problems... Like sharing a 3G connection on multiple computers and webcams. Thanks for the input. I will do a bit more research and then report back if I take a step. RTuesday... Like you, the main application I want this for is heating control. For people who have second homes, or weekend getaways... Remote controlled temperature control is a great benefit. In my experience, 7 day timers are useless, because no one can really predict when they will be wanting to go or when they will get there. Also, as is the case in my situation... Frequent power outages would mean a battery powered timer... which adds to the cost over mains operated ones. I'll keep you posted...

	(#7 (permalink))
PhotoJim (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 378 Join Date: 10 Dec 2006 Location: Regina, SK, CA Country:	10-09-2009, 17:35 The PSTN box might still be usable if you have Internet connectivity... that lets you use VoIP. With some sneaky application you might even be able to use a mobile network data connection. GSM: CA: SaskTel (postpaid voice/data,,postpaid data), Rogers (postpaid data); UK: Orange, 3; CH: Swisscom; AT: tele.ring; US: T-Mobile, AT&T, Red Pocket Mobile, Telestial Simple Calling; EE: AirBalticcard CDMA: US: PagePlus Hardware: iPhone 4, iPhone 3G, Nokia E63, Nokia Nuron, Novatel Ovation MC950D & MC998D data sticks, Huawei UG1691 data stick (3G AWS), Motorola RAZR V3, Sony-Ericsson K610i, Sony-Ericsson Z310i, Otech F1 (quad sim) (all unlocked)

	(#8 (permalink))
9eor9 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Fan Posts: 183 Join Date: 10 Apr 2009 Country:	20-09-2009, 15:08 There is a GSM Remote module from Conrad Electronic (Conrad Electronic - Europas führendes Versandhandelsunternehmen für Elektronik und Technik) The link is definitely too long, so please go to conrad.de and search for: GSM The order number (Artikel-Nummer) of this module is 196666-PS Expensive, but looks nice.....

	(#9 (permalink))
9eor9 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Fan Posts: 183 Join Date: 10 Apr 2009 Country:	20-09-2009, 18:20 There is a second model from Conrad, Model GX-101 (above is GX-106) Artikel-Nr. 196800 - 62

	(#10 (permalink))
petkow (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Pioneer Posts: 683 Join Date: 01 Aug 2006 Location: Madrid Country:	20-09-2009, 23:28 These are really nice! Thanks for the research. Sounds pretty much perfect for remote temperature control, but this even allows remote monitoring of inside/outside temperatures which is an added bonus. All can be controlled by SMS too! A good find. Thanks. I now have some decisions to make between this one or the other one suggested by inquisitor which has a few more options too.