DFR0144 Relay Shield
moallen 2012-07-26 12:26:36 6947 Views3 Replies When the Arduino Fio first came out, I had to have one. Soon it was part of my home security and automation system. I had it out in my remote garage opening and closing the overhead door, letting me know if it was open or closed, triggering the main alarm system if the side door was opened and turning on a big "armed" LED when the main system was set.
For those not familiar with the Arduino Fio model, it has a built in socket for a Xbee rf module. So, you can get the state of things back at your base Xbee (Pro models) up to about 300 feet line of sight. You can even program the Fio remotely.
Synapse, another maker of rf modules, has come out with a RF266PC1 that plugs into a Xbee socket. The Xbee is sort of smart but can't run a real program. The RF266PC1 runs Python, has 15 digital IO pins, 4 of which can be analog and a built-in uart.
I had to have some of them. Then I was looking for an easy way to couple the RF266's to relays and came across the DFR0144 relay shield for Arduinos. It has a socket for Xbee's, the intent being to make an Arduino wireless. After studying the schematic, I realized I could jumper the Xbee socket pins directly to the optically isolated relay input pins without even using an Arduino. Lo and behold, it works.
So, now I have a remote RF266PC1 plugged into a DFR0144 relay shield that can remotely activate its 4 relays, plus sense another 11 inputs. Altogether the cost is less than using an Arduino, Xbee, and relay controller board. I am planning to use this setup on my heating & air conditioning system
I also have a Lynxmotion A4WD Rover with an Arduino Uno on board coupled to an Xbee, which I am going to replace with a single RF266PC1. Another advantage of the Synapse RF modules is they are rated at 4000 feet line of sight. I really doubt that in normal situations but haven't run any distance tests yet. They also have better sleep functions than the Xbee's.
Besides - I like to program in Python.
For those not familiar with the Arduino Fio model, it has a built in socket for a Xbee rf module. So, you can get the state of things back at your base Xbee (Pro models) up to about 300 feet line of sight. You can even program the Fio remotely.
Synapse, another maker of rf modules, has come out with a RF266PC1 that plugs into a Xbee socket. The Xbee is sort of smart but can't run a real program. The RF266PC1 runs Python, has 15 digital IO pins, 4 of which can be analog and a built-in uart.
I had to have some of them. Then I was looking for an easy way to couple the RF266's to relays and came across the DFR0144 relay shield for Arduinos. It has a socket for Xbee's, the intent being to make an Arduino wireless. After studying the schematic, I realized I could jumper the Xbee socket pins directly to the optically isolated relay input pins without even using an Arduino. Lo and behold, it works.
So, now I have a remote RF266PC1 plugged into a DFR0144 relay shield that can remotely activate its 4 relays, plus sense another 11 inputs. Altogether the cost is less than using an Arduino, Xbee, and relay controller board. I am planning to use this setup on my heating & air conditioning system
I also have a Lynxmotion A4WD Rover with an Arduino Uno on board coupled to an Xbee, which I am going to replace with a single RF266PC1. Another advantage of the Synapse RF modules is they are rated at 4000 feet line of sight. I really doubt that in normal situations but haven't run any distance tests yet. They also have better sleep functions than the Xbee's.
Besides - I like to program in Python.
2012-07-27 19:34:09 To be sure the NetDuino is definitely a capable micro. The 32-bits doesn't hurt either ;D
Hector
Hector 2012-07-27 08:43:50 I was just looking at the X-Board. That is a nice device, especially since it can run on 5V. The Fio only runs on 3.3V. I might get one of them, except I have a Netduino I've been using for more than a year. We spent the past 5 winter months in Florida, and I had the Netduino uploading our Indiana house's inside temperature, AC power status and alarm system status to Pachube every 15 minutes. I have to say the Netduino is rock solid. Neither it or Pachube failed once in 5 months, even though the AC power at our house did a half dozen times.
moallen
moallen 2012-07-26 23:46:53 Hi Moallen,
Wow! Excellent first post! Its a real joy to read your post! Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself, I hope I see you around the forum often 8) .
Welcome!
Have you seen our X-Board? It's based on the FIO, but adds an Ethernet port to connect your other Xbee's to your router... Hector
Wow! Excellent first post! Its a real joy to read your post! Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself, I hope I see you around the forum often 8) .
Welcome!
Have you seen our X-Board? It's based on the FIO, but adds an Ethernet port to connect your other Xbee's to your router...
Hector 