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Deadbolt indicator

D

David Humpherys

Jan 1, 1970
0
@ABLE1:
I picked up those switches - very cool! they will work great.
Now I'm considering more of the installation of this idea and you mentionedyou had done it. Curious how you approached it.

I'd like to run the wire upstairs to my kitchen - I have access through some existing wiring. I'm thinking of adding a wall plate and putting the electronics in an electrical box (the kind you use for a switch). Adding the LED to the plate and making connectors with something like this.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103982
Any thoughts? Love to know how you did it.

Also, I'm trying to determine if i should use a battery (and maybe add a push switch to extend the life) - or figure out how to hook it to house power..

This is all new to me and I'm learning a ton.
Appreciate any help.
 
J

Jasen Betts

Jan 1, 1970
0
@ABLE1:
I picked up those switches - very cool! they will work great.
Now I'm considering more of the installation of this idea and you mentioned you had done it. Curious how you approached it.

I'd like to run the wire upstairs to my kitchen - I have access through some existing wiring. I'm thinking of adding a wall plate and putting the electronics in an electrical box (the kind you use for a switch). Adding the LED to the plate and making connectors with something like this.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103982
Any thoughts? Love to know how you did it.

Also, I'm trying to determine if i should use a battery (and maybe add a push switch to extend the life) - or figure out how to hook it to house power.

This is all new to me and I'm learning a ton.
Appreciate any help.

If you've got a powered doorbell you could probably power it off that,
else messing with house power is probably not worth the aditional
complexity it will add, if you don't want to change batteries it's
probably best to re-purpose an old phone charger, or buy something
similar new.
 
T

Tom Biasi

Jan 1, 1970
0
You can get a 'door alarm' at a Dollar Tree store for $1 that has a
reed switch, a magnet in a plastic case and three LR44 batteries. It
also has a small piezo sounder.
But then he didn't get to make anything.
 
D

Daniel Pitts

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thanks Phil - a totally different solution i didn't know existed. and a cheap one at that.

I'd have to find a thin magnet so that it didn't interfere with the door opening-closing. something like this might work.
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8644

thanks for all the help everyone!!!
I get my magnets from KJ Magnetics. <http://www.kjmagnetics.com/>
That same magnet is about 1/10th the cost from KJ:
<http://www.kjmagnetics.com/products.asp?cat=11>

Although, I didn't compare shipping rates.
 
D

Daniel Pitts

Jan 1, 1970
0
Much less expensive? I just ordered 3000 hall effect sensors for $1.80.
Tacked it on to another order I was doing. A reed switch might be easier
for a beginner to work with, but the sensor itself isn't a huge cost.
 
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