Remote Control of A/C via Arduino

[Brent London]

Hi NYCRers,

Like most people I know in Manhattan, I switch off my A/C whenever I leave the apartment. While this is beneficial when it comes time to pay my conEd bill, it means that I walk into an 80-degree apartment during the summer. I'd really like to use an internet-connected Arduino to control my A/C from my phone so that I can switch it on 10-15 minutes before I get home. 

In short, I want to be able to have a web-controlled outlet into which I plug the A/C. Conceptually, this doesn't seem like it would be too difficult. In my head, I think I'd need the Arduino to connect to a "switch" of sorts that can handle high wattage of an HVAC unit and safely/reliably turn it off and on. 

Does anyone know of such a device? 

Brent

[Will Brown]

I think you're probably looking for something like this:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9842

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[al...@litstudios.com]

Relays handle the power switching, the arduino could handle the web interface. The io-bridge is a  different kind of micro controller that is designed to work with the iobridge web interface right out the box. There was also a recent off the shelf product on gizmodo but I have no details on that.

I wonder about something though...  Most a/c's requires some user control after receiving power from cold start. Make sure your a/c can stay in an on position. Otherwise your alternative is to control it's remote control receiver (if it has one) just like the remote that may have come with it.

If you didn't need web control, those cheap ac outlet timers would turn it off and on based on daily schedule.

Alpay Kasal
Artist/Engineer
http://blog.LitStudios.com

[Brent London]

It's one of those hotel-like through-the-wall units where it can always stay in the "on" position. It plugs into a standard 240v wall outlet.

[pablo echegorri]

this sounds like a good idea for a new project thanks

---

From: will.h...@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:16:10 -0400
Subject: Re: [NYCR:Microcontrollers] Remote Control of A/C via Arduino
To: nycresistormi...@googlegroups.com

[Mike Shapiro]

http://lifehacker.com/5604571/automate-and-control-your-air-conditioner-with-your-home-network?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+lifehacker/full+(Lifehacker)
Mike Shapiro
LinearNe...@gmail.com

[al...@litstudios.com]

Niccce! I want to get in on some of that.

[Mike Shapiro]

Glad that i could help

[Stewart Newfeld]

Hi,

 

I use power strips like those sold at http://www.digital-loggers.com/lpc.html  starting at $109.00 to power cycle fileservers and other computer items remotely.  These have built-in web servers, surge protection and individual control of multiple outlets.  The problem with most modern air-conditioners, is they no longer have mechanical on/off switches that you can leave in the on position.  Usually you need to use the hand-held remote control or a touch panel control after you have AC Power to start the Air Conditioner.

 

 

Stewart Newfeld

Zebra Systems, Inc.

Computer Network & Website Support

131 Joralemon Street, Apt. 52

Brooklyn, NY 11201

www.zebrasystems.com

212.675.8414

 

From: nycresistormi...@googlegroups.com [mailto:nycresistormi...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Brent London
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2010 7:33 PM
To: nycresistormi...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [NYCR:Microcontrollers] Remote Control of A/C via Arduino

 

Hi NYCRers,

--

[Kleeb]

Hi Brent,

I actually had someone approach me with a similar project idea
yesterday involving X10 transceivers. The idea is to use an xport
shield connected to an Arduino and be able to remote control the board
via the web. I don't really have any experience with PHP or
webhosting, but it sounds like it should be fairly simply to set
something up like this. In any case, the X10's are pretty much
designed for RF control of AC outlets - you might want to look into
that.

On Aug 15, 10:36 pm, "Stewart Newfeld" <snewf...@zebrasystems.com>
wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I use power strips like those sold athttp://www.digital-loggers.com/lpc.html starting at $109.00 to power cycle

[Project Arc]

Hey guys,

Having looked at the power stats on some of the equipment that was
recommended, I noticed that much of the hardware is capped at 10A at
120AC. Most A/C units, motors and the like require much higher in-
rush currents rating in order to switch. High amp solid state relays/
switches have a hard time doing this without heating up, or not
working at all. I have been down this road with building a relay for
a cnc router spindle that we could control using the NC code.

Anyway, what we found to be successful is a two relay system. A solid
state like this one:

http://www.virtualvillage.com/40a-ssr-solid-state-relay-for-ac-devices-003602-009.html?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shcomp

Along with a mechanical relay rated a 1.5 horse:

Part # 7384K11 http://www.mcmaster.com/#relays/=8ffcuh

In this setup, a low voltage signal switches a line voltage circuit
that then trips the 1.5 horse relay.

Maybe the SSR above will handle the in rush current for the A/C unit
since it is rated for 40amps.... that would be cool. I would double
check the current rating for the A/C unit and go from there.

Erik

[Tymm Twillman]

if you don't already have the air conditioner picked out, there are some that have IR remote controls (I have one), which could eliminate some problems.

[Alexis Goldstein]

This would be a great NYC Resistor class.

I have asked myself this exact question (how to remotely control my ac
via my phone/arduino), and I bet tons of other people have as well.

Sent from my iPhone

>> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nycresistormicrocontrollers?hl=en
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[Mark Kizelshteyn]

Ditto. Anybody want to volunteer to lead a class on this :) ? 

I use power strips like those sold athttp://www.digital-loggers.com/lpc.html starting at $109.00 to power cycle
fileservers and other computer items remotely.  These have built-in web

--
mark.kizelshteyn.com
m. (917) 251-8829

[Ben Combee]

On Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 3:04 PM, Mark Kizelshteyn
<mark.kiz...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ditto. Anybody want to volunteer to lead a class on this :) ?

We'd be glad to host this. I've done my Webduino class before and can
offer it again, but it doesn't cover device control. Plus, I feel
this might be better with Xbee because it's cheaper and wireless.

[Brent London]

That'd be fantastic if NYCR hosted a class. It'd be great to work with others on the device.

[revel woodard]

I agree. I have a handle on high voltage automation, I even have some
40A @ 230V SSR's. I've also controlled devices like this by hacking
the IR remote. In both cases I've used a basic stamp to control either
the SSR or reed switched for the IR. So the web interface / arduino
side is beyond me. I giess what im saying is that i could help eith
the hard electrical / electronic side of the project, although I guess
that's the easy part. I'm actually signed up for that free arduino
class in late august: from @oreillymedia and @creativeLIVE starting
Aug 31 - http://bit.ly/learnarduino

On Aug 17, 6:03 pm, Brent London <brent.m.lon...@gmail.com> wrote:
> That'd be fantastic if NYCR hosted a class. It'd be great to work with
> others on the device.
>
>
>
> On Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 5:32 PM, Ben Combee <ben.com...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 3:04 PM, Mark Kizelshteyn
> > <mark.kizelsht...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Ditto. Anybody want to volunteer to lead a class on this :) ?
>
> > We'd be glad to host this.  I've done my Webduino class before and can
> > offer it again, but it doesn't cover device control.  Plus, I feel
> > this might be better with Xbee because it's cheaper and wireless.
>
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "NYCResistor:Microcontrollers" group.
> > To post to this group, send email to
> > nycresistormi...@googlegroups.com.
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> > .

[Mauricio Alarcon]

If I was doing it, I would use X10. There are inexpensive ENCLOSED, UL approved, high amperage appliance modules, so you won't be creating a fire hazard. There's also a basic transceiver that can be hooked up to arduino and power line for the whole communications thing. The web part can be easily implemented using an ethernet shield.

I did an energy saving project for my hot water boiler using x10 & arduino, its a safe and effective combination.


> Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:11:44 -0700
> Subject: [NYCR:Microcontrollers] Re: Remote Control of A/C via Arduino
> From: revel...@gmail.com
> To: nycresistormi...@googlegroups.com

> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to nycresistormicrocon...@googlegroups.com.

[Mauricio Alarcon]

With X10 I would replace the outlet with a 20amp X10 controllable:

http://www.thex10shop.com/product/x10-x-10-pro-xpr-w-20-amp-wall-receptacle-outlet-module ($11.99)

to arduino, just hookup this interface controller:

http://www.thex10shop.com/product/x10-x-10-pro-psc04-powerline-interface-pl513 ($6.99)

it is compatible with the arduino X10 library (http://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/X10)

The most expensive component is your ethernet shield $45.95 @ sparkfun (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9026)

I think that after somet ime you'll be annoyed about having to dial in to turn on your AC. You could hookup a real time clock and do time based on/off cycles with the web override. Is it one of those old A/C units that don't have a digital temperature sensor? In combination with the scheduling a "setback" a/c controller can be easily implemented.....

---

From: rma...@msn.com
To: nycresistormi...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [NYCR:Microcontrollers] Re: Remote Control of A/C via Arduino
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:18:32 -0400

[Ronald C. Barnes]

I've actually started on such a project. I am simply going to tack
solder across the pushbuttons, the LED indicators and the relay
voltage for the fan & compressor, and operate it like a human. The
LED and relay inputs will be indicators of what mode it's in and if
it's indeed running.

I started writing it up here...
http://www.ka1kjz.com/948/lg-air-conditioner-teardown/ its a LG
something or other, found at Home Depot.

Now the question you may be asking... how do I know what temperature
has been programmed? You don't. To have the arduino set a
particular temp, just "hit" the "down" button a bunch of times till
it bottoms out at 60, then "hit" the "up" button once for every
degree of your desired set point. Same goes for the timer, the
"timer" LED will turn off when its set to "0". This avoided trying
to read the LED display.

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[Andy Rosenblum]

I too have asked this when it's nasty hot, "Why can't I turn my ac on before I get home."

- Andy

>>>>> I use power strips like those sold athttp://www.digital-loggers.com/lpc.html starting at $109.00 to power cycle
>>>>> fileservers and other computer items remotely. These have built-in web