Remote Control via Phone or RF
Remote Control via Phone or RF
(OP)
I have a project where we have been requested to investigate remote lighting control. This is to switch some outdoor lighting located roughly 400 feet away and across a river from the building where central control will be located. Design criteria include:
* Centralized control from the building is required.
* We cannot cross the river directly with a cable or fiber.
* The remote controls need to be weatherproof; a heated weatherproof enclosure could be easily provided but we'd like to avoid air conditioning. Ambient temps up to 105F.
* Minimum control requirement is one discrete on/off signalto be transmitted from the building.
* A desireable option, but not required, would be the ability to monitor up to perhaps 4 remote alarms for annunciation at the building.
Two solutions have been proposed:
1. RF. We've generally been steering away from RF due to concerns over reliability and possible interference.
2. Telephone & modem system. Conceptually this seems to be the best solution. However, discussions with several vendors have not been very productive.
Any thoughts? Vendor recommendations? Unexplored solutions? Have we sold RF short?
Thanks in advance.
* Centralized control from the building is required.
* We cannot cross the river directly with a cable or fiber.
* The remote controls need to be weatherproof; a heated weatherproof enclosure could be easily provided but we'd like to avoid air conditioning. Ambient temps up to 105F.
* Minimum control requirement is one discrete on/off signalto be transmitted from the building.
* A desireable option, but not required, would be the ability to monitor up to perhaps 4 remote alarms for annunciation at the building.
Two solutions have been proposed:
1. RF. We've generally been steering away from RF due to concerns over reliability and possible interference.
2. Telephone & modem system. Conceptually this seems to be the best solution. However, discussions with several vendors have not been very productive.
Any thoughts? Vendor recommendations? Unexplored solutions? Have we sold RF short?
Thanks in advance.





RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
If the phone line is a dry pair, then http://www.solidstateinstruments.com/products.htm "tone products" may do the job.
With all the rage for wireless-network stuff, 2.4GHz gear with directional antennas as part of a PC network, incorporating industrial-control I/O components like Opto-22 stuff could be another approach.
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
RF over short distances can be very reliable. What are your cost constrasints? perhaps a small PLC (AB Micrologix?) and an unlicensed spread spectrum radio (MDS9810?) would work. If you want more details give me an e-mail.
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
I don't have a good feel for costs yet, I'm guessing our solution should be in the $1k to $10k range.
So far I've been calling mostly lighting control vendors. I'm starting to think industrial control vendors (PLC's) or building management system vendors are where I should be looking.
Any further details you have to offer would be appreciated. Email is fine, but I like the idea of using this site. If you are a vendor and would like to discuss specifics, please post your contact information.
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
This unit is capable of one control output and maybe 4 alarm inputs at the location of the remote lighting.
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
Good Luck!
John Salls
Applied Vision Systems, Inc.
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
For phone control. I found these to be reliable as well.
http://www.sensaphone.com/pages/comparison.html
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
We make radio RTU packages for the water and wastewater industry. Generally speaking a properly setup system will work for 10 years or more. Typical outages occur during thunderstorms. You should be able to get a complete package for under $5K. If you need more info, give me an e-mail.
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
RE: Remote Control via Phone or RF
As simple as this thing sounds in concept, it's amazing what a headache it's been researching the options. Thanks again to everyone for your input.