Controlling mains-powered devices safely and easily allows all sorts of possibilities with regards to home automation, remote device control – and just having fun. One method of doing this is to harness wireless remote-control mains outlets which can be found at almost any hardware or electronics store.
From this point most users have wired the buttons from the included remote control to Arduino digital outputs via optocouplers, allowing control of the outlets. However, Instructables member liwenyip shows us how the rcswitch library for Arduino can be used to directly control the wireless receiver via inexpensive 433 MHz modules.
This makes things a lot easier, and removes the need to carefully hack into the small and delicate remote controls usually associated with these projects. This system in action can be seen int the following video:
An important note:
This guide was written for Australia, where it’s legal to operate low powered devices (25mW) in the 433MHz band without a licence. Check what’s legal in your own country. If you’re transmitting to (or on the same frequency as) a garage door opener / RC toy etc that you bought in your own country, it should be fine, provided you stick to the power limit.
You will need the following stuffs:
- Arduino – An Arduino Uno Rev3.
- 433.92Mhz RF Transmitter and Receiver Pair – one can get from eBay for the ridiculously cheap price of $1.45:
Transmitter Model No: MX-FS-03V (marked XD-FST)
Receiver Model No: MX-05V (marked XD-RF-5V) - Breadboard and jumpers – also available from eBay or Jaycar.
- rc-switch
- A remote-controlled garage door, and/or:
- Some remote controlled mains switches. Mine are “PowerTran” model A0342.
- A basic knowledge of Arduino and C++
See some project photo below that will inspire you for sure.
To learn how to do this yourself, visit the project’s Instructable page.
