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How to monitor a washer's cycle and X-10 |
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Written by Morgan
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Monday, 05 January 2004 20:52 |
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Using a current sensor for monitoring a Washer's full cycle can be difficult because of the various currents the washer draws during its fill, wash, drain, & spin cycles. These currents can range from 0.1 amps to over six amps (see previous Appliance Monitor How-To). Thus using a conventional current sensor will require some additional scripting (as well as possibly creating an initialization trigger event).
This method of monitoring a washer uses a magnetic contact sensor (the same one used to monitor windows and doors for security alarm systems).
The magnetic contact used was purchased here (model 7359, Short Round Magnetic Contacts):
http://www.smarthome.com/7358.HTML
I taped the two parts of this sensor to the dial of the washer as shown in the photo below. Whenever the washer was done with its cycle, the contacts (two wire leads) would close. These wires could then be attached to an X-10 power-flash unit, or monitored by a modified parallel port or SECU16I Digital Input for the Applied Digital Ocelot.
Of course a more elegant mounting system could be used (possibly glue the sensors to the dial) than my yellow tape method, but use the tape to first "dial in" the range and stop point of the washer's knob indicatior. I used a Fluke multimeter to see when the contacts would close as I dialed in the magnetic contacts position on the washer knob.
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Last Updated on Monday, 06 April 2009 21:05 |
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