Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2016 19:52:25 GMT
I have two video cameras for detecting meteors, each sending it's signal into a separate PC via a USB video grabber. Each PC runs a copy of the brilliant but completely inappropriately-named 'UFO Capture' software. The UFO Capture software automatically calculates local sunrise and sunset and you can configure the software start up and shut down at user-set intervals before and after subset/sunrise. The power supply to each camera is via a 12v transformer plugged into a simple plug-in timer. Every month I have to remember to re-programme these timers. The LCD screens on these timers is very difficult to read and on several occasions I have programmed them incorrectly. What would be neat would be a small piece of software running on the PC that operates a relay that automatically turned the cameras on and off at user-set intervals before and after subset/sunrise, with the software automatically calculating local sunset/sunrise times. There are loads of cheap USB powered 12v relays available on EBay (such as www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5V-USB-Relay-1-Channel-Programmable-Computer-Control-For-Smart-Home-CF-/272041590503 ), but I can't find any software to make it work as a sunset/sunrise timer. My programming skills are non-existent. I know it's a long shot, but are there any programmers out there who could write a simple programme to do this?
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Post by davy on Jan 31, 2016 20:09:58 GMT
Hi micheal..could a 240v electrical timer for say turning on a light at a certain time be linked in to the circuit or put an dusk to dawn sensor in place of a on/off switch..hard wired,,,instead of electronicaly controlled software
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2016 20:29:56 GMT
Hi micheal..could a 240v electrical timer for say turning on a light at a certain time be linked in to the circuit or put an dusk to dawn sensor in place of a on/off switch..hard wired,,,instead of electronicaly controlled software I already use 230V electrical timers and it's altering the timing on these that is the pain. Light sensors are going to be highly problematic because siting them would be difficult. As far as I can work it out, software control from the same PC which runs the capture software should be by far the most elegant solution. Both my cameras catch the Sun, so I really want to make sure that the camera's sensor is powered down and the auto iris on the lens is closed when the Sun is in the field of view.
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Post by davy on Jan 31, 2016 20:38:26 GMT
Could any of the software for say running obs roof be altered..ldb on here has one of the best automated astronomy obs ive came across or possibly rick,think he is into computers
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Post by howie1 on Jan 31, 2016 23:00:54 GMT
Maybe you just need a better timer? Found this one at Jaycar (link below) which allows 16 combinations of days or block of days ... only 12 months in the year so 16 block of days will cover that. cheers
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Post by howie1 on Jan 31, 2016 23:01:19 GMT
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Post by Rick in NWArk on Feb 1, 2016 3:51:56 GMT
The relays would have to have what's called an API which defines for the programmer what commands need to be sent to perform functions for the device.
Definitely possible if the devices support external control.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2016 0:42:42 GMT
I know this is an old post, but if your still looking you need a simple PLC logic programmer. Can be bought for less than 100$ and programmed anyway you want. All have built in timers and logic you need for doing this.
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robrj
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home town/country: Escondido, CA
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Post by robrj on Jul 27, 2016 19:12:12 GMT
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