Re: switching on appliance via mobile

[Dave McLaughlin <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Campbell,

I have this kind of thing at home linked via a GSM modem on the PC and a
plugin for Homeseer.

For standalone, you will need some kind of microcontroller connected to
a GSM phone or modem. (GSM modems are fairly cheap these days)
You would then use SMS to switch a relay or relays on or off, or send a
serial command. Unlimited to what you can do.

There are commercial devices out there to do this but they are not cheap
as they have the GSM modem and micro etc fully embedded.

Try here.

http://www.rfsolutions.co.uk/acatalog/GSM_Telemetry.html
This is not bad for £227 for 2 digital inputs and 2 relay outputs. May
be just what you want for an off the shelf solution. Of course, the
relay output is not suitable for switching a heater so an external
circuit is required.
They also do the Host Board option that takes a GSM modem via RS232 so
you could in theory use a mobile phone to control it too.

Regards
Dave...

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Campbell Macdonald wrote:

> One of my friends has asked about the easiest method of switching on
an
> appliance (heater) using a mobile, at a flat he has. The flat does not
> have a telephone line, gut if there is a way....he could use a spare
pay
> as you go mobile.
>
> Can anyone suggest the easiest/cheapest way to do this, if it is
> possible?
>
> many thanks
>
> Campbell