Re: Proposal for iPaq Touchscreen systems (in place of CBUS Switches)

["Andy Laurence" <andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From: "Gareth Cook" <g@xxxxxxx>
> 1. Looking at the iPaq website, one of the units states it needs 5V @
2A.
> This is achievable, and eBuyer do a generic PoE adaptor which will
deliver
> 5V @ 2.5A. We can remove the inbuilt lithium battery as if the iPaq
needs
> a kick, we can do it from Node0. You don't want to have to keep
pulling it
> out of the wall !

Not sure I fancy sending 2A over CAT5, but the IPAQ will use virtually none
of that anyway.  I'd be amazed if it ever required more than 500mA.

> 2. Network you think would be easy - but this will require a CF card
to
> RJ45 - will have to get a unit to look at the space needed for this in
the
> wall.

If you're running cable toit, why not use the serial/USB interface?  Saves
buying a network card, and saves on space too - solder the connections
directly to the PCB.

> If an iPaq were to be used, then this will require a fairly deep hole
in
> the wall - but at least it may be possible to dig out a British double
> gang standard hole which could be then retrofitted back to a British
light
> switch of sorts (as opposed to a J box that CBUS requires).

Sounds good.  Have you measured an IPAQ and a double gang hole?

> 3. An alternative network source is of course a built in wifi or CF
wifi
> card - but hey if a cable is there, I'd prefer it.

Agreed.

> Another idea struck me - but the electrical bods out there may have to
> confirm this - we have a standard light switch there already
delivering
> power to the light (and the light is going to be changed to a star
wire,
> hence rendering the power to the light switch out of commission)
>
> 4. Use the lighting ring to power the ipaq - the iPaq needs 12V @2A -
can
> we mount the PSU for the iPaq in the wall and connect to the light
ring to
> be powered ? May need some hacking to the PSU module itself.

Sounds more than feasible.  Of course, the usual caveats of mains
electricity apply - don't electrocute yourself!

> 5. With the method in point 4, we would need to use a WiFi card - but
that
> means NO retrofitting of CAT5 for CBUS. I like this method :-)

I like that method too!  Of course, you still have to change the wiring
from
standard to get the dimming module going.

> Comments appreciated - have I had a mad moment or is this workable ?

I'd say that's more than workable!  It's also something that software like
Xlobby would cope ith well - build a landscape skin!

Cheers,
Andy
--
http://www.andylaurence.co.uk