How many of the 3051 dual relay boards can be used with the 1018 interface board? How many relays can be ON at a time?

thanks,

baub

Each relay consumes approximately 70mA to keep the coils energized, so 6 relays can be on at once.

I'm using the 1018 at the end of a USB extender and 80 feet of Ethernet cable. I can only have two relays on at a time, if I turn on a third then any relays that are on switch off. I figure I have too much power loss and so not enough for more than 2 relays. Would a 1019 solve my problem as it has external power?

thanks,

baub

The 1019 will help in with the power loss. (Or even the 1072 and not have to deal with USB extenders!)

You can also simply try using a powered USB hub at the end of the extender and connect the 1018 into that.

Am I understanding that the relays are connected to the 1018 through the 80 feet of Ethernet? If this is the case, consider using thicker wires since the power loss will be less (applicable with both the 1018 and 1019).

No the 1018 has the relays connected to it using the standard supplied cable. The 1018 & relays are in my garage and I have an 80 foot ethernet cable run from the house to the garage to connect the extenders. I have the 1018 plugged into the USB extender at the end of the ethernet run in the garage.

I tried the 1072 and it caused problems in my system.

I'll give the powered USB hub a go.

thanks,

baub

How about the USB port on a wireless router? Woudl that work?

thanks,

baub

I don't think that the Phidgets will be recognized or appear on your network if they are plugged into wireless routers. Usually those USB ports are for connecting computers with no Ethernet cards, or for setting up networks with the settings on thumb drives. I haven't tried though.

USB specs are usually set at a maximum length of 1.5m for USB cable. Can you try having the 1018 close to the computer and then running thicker cables to the relays in your garage? I assume that the three relays work fine if the 1018 isn't connected with such a long cable?

What sort of problems where you having with the 1072? This would be the ideal solution, since you already have one (and wouldn't have to get a 1019).

Using the web service caused my automation program (Indigo) to crash. I ended up returning the 1072.

What do you mean "run thicker cables to the relays"? Do you mean remotely locate the dual relay boards?

baub

The thinner and longer the cables, the more power loss. Especially since the current draw is coming from the USB cable (which is typically 24-28AWG).

Since USB specification only specifies that USB devices must work with a 60" long cable, 80' of cable in addition to drawing high current really drops the power.

So thicker wires (AWG of 20 to 22) would drop less power.

Also, solid core Ethernet cable would be superior than stranded cable.