Controlling a RE.99.R1NC relay

[z3roCoo1]

I have a bunch of these and was wondering if I can use the GPIO to control some of my lab equipment. It's got a handy RJ-45 port for control with 4 pins inside so easy to patch in.

This is the device I'm talking about; http://www.rfi-engineering.com/downloads/RE.99.R1NC.pdf
It's got one of these in it; http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/non-latch ... m=680-3739, that's as far as my googling got me.

Potentially I could have the RE.99.R1NO version. For background, I'm a Cisco engineer and I have a few dozen of these as they were not used on a project. I'd like to put them to good use in our lab here and also at home

I'm willing to post one to any UK address for you to have a play and in return provide some idiot proof instructions!

[davidcoton]

Do you have any further instruction sheets? The only issue seems to be to find the network address, and the commands for switching. That's quite a biggie, though

[z3roCoo1]

This remote power switch is not network aware. They came bundled with some GPRS modems that we use for out of band management. A standard 4 pin modem lead (rj-11) connects the two. Then I guess you're meant to issue a command on the modem CLI so send the right signal which opens or closes the relay.

From the schematics for actual relay on rs I think I remember getting some good info but then looming at the board I can't work out what pin is wired to what.

[davidcoton]

Sorry, I was confused by the diagram showing a connection to a router. But I see on looking again it's an RJ11 cable. What do you want to control it from? It shouldn't be too hard to trace the connections with a multimeter, if it's just wired direct or through some simple transistor driver. Please PM me if you would like me to try (though no guarantee as to how quickly!)

[Burngate]

Assuming the RE.99 contains just a relay, you'll need at least a transistor and diode to switch it from the Pi.
If the relay is indeed that one, it's 12v, so you'll also require a 12v supply as well

It's possible it has its own control circuitry inside, in which case, you may be able to drive it directly from the Pi.

For similar devices, see http://www.powerswitchtail.com/Pages/default.aspx

[m-h]

I have a bunch of these and was wondering if I can use the GPIO to control some of my lab equipment. It's got a handy RJ-45 port for control with 4 pins inside so easy to patch in.

This is the device I'm talking about; http://www.rfi-engineering.com/downloads/RE.99.R1NC.pdf
It's got one of these in it; http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/non-latch ... m=680-3739, that's as far as my googling got me.

Potentially I could have the RE.99.R1NO version. For background, I'm a Cisco engineer and I have a few dozen of these as they were not used on a project. I'd like to put them to good use in our lab here and also at home

I'm willing to post one to any UK address for you to have a play and in return provide some idiot proof instructions!

hi z3roCoo1, I know the out of band modems and powers-switches a bit, and I too was looking to put the extra one I have got to good use. I just opened it, but it has more than the relay. It has its own transformer and small circuitry. And with the coil voltage of 12 volts it likely generates power that does fry your pi.
If we can find the modem circuits, we can see how they interface with the switches.
Perhaps one of the original engineers can help to document the port pinout and values.
BTW the switch port is a rj11 ( not rj45 )

When I have more time, I will use my multimeter to see what it does, and what is needed to interface with it from your pi GPIO ports. quite likely we need to add some circuitry to buffer the pi.

As these boxes are sturdy and well build I can see why you would reuse them. However if you know your electronics, and can create safe circuit setups, you might be able to use cheaper relay boards from Chinese origin . or even use them as buffer.