5. Hardware/Electronics Info
For the purpose of this discussion, let's assume there are only two types of
devices: passive and active. A passive device is something like a Door Magnet.
You pass have to provide the signal which passes through it (low OR high). An
active device is something like a smoke detector or motion sensor. They both
provide signals (through either a signal jacked from a LED or buzzer...). Now,
the provided Phantom.Controller diagram is mainly for use with passive devices.
The outer shield provides a +5V DC signal which is passed through the device
(i.e. a door magnet) and when the device is closed, the +5V returns through the
inner pin, which brings the proper pin on the parallel port high. However,
this won't work with an active device. But don't fret! An active device only
requires one simple modification. In stead of making the outer shield +5V, you
can hook it into ground instead. Then hook the matching ground from the active
device to it. Finally, pump the output from the active device (which ideally
should be between +1V and +5V) into the circuit through the inner pin! And
if you look at the diagram, you can mix and match, so you are not restricted
to 5 passive OR 5 active devices. Enjoy!
The Phantom.Controller itself will cost between $15-$25 if you shop at Radio
Shack (however, if you're an electronics enthusiast, then you probably know
a cheaper place to get parts). Door magnets are only $3-$5 @ (again, at Radio
Shack). Smoke detectors run between $10-$25 @. Motion sensors are all over
the map. However the easiest one is also from Radio Shack, the wireless one
they sell for their X10 kit (However, I don't use it as a wireless). But it's
like $60, so it's pretty expensive. I've also tried to use the $25 Hawkeye II
from X10 (which I got 2 for 1!), but I haven't been able to get a signal from
the LED to bring the pin high, even using transistors. I'm having a friend
look at that one...
In any case, I also have a note on smoke detectors. If you want more than one,
but only have one open space on your Phantom.Controller, then you can buy the
smoke detectors which interconnect to each other, and just run one set of
wires to your Phantom system. In some of these systems you can have up to
10 detectors or more! So you can cover a decent area. The only disadvantage
to doing this is when you're notified, you don't know exactly where the fire
is.