> Hi all,
>
> I'm thinking about throwing together a quick monitor for my block
> heater. I'd like to know when I forget to plug the car in (because
> let's be honest, it's going to happen...). I've got a small current
> transformer on the way (5A/5mA). I'd like to trigger a relay that
> lights up a 120V indicator light when the block heater is plugged in
> and powered.
>
> My "current" thought is to run the transformer to an ADC on a micro
> and use it to trigger a relay. Am I missing an easier solution? Could
> I run the output of the current transformer to an opto that triggers
> the relay? I would lose the "tweakability" of levels though.
>
> Open to suggestions!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Josh
> --
> A common mistake that people make when trying to design something
> completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete
> fools.
>         -Douglas Adams
> --
> http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
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>

>Hi all,
>
>I'm thinking about throwing together a quick monitor for my block
>heater. I'd like to know when I forget to plug the car in (because
>let's be honest, it's going to happen...). I've got a small current
>transformer on the way (5A/5mA). I'd like to trigger a relay that
>lights up a 120V indicator light when the block heater is plugged in
>and powered.
>
>My "current" thought is to run the transformer to an ADC on a micro
>and use it to trigger a relay. Am I missing an easier solution? Could
>I run the output of the current transformer to an opto that triggers
>the relay? I would lose the "tweakability" of levels though.
>
>Open to suggestions!
>
>Thanks,
>
>Josh

> Sounds good.
>
> For one-offs, my habit is to optimise my time rather than components.
>
> I'd steal power from the heater supply, wired to a 5V SMPS if stolen
> at AC line voltage, or some other converter if stolen from a low
> voltage, and run an esp8266 or esp32 module with an optional ds18b20.
>
> On my main server I'd script something that would ping the node at 8pm
> and report if it was missing.  Or it could be an esp8266 at bedside.
>
> Another way is to store the block heater power supply next to your
> bed.  Repeated inconvenience of forgetting gradually reinforces
> remembering.
>
> --
>
> Amazing the problems you wintering folks have to put up with!  Our
> first for the season extreme heatwave forecast this weekend,
>
> http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/heatwave/
>
> ... where "extreme" means failure of infrastructure; liquid roads,
> flat tyres, engines overheating, transmission line protection trips,
> babies kept indoors, dead pets, rains of dead birds,
>
> ... it is time to put the candles and medications in the fridge, not
> leave the butter out, and watch the kangaroos shelter under trees.
>
> ... still pondering best way to put aluminium foil on windows.
>
> --
> James Cameron
> http://quozl.netrek.org/
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> http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
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>