Earlier today I sent zombie a message. The gist of it was:
I am trying to figure out a way to jury rig a power failure monitoring device for an Apex Jr. I'm thinking something along the lines of a reed switch like one of these https://www.amazon.com/Recessed-Norm...ustomerReviews connected to a breakout box, activated by a nearby small electromagnet like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3387AA...ing=UTF8&psc=1 connected to a power supply like this https://www.amazon.com/TRIAD-MAGNETI...ds=wsu120-0700 (the one I got from Neptune for my 2016 controller) plugged into the wall. When the power fails, the electromagnet fails, opening or closing the reed switch circuit. Then I could create an alarm to notify me of the change in status of the breakout box circuit.
(BOB-----Reed switch)(Electromagnet-----Power supply-----Wall outlet)
Do you think something like this would work?
His response was: Unless your Jr is on a UPS, this will serve no purpose. If it is, the much better way is a 12V power supply wired into an undervoltage relay such as a KRPA-5DG12. This is more reliable and doesnt require exposed 120VAC, which can be dangerous if you don't do it properly. Post a new thread if you need more info as there are probably quite a few people that would be interested in this kind of project.
I need more info, zombie, so here goes...
1. I don't know much about relays, so I Googled them. I believe that I learned when a regular relay is powered up it closes the high voltage circuit (HV), and allows the HV to open when power is lost, and an undervoltage relay leaves the HV circuit open when powered up, and closes it when power is lost. It seems to me the only big difference between them would be whether the circuit is normally open or normally closed when powered up. Please correct me if I misunderstood. Why would we choose an undervoltage relay over a standard one? I'm not doubting you, just curious since I'm clueless.
2. What amperage power supply would I need?
3. How do I hook it all up? My Apex Jr. is on a UPS, so would I do this:
1. Clip off the plug tip from the power supply, separate and strip the two wires, attach new wire connectors compatible with the relay prongs to the stripped wires, and connect those wires to the low voltage relay prongs
2. Strip the ends of two fresh wires, attach two more compatible wire connectors, and connect those wires to the low voltage prongs
3. Strip the other ends of the fresh wires and attach them to the breakout box
4. Plug in the power supply??
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