New Project - Status Indicator w/Dead-Man Switch - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: BigKahunaFL
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 11, 2023, 11:27:18 am
content: I want to create a device, but I personally have "next-to-ZERO" knowledge of Electrical Design or Engineering. I CAN read and draw schematics (from a drafting past-life). I was hoping that someone here could help me out with the engineering portion of this project. It seems to be a rather simple circuit, but again, it's beyond me!Here is a list of basic requirements for this device…1. Create a status indicator light, visible from about 100'.1.1. Green (nominal operation state) if active (steady glow)1.2. Red (problem state) if the timer hasn't been reset (flashing?)1.3. Yellow (inactive/stand-by state); NOT OFF.1.3.1. Tri-color LED or 3 individual LED1.3.2. Brightness control (?)2. Dead-Man / Reset that resets a timer.2.1. The timer could/should be adjustable2.2. Reset every 8-12 (?) hours.3. Remote/wireless pushbutton (?) for easy access.4. On/Off switch?5. AC powered with a battery backup.6. Include an audible alarm (possibly including a wireless remote alarm).6.1. Volume control?Is anyone out there bored and would like to take a crack at this? ALL help and suggestions are GREATLY APPRECIATED and welcomed!

author: barshatriplee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2023, 02:03:58 pm
content: You can implement your project with an Arduino. You will also need 3 indicator lamps. Since you need something visible from 100 feet, I do not think LEDs will work. You will need the same type of light that is used in cellular towers. Those are not directly connectable to microcontrollers. You may need to use a relay or TRIAC in between. Brightness control can be done with PWM. For the timer part, you can configure the microcontroller's timer or use an RTC module. For remote control, you can add IR/RF transmitter-receiver . pair. That is up to your requirement. Other components like the ON-OFF switch,buzzer etc. can be easily connected to the system. Please note that you cannot power an Arduino with AC power directly. You will have to you a Wall Adapter.

author: nachus001
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2023, 02:34:17 pm
content: HeyFor what purpose is this project?regardsNachus

author: Eraldo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2023, 08:35:36 pm
content: Instead of an arduino you could also try using an Esp32 which has built in wifi and you could use something like Blynk to configure and control the device from your phone (the device, in this case esp32, would need to be close to a wifi point). It also has bluetooth if it is easier for you. Or even an ir would be fine if not for the limited range.As for the power just use an external charging brick from a laptop or another device with the required voltage for the light.But I'm not really sure what the overall project is supposed to do. Is it just a light indicator with sound or something else

author: BigKahunaFL
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 14, 2023, 04:04:32 pm
content: Simply put, this device will indicate, via lamps and/or alarm, if the reset button has NOT been pressed within the required time limit; essentially a "Dead-Man" switch. If someone does NOT press the button, that would indicate a problem of some sort, whether the person fell asleep, got kidnapped, or is in some way incapacitated and CANNOT press the button. The other lamps and indicators are to alert the "button-pusher" that his/her time is nearing zero hour. Any more information than that and NDA's and/or Confidentiality Agreements will be required.Can anyone point me toward a decent, low-cost circuit design simulation program/software that I could use to help me design this thing?Other than Eraldo and barshatriplee (thanks!), I'm beginning to get the feeling that I'm not going to receive much help from here…