Need Help. Need an WaterProof wireless remote for use in a swimming pool - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: badSCR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 04:44:53 am
content: I need a WaterProof wireless (RF) remote. it will be used as a panic button for an alarm system.If the button is pressed the system will call "911". so there has to be a zero false alarm rate.*It needs to be waterproof to at-less 12 feet,*As small as posible*70feet range min.I have a budget of about $400, for a Recever and one+ remotesNeed to find a place and price ASAPAny ideascould you point me in the right direction.Thanks,

author: badSCR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 04:47:13 am
content: Nothing like a zip-lock-bagNeeds to be professional looking

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 05:17:15 am
content: You need to build the transmitter into something like this ....http://www.pelican-case.com/1010-yellow.html

author: badSCR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 05:26:06 am
content: Where can i find a IP68 rated round momentary button?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 08:35:39 am
content: Quote from: badSCR on November 25, 2010, 05:26:06 amdigikey search is your friendhttp://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=708-1303-NDhttp://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=708-1304-NDhttp://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=708-1305-ND

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2010, 11:28:21 am
content: Consideration needs to be given to the frequency used for the RF Link. A transmitter submerged to upto 12 feet may operate but whether the RF will pass through the water efficiently enough to work will be another matter. Maritime emergency 'man-over-board' type alarm systems could be considered. Unfortunately most are auto activating so some modification may be required. Some of these devices communicate the alarm state through the water using an ultrasonic beacon that is detected by electronics on the boat hull. You could have a small alarm unit 'talking' to a fixed receiver unit on the pool side that then communicates with the 911 alarm system.A key issue here will be your liability if the unit fails to function. Any safety system that involves saving life should be proven effective before life is put at risk. If this is for yourself then you probably have the right to risk your own life, but if it is for a customer or other person, you could be getting into seriously scary legal waters (forgive the pun).I would recommend that you discuss your requirement with one of the maritime 'man-over-board' alerting system manufacturers as those units will have an approval associated with them and are designed to work whilst submerged in rough seas.http://www.seamarshall.com/You could also google 'pool alarm' as it is likely that the problem has already been identified and resolved for you. Take a look here:http://www.mdh-uk.co.uk/id35.html

author: badSCR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2010, 05:55:31 am
content: Thank you, this helps alot.http://www.mdh-uk.co.uk/id35.htmlcan't find much on specs, but i will e-mail them; Will let you know.http://www.seamarshall.com/I have spent hours and hours googleing with nothing remotely close to what I need. the best I could find was only good for 3feet of water (IP67).It is for a customer.I was just going to CNC a aluminum housing. Buy a wireless panic keyFob. Use a digikey IP68 button. move/change the battery holder.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 28, 2010, 07:43:34 pm
content: Quote from: badSCR on November 25, 2010, 04:47:13 amoh no you need to speak to Hero999 about absolute water proffing of electrical devices, his method is highly effective and about as hilarious as socially "novel"

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2010, 09:11:02 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on November 28, 2010, 07:43:34 pmYes to protect my mobile phone during a raft race, I put it inside a condom and tied the end up, much to the amusement of others.It's always a good idea to carry condoms around because they have a variety of uses other than what they're designed for.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 28, 2010, 09:15:52 pm
content: I won't repeat the comments about how useful you found condoms hehehehe. that was funny and functional.

author: badSCR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2010, 11:20:59 pm
content: http://www.mdh-uk.co.uk/id35.htmlIs not FCC approved in the USA and has a price of $1200legally there is no law saying that something has to be UL approved.life alert legal disclaimer says they are not liable for anything.condomsMaybe.

author: badSCR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2010, 11:46:43 pm
content: Will for now I am thinking (one: the home owner has to sign some paper work)but am still looking.Take: 1.5"dia solid round 6061 Aluminum.CNC the Aluminum where there is threads at one end for the IP69 Button, and biger threads at the other end. CNC a Aluminum end cap for the bigger end. (min 1/16" walls)buy a Wireless keyFob and take it apart remove there buttons and battery holder.buy a coin battery holder.Teflon the IP68 button into the Aluminum houseing.Solder wires from the IP68 button to the Wireless keyFob.Solder wires from Wireless keyFob to the new coin battery holder.Place the Wireless keyFob PCB into acondom, tie and trim accordingly.Cram Wireless keyFob PCB into the housing as far as it will go and add a tack of hot-glue to hold, leaving the battery holder hanging out.Mealt paraffin wax and pour into the houseing covering the keyFob PCB.When the paraffin wax is cooled and hard, Fill with about 1/16" to 1/8" of epoxy.cram the battery holder into houseing and epoxy in place (where battery can be changed).Use o-rings on the Aluminum houseing End cap.The Aluminum may act like a faraday cage? so maybe inplace of Aluminum use HDPE plastic or somthing.

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2010, 05:03:18 pm
content: Swimming pool water will corrode aluminum. Anodizing will slow it down, but it will eventually eat through.I'd forget about wax and epoxy (is paraffin conductive?). Google "potting compound"

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 30, 2010, 05:57:46 pm
content: hm Hero your method is now history

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2010, 08:16:05 pm
content: Does RF travel in water? IR may be a simple alternative.http://www.qsl.net/vk5br/UwaterComms.htm

author: badSCR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2010, 12:04:28 am
content: Quote from: JohnS_AZ on November 30, 2010, 05:03:18 pmPlastic seems better; light, and want corrode.paraffin wax and petroleum jelly are not conductive, from what I can tell. I would use "potting compound"."potting compound", So that is what that stuff is called. Awesome!

author: badSCR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2010, 12:08:06 am
content: I just don't trust IRRF works but it cuts the range down.I have a ton of e-mails out; sofar everythig is eather not FCC aprov. or only rated to 3feet.

author: RayJones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2010, 02:07:53 am
content: The old Omega naviagtion system worked for submerged submarines (the intended recipients), but it was one hell of a long wavelength (10kHz) !Your typical VHF/UHF fob's signal would be punished hard when required to pass through water.