You Got A mail!!! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 10:14:26 am
content: Hello i am always awaiting new packages to arrive and have to go up and down in the stairs in order to check the mailbox.What i need i a simple sensor solution in order to track if there is any mail into the mailbox.Ben did it in one of his videos but i would like something much simpler and wired if possibleLink to Bens video :

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 10:26:19 am
content: Funny enough I looked at this this morning....http://www.eeweb.com/blog/extreme_circuits/you-have-mailMight do for a beginning look, or build it simpler.

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 10:53:16 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on May 16, 2013, 10:26:19 amThank you it looks great but the schematic picture is not that big...

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 11:12:08 am
content: Quote from: ChrisGreece52 on May 16, 2013, 10:53:16 amProbably because you need 10 elektor credits to read ithttp://www.elektor.com/magazines/2004/july/you-have-mail!.57090.lynkxHmm, the forum doesn't like a ! in an url, please copy/paste

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 11:16:35 am
content: Now, how to integrate it with Outlook?

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 11:21:13 am
content: Quote from: HackedFridgeMagnet on May 16, 2013, 11:16:35 amI do not want it to communicate with Otlook i just want it to display a message or just blink an led or just light up an led.I dont want it to be fancy i only need it to be simple and functional.

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 11:24:44 am
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on May 16, 2013, 11:12:08 amProbably yeah so please if you can just copy the full size picture link to post it if you may

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 12:42:45 pm
content: You just need a flip flop, 2 led, a foto diode or a fototransistor and some cables.Just use the flip flop with enable low, use the sensor to set the led hight and a button to set it low with asincronous inputs.

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 01:20:51 pm
content: Have you seen this mailbox notifier. It uses a very inexpensive Arduino compatible uC and wireless transmitter. The video shows a wireless mailbox notifier that sends you a tweet when the mailbox gets opened.

author: ResR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 02:55:15 pm
content: Maybe this is needed?

author: mikes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 04:27:28 pm
content: Get asolar powered one:(solar powered in that it requires light to work)

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 05:52:35 pm
content: Quote from: mikes on May 16, 2013, 04:27:28 pmThat would not work because 1 i cant order from amazon.com (amazon does not ship to my country ) (at least thats what ive been told) and second : my mailbox is not like a regular one (regular in america i mean)it looks something like thishttp://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00JeREMUbsrBqC/Steel-Mailbox.jpg

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 05:54:18 pm
content: Quote from: ddavidebor on May 16, 2013, 12:42:45 pmI have googled flip flops and its very interesting ... ill give it a look

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 05:56:27 pm
content: Quote from: ResR on May 16, 2013, 02:55:15 pmThat looks neat and simple (which is a big deal for me ) but do i have to power it 24/7 or just add something else to make it work when i need it to work ....?

author: mikes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 06:21:13 pm
content: Is your mailbox near your doorbell? Can you just rig a microswitch to ring the doorbell when the slot in the mailbox is opened?

author: ResR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 06:56:12 pm
content: Quote from: ChrisGreece52 on May 16, 2013, 05:56:27 pmNo you don't have to keep it on 24/7, it takes no damage from switched on and off frequently, a simple power cord with a switch to the power supply side is good enough, mate, that way if you turn it off, it has no power consumption (which is as little as 1 watt).

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 10:52:35 pm
content: Quote from: mikes on May 16, 2013, 06:21:13 pmNo the bell is in the top of the staircase and the mailbox at the bottom ... i could run some wires but i would like a cable to go up to my balcon and then into my room so i can get the data into my room.

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 10:54:23 pm
content: Quote from: ResR on May 16, 2013, 06:56:12 pmCan i just provide 12 volt 0.5 amp DC to run the circuit ...Nevermind ill just buy one adapter 230ac to 12 1 amp dc!!!

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 01:15:01 am
content: Just order the missus to check the mail box instead.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 02:27:21 am
content: Get a wireless doorbell (with a different chime to your real doorbell),rig up some type of switch to operate the transmitter end,keep the receiver wherever you like.

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 09:26:49 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on May 17, 2013, 02:27:21 amThats a Great idea i have also thought again the idea about hooking up the circuit to my doorbell but it was too far from it .... and i have no way to get it into my room (no holes for wires to pass through) so my only way is going wireless....

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 09:28:02 am
content: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Wireless-IR-Sensor-Auto-Weclcome-Device-English-/270675171775?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f057f59bfThat is very cheap and i could easily hack it

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 09:31:51 am
content: Quote from: ChrisGreece52 on May 17, 2013, 09:28:02 amQuoteWhat more could you ask for?

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 09:42:52 am
content: Quote from: Harvs on May 17, 2013, 09:31:51 amRight ill seek it a bit more and answer back.

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 09:46:19 am
content: But the IR sensor and the speaker are imbeded into the device.... i need something to work like thisMailbox+Sensor -------------------Wireless Transmiter Wireless Reciever in my room.

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 09:51:48 am
content: http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-Tune-Wireless-Digital-Doorbell-Door-Bell-Chime-Alarm-/390579834465?pt=AU_Home_Personal_Security&hash=item5af05f4e61That Actually seems nice i could tweak the switch to fit and work with the mailbox... but i dont know its range ... ill ask the sellerAlso the batteries are simple to find.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 10:21:20 am
content: How about just sticking a wireless door bell button to the front of the letter box with a little plaque "Attention postperson*: Press to notify of mail delivery".* I'm being politically correct now.

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 10:26:11 am
content: Quote from: GK on May 17, 2013, 10:21:20 amToo much hacking videos sorrySeems pretty good but kids walk a lot in from of the staircase and the mailbox is a few steps higher from the ground so i think that the little bastards will keep pressing the doorbell (at least that is what i would do if i was 5 years younger)

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2013, 03:43:10 pm
content: I contacted the seller and he said that the range of the doorbell is 100 meters that is more than enough for me but there is a problem... i can not find the proper sensor to replace the push button one that the device will already have.I tried to search for a hall effect one but they are pretty expensive (8 dollars a piece) but the A1302 one seems nice and its pretty cheap too (1.40 from taydaelectronics.com)http://www.taydaelectronics.com/a1302-continuous-time-ratiometric-linear-hall-effect-sensor-ic.htmlCheck the schematic a bit and make some suggestions because i dont know how to use it as a switch.Anyway thank you and please help because the sensor is the trickiest part.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2013, 04:12:56 pm
content: One cheap alarm door contact. A reed switch in a nice case, and a matching magnet. Cheap or free, depending if you can get on a building site and look through the scrap and grab one from a renovation, or find them at your local hardware or used building material supplier, or any alarm installer has old ones.

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2013, 05:33:30 pm
content: sorry but this would not do it i need to track if the lead is open or closes or if there is something inside.A reed switch will be a bit tricky to be activated by lightweight folders

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2013, 05:39:15 pm
content: Quote from: ChrisGreece52 on May 19, 2013, 05:33:30 pmWell that was my fault .... you meant something like thathttp://www.taydaelectronics.com/fr2s1020-reed-switch-1-5a-10-20-a-t-spst-no-200-vdc-vac-fr2s1020-0520.htmlI understood something like this