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  3. Safe In-Wall AC to DC Transformers??

Safe In-Wall AC to DC Transformers??

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  • DrJeffD DrJeff

    I'm seriously thinking it skipping all of these and build a transformerless circuit directly to the board like a true in wall switch, Pete do you want to share this project. I've been playing with this for a little while but haven't had time to put it all together. I can point you to all the places but a board will need to be designed for the switch, that's almost where I'm at! 😀

    petewillP Offline
    petewillP Offline
    petewill
    Admin
    wrote on last edited by
    #37

    @DrJeff said:

    I'm seriously thinking it skipping all of these and build a transformerless circuit directly to the board like a true in wall switch, Pete do you want to share this project. I've been playing with this for a little while but haven't had time to put it all together. I can point you to all the places but a board will need to be designed for the switch, that's almost where I'm at! 😀

    That sounds great! I just don't know if I have the experience to do all that. I'm fine with soldering and following wiring diagrams but that's pretty much the limit to my knowledge. I have a couple other projects on the list before this one but I would be happy to help in any way I can. Also, how easy would it be for other people to replicate the finished product? I think it would be really cool if it could be easy enough for people to build themselves.

    My "How To" home automation video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_Evyh5PQALx4m4CQuxqkA

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

      @tbowmo @petewill @didi @ServiceXp I think I found the perfect one!!!!
      http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2155823_-1
      http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/260/GS05U-USB-spec-33533.pdf

      it is made by meanwell, so not flimsy. has all protections. 8$ at jameco and mouser and I am sure my meanwell supplier on aliexpress can get it for me at half price... it is a shame that they do not sell the inside separately but nothing is perfect.
      the only problem might be breaking it apart. Meanwell really make sturdy enclosures.
      let me know what you think...

      petewillP Offline
      petewillP Offline
      petewill
      Admin
      wrote on last edited by
      #38

      @Moshe-Livne said:

      @tbowmo @petewill @didi @ServiceXp I think I found the perfect one!!!!
      http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2155823_-1
      http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/260/GS05U-USB-spec-33533.pdf

      it is made by meanwell, so not flimsy. has all protections. 8$ at jameco and mouser and I am sure my meanwell supplier on aliexpress can get it for me at half price... it is a shame that they do not sell the inside separately but nothing is perfect.
      the only problem might be breaking it apart. Meanwell really make sturdy enclosures.
      let me know what you think...

      Those look good! The only problem I potentially see is that it's meant for external use. I would love to find a universal transformer that could be used for everything without having to modify it. Good find though!

      My "How To" home automation video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_Evyh5PQALx4m4CQuxqkA

      Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • petewillP petewill

        @Moshe-Livne said:

        @tbowmo @petewill @didi @ServiceXp I think I found the perfect one!!!!
        http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2155823_-1
        http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/260/GS05U-USB-spec-33533.pdf

        it is made by meanwell, so not flimsy. has all protections. 8$ at jameco and mouser and I am sure my meanwell supplier on aliexpress can get it for me at half price... it is a shame that they do not sell the inside separately but nothing is perfect.
        the only problem might be breaking it apart. Meanwell really make sturdy enclosures.
        let me know what you think...

        Those look good! The only problem I potentially see is that it's meant for external use. I would love to find a universal transformer that could be used for everything without having to modify it. Good find though!

        Moshe LivneM Offline
        Moshe LivneM Offline
        Moshe Livne
        Hero Member
        wrote on last edited by
        #39

        @petewill Technically this is not true. The circuit inside the plug was made to be enclosed. Unlike other non brands I trust Meanwell. I have seen the insides of their LED transformers and a friend (that know much more then me) reviewed them as well for lights we built and they are excellent. Everything is always above spec. They are the reference when it comes to CC or CV transformers.

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

          @tbowmo @petewill @didi @ServiceXp I think I found the perfect one!!!!
          http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2155823_-1
          http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/260/GS05U-USB-spec-33533.pdf

          it is made by meanwell, so not flimsy. has all protections. 8$ at jameco and mouser and I am sure my meanwell supplier on aliexpress can get it for me at half price... it is a shame that they do not sell the inside separately but nothing is perfect.
          the only problem might be breaking it apart. Meanwell really make sturdy enclosures.
          let me know what you think...

          RJ_MakeR Offline
          RJ_MakeR Offline
          RJ_Make
          Hero Member
          wrote on last edited by
          #40

          @Moshe-Livne said:

          @tbowmo @petewill @didi @ServiceXp I think I found the perfect one!!!!
          http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2155823_-1
          http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/260/GS05U-USB-spec-33533.pdf

          it is made by meanwell, so not flimsy. has all protections. 8$ at jameco and mouser and I am sure my meanwell supplier on aliexpress can get it for me at half price... it is a shame that they do not sell the inside separately but nothing is perfect.
          the only problem might be breaking it apart. Meanwell really make sturdy enclosures.
          let me know what you think...

          I think that one would be a good candidate for some testing.

          RJ_Make

          RJ_MakeR 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • petewillP Offline
            petewillP Offline
            petewill
            Admin
            wrote on last edited by
            #41

            @Moshe-Livne @ServiceXp Cool, thanks! By testing, what sort of testing could I do to know it's safe? Also, would I be able to open it up or would I need to keep in in the packaging?

            My ultimate goal is to make a in wall switch similar to what I did with the "smart plug" (https://youtu.be/oNpMDN4QqD8). Do you see any other potential problems with putting those electronics in a wall? I want to make sure I don't do anything stupid before I attempt any of this...

            I am planning on using relays like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261099571172?rmvSB=true

            I would be powering lights so I shouldn't be anywhere near the 10A limit on these relays.

            Thanks for all the help!

            My "How To" home automation video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_Evyh5PQALx4m4CQuxqkA

            DidiD 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • petewillP petewill

              @Moshe-Livne @ServiceXp Cool, thanks! By testing, what sort of testing could I do to know it's safe? Also, would I be able to open it up or would I need to keep in in the packaging?

              My ultimate goal is to make a in wall switch similar to what I did with the "smart plug" (https://youtu.be/oNpMDN4QqD8). Do you see any other potential problems with putting those electronics in a wall? I want to make sure I don't do anything stupid before I attempt any of this...

              I am planning on using relays like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261099571172?rmvSB=true

              I would be powering lights so I shouldn't be anywhere near the 10A limit on these relays.

              Thanks for all the help!

              DidiD Offline
              DidiD Offline
              Didi
              wrote on last edited by
              #42

              @petewill said:

              @Moshe-Livne @ServiceXp Cool, thanks! By testing, what sort of testing could I do to know it's safe?

              I have ordered 5 of them and i will test them at full 600 ma for 4 weeks in a flush box and protocoll data.I think if they don´t smoke we can use them on pcb

              if (knowledge == 0) { use BRAIN; use GOOGLE;use SEARCH; } else {make POST;}

              RJ_MakeR Moshe LivneM 2 Replies Last reply
              0
              • RJ_MakeR RJ_Make

                @Moshe-Livne said:

                @tbowmo @petewill @didi @ServiceXp I think I found the perfect one!!!!
                http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2155823_-1
                http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/260/GS05U-USB-spec-33533.pdf

                it is made by meanwell, so not flimsy. has all protections. 8$ at jameco and mouser and I am sure my meanwell supplier on aliexpress can get it for me at half price... it is a shame that they do not sell the inside separately but nothing is perfect.
                the only problem might be breaking it apart. Meanwell really make sturdy enclosures.
                let me know what you think...

                I think that one would be a good candidate for some testing.

                RJ_MakeR Offline
                RJ_MakeR Offline
                RJ_Make
                Hero Member
                wrote on last edited by
                #43

                @ServiceXp

                Testing as in:

                Ripple / Noise (if you don't have a scope just make sure the sensor does lock up on long run times at max load.)
                Measure the heat it generates during full load (find something that can draw 1 amp).
                Check to see if you can even fit it and the other components inside of a box that already has wire/switch run to it.

                Personally, I would want to crack one of these open and see how it was designed. Making sure it's Ok, the specs look good on it, but you never know....

                If the testing looks good, I would not have a problem using it (I would try and keep it in it's case if at all possible, or have one made that will house everything). I do think you are going to need a pretty deep box to fit it all.

                We really need a MySensors Micro solution here, but then there is the liability.....

                RJ_Make

                Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • DidiD Didi

                  @petewill said:

                  @Moshe-Livne @ServiceXp Cool, thanks! By testing, what sort of testing could I do to know it's safe?

                  I have ordered 5 of them and i will test them at full 600 ma for 4 weeks in a flush box and protocoll data.I think if they don´t smoke we can use them on pcb

                  RJ_MakeR Offline
                  RJ_MakeR Offline
                  RJ_Make
                  Hero Member
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #44

                  @Didi Would you mind pushing one to 1 amp for a while., and then 1.5 if possible. Just want to make sure the OCP activates before it goes up in smoke..

                  RJ_Make

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • DidiD Didi

                    @petewill said:

                    @Moshe-Livne @ServiceXp Cool, thanks! By testing, what sort of testing could I do to know it's safe?

                    I have ordered 5 of them and i will test them at full 600 ma for 4 weeks in a flush box and protocoll data.I think if they don´t smoke we can use them on pcb

                    Moshe LivneM Offline
                    Moshe LivneM Offline
                    Moshe Livne
                    Hero Member
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #45

                    @Didi Would you mind testing the meanwell ones as well? I would have but being on a small island at the end of the world is a problem sometimes. Don't mind buying a few for you for testing - I really would like to have both a reliable wall charger and a power supply I could use in a box without too much worry and the meanwell looks so promising....

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

                      @tbowmo @petewill @didi @ServiceXp I think I found the perfect one!!!!
                      http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_2155823_-1
                      http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/260/GS05U-USB-spec-33533.pdf

                      it is made by meanwell, so not flimsy. has all protections. 8$ at jameco and mouser and I am sure my meanwell supplier on aliexpress can get it for me at half price... it is a shame that they do not sell the inside separately but nothing is perfect.
                      the only problem might be breaking it apart. Meanwell really make sturdy enclosures.
                      let me know what you think...

                      petewillP Offline
                      petewillP Offline
                      petewill
                      Admin
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #46

                      @Moshe-Livne said:

                      I am sure my meanwell supplier on aliexpress can get it for me at half price...

                      Do you have a link for this? I just tried searching and I couldn't find these one ebay or aliexpress.

                      My "How To" home automation video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_Evyh5PQALx4m4CQuxqkA

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • rvendrameR Offline
                        rvendrameR Offline
                        rvendrame
                        Hero Member
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #47

                        Adding my two cents, I have dissected two devices (one zwave from GE and one unbranded, non zwave) and both used a capacitor-resistor power supply.

                        Very dangerous, as it is "transformerless" --- In other hand, cheap and small footprint. By using X2 capacitors the risk is a bit lower. It is in my list for prototype/testing over next weeks.

                        Home Assistant / Vera Plus UI7
                        ESP8266 GW + mySensors 2.3.2
                        Alexa / Google Home

                        petewillP Moshe LivneM 2 Replies Last reply
                        0
                        • sundberg84S Offline
                          sundberg84S Offline
                          sundberg84
                          Hardware Contributor
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #48

                          @rvendrame So did i on a 433mhz relay sold quite common here... it looked as this capacitor-resistor power supply as well.

                          Controller: Proxmox VM - Home Assistant
                          MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - W5100 Ethernet, Gw Shield Nrf24l01+ 2,4Ghz
                          MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - Gw Shield RFM69, 433mhz
                          RFLink GW - Arduino Mega + RFLink Shield, 433mhz

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                          • rvendrameR rvendrame

                            Adding my two cents, I have dissected two devices (one zwave from GE and one unbranded, non zwave) and both used a capacitor-resistor power supply.

                            Very dangerous, as it is "transformerless" --- In other hand, cheap and small footprint. By using X2 capacitors the risk is a bit lower. It is in my list for prototype/testing over next weeks.

                            petewillP Offline
                            petewillP Offline
                            petewill
                            Admin
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #49

                            @rvendrame said:

                            Adding my two cents, I have dissected two devices (one zwave from GE and one unbranded, non zwave) and both used a capacitor-resistor power supply.

                            Very dangerous, as it is "transformerless" --- In other hand, cheap and small footprint. By using X2 capacitors the risk is a bit lower. It is in my list for prototype/testing over next weeks.

                            Interesting. Thanks for posting. I have very limited knowledge in this area so I'm learning a lot. I'm excited to get a good solution for this. It will be very useful for many things.

                            My "How To" home automation video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_Evyh5PQALx4m4CQuxqkA

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • rvendrameR rvendrame

                              Adding my two cents, I have dissected two devices (one zwave from GE and one unbranded, non zwave) and both used a capacitor-resistor power supply.

                              Very dangerous, as it is "transformerless" --- In other hand, cheap and small footprint. By using X2 capacitors the risk is a bit lower. It is in my list for prototype/testing over next weeks.

                              Moshe LivneM Offline
                              Moshe LivneM Offline
                              Moshe Livne
                              Hero Member
                              wrote on last edited by Moshe Livne
                              #50

                              @rvendrame very interesting. The link mention only 100ma at most but I guess that they are using SSRs so don't face the problems we have with our relays. I wonder why there is no "off the shelf" unit like that. I would be a bit scared to construct something like that.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • RJ_MakeR RJ_Make

                                @ServiceXp

                                Testing as in:

                                Ripple / Noise (if you don't have a scope just make sure the sensor does lock up on long run times at max load.)
                                Measure the heat it generates during full load (find something that can draw 1 amp).
                                Check to see if you can even fit it and the other components inside of a box that already has wire/switch run to it.

                                Personally, I would want to crack one of these open and see how it was designed. Making sure it's Ok, the specs look good on it, but you never know....

                                If the testing looks good, I would not have a problem using it (I would try and keep it in it's case if at all possible, or have one made that will house everything). I do think you are going to need a pretty deep box to fit it all.

                                We really need a MySensors Micro solution here, but then there is the liability.....

                                Moshe LivneM Offline
                                Moshe LivneM Offline
                                Moshe Livne
                                Hero Member
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #51

                                @ServiceXp @petewill @Didi here is another one! http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/606238.pdf

                                this one is reasonably smallish, has all the required protections. They are so well hidden....

                                DidiD 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

                                  @ServiceXp @petewill @Didi here is another one! http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/606238.pdf

                                  this one is reasonably smallish, has all the required protections. They are so well hidden....

                                  DidiD Offline
                                  DidiD Offline
                                  Didi
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #52

                                  @Moshe-Livne said:

                                  @ServiceXp @petewill @Didi here is another one!

                                  And pice is ok

                                  Found one at ebay:
                                  http://www.ebay.de/itm/5V-550mA-switching-power-supply-module-MYRRA-47122-PCB-mount-/301663807573?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item463c906855

                                  if (knowledge == 0) { use BRAIN; use GOOGLE;use SEARCH; } else {make POST;}

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                                  • rvendrameR Offline
                                    rvendrameR Offline
                                    rvendrame
                                    Hero Member
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #53

                                    @Moshe-Livne , I believe there is no off the shell as if you dig in the details, you will see that the impedance of the consuming circuit ( arduino + radio + relay in our case) direct influence the overall performance of the capacitor/resistor model.

                                    Usually triacs consume less than relay (something between 10 and 50mA), and you can also control the bright of a light or speed of a motor, instead just turn them on or off.

                                    The downside, you need a snubber circuit as well as a zero-cross detection circuit. The snubber is also recomended for relays, though.

                                    So at the end you don't reduce the footprint or costs --- But triacs tend to last longer than relays, as no mechanical commutation occurs.

                                    Home Assistant / Vera Plus UI7
                                    ESP8266 GW + mySensors 2.3.2
                                    Alexa / Google Home

                                    DrJeffD 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • rvendrameR rvendrame

                                      @Moshe-Livne , I believe there is no off the shell as if you dig in the details, you will see that the impedance of the consuming circuit ( arduino + radio + relay in our case) direct influence the overall performance of the capacitor/resistor model.

                                      Usually triacs consume less than relay (something between 10 and 50mA), and you can also control the bright of a light or speed of a motor, instead just turn them on or off.

                                      The downside, you need a snubber circuit as well as a zero-cross detection circuit. The snubber is also recomended for relays, though.

                                      So at the end you don't reduce the footprint or costs --- But triacs tend to last longer than relays, as no mechanical commutation occurs.

                                      DrJeffD Offline
                                      DrJeffD Offline
                                      DrJeff
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #54

                                      @rvendrame I'm right with you on all of this have been trying to do this for a couple months with no time right now. Actually it has been longer I was originally building all this for another system using XBees and then found it better to use esp8266 then said better yet use Mysensors so here we are! Transformer less is key at least I think so! Only problem no off the self builds.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • scalzS Offline
                                        scalzS Offline
                                        scalz
                                        Hardware Contributor
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #55

                                        Hi,

                                        I found an application notes from enocean regarding power supplies design. I think it could be helpful, and good to remember, so I share the link.
                                        http://www.enocean.com/fileadmin/redaktion/pdf/app_notes/AN101_POWER_SUPPLY_LAYOUT_2015.pdf

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • rvendrameR Offline
                                          rvendrameR Offline
                                          rvendrame
                                          Hero Member
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #56

                                          I'm currently studying this doc STEVAL-ILL004V1 AN2263 AppNote .pdf. I should prototype something over next week if family allows.

                                          Home Assistant / Vera Plus UI7
                                          ESP8266 GW + mySensors 2.3.2
                                          Alexa / Google Home

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