fingers88
Newbie level 1
Hi first time poster so here goes.
First of all I searched the forum for something similar but couldn't find an answer/solution.
Lets just say I know NOTHING about electronics and start form there, straight forward project I'd like to be able to switch on my home PC by calling/SMS. The idea is I have a spare mobile phone, and I'd like to be able to call the spare phone which in turn switches on my PC.
I have given it some thought and my initial idea is to use a LDR facing the mobile that will activate a solenoid that will push the power button. Knowing nothing about electronics I have seen a basic kit on ebay which an LDR lights up an LED when it detects light. So I'd make a box which the completed PCB sits in and the phone facing it ready for me to call. What I'm unsure about is instead of it lighting the LED can the 'closing' of the circuit be used to switch on a solenoid?
That's the basic idea but I know there's a lot to it for someone with no electronic knowledge.
Other things I think I may need to consider is a relay so the battery can power the solenoid when the light sensor circuit closes, the solenoid should be straight forward, a push action with a spring return. Not too sure about the battery power needed for the whole thing.
One other thing is when the phone 'rings' I only want the push button action to push once for about 1 second only. When the phone rings it lights up for a few seconds and if the button is pressed for that long my PC will switch off.
OK so that's it, I'm welcome to other more simpler solutions that will do what I want. Please remember I know nothing about electronics so nothing too technical just yet.
Many many thanks.
First of all I searched the forum for something similar but couldn't find an answer/solution.
Lets just say I know NOTHING about electronics and start form there, straight forward project I'd like to be able to switch on my home PC by calling/SMS. The idea is I have a spare mobile phone, and I'd like to be able to call the spare phone which in turn switches on my PC.
I have given it some thought and my initial idea is to use a LDR facing the mobile that will activate a solenoid that will push the power button. Knowing nothing about electronics I have seen a basic kit on ebay which an LDR lights up an LED when it detects light. So I'd make a box which the completed PCB sits in and the phone facing it ready for me to call. What I'm unsure about is instead of it lighting the LED can the 'closing' of the circuit be used to switch on a solenoid?
That's the basic idea but I know there's a lot to it for someone with no electronic knowledge.
Other things I think I may need to consider is a relay so the battery can power the solenoid when the light sensor circuit closes, the solenoid should be straight forward, a push action with a spring return. Not too sure about the battery power needed for the whole thing.
One other thing is when the phone 'rings' I only want the push button action to push once for about 1 second only. When the phone rings it lights up for a few seconds and if the button is pressed for that long my PC will switch off.
OK so that's it, I'm welcome to other more simpler solutions that will do what I want. Please remember I know nothing about electronics so nothing too technical just yet.
Many many thanks.
