Hi.
I'm planning to make a network of microcontrollers as part of a home automation system. I was thinking of a rs485 network. As I understand it, for a full duplex rs485 network I'll need 3 twisted pairs. So if I use a cat5 cable I'll have one twisted pair not in use. Is it a good idea to use this pair for distributing power to my nodes ?
if so:
1. What would be a useful current to use, 12v ? (Max distance from the master to a slave is 150 feet. I'll have up to 32 slaves-nodes)
2. How do I regulate the voltages in a node to something useful for my PIC's ?
3. Any idea of how this could be done ? (Schematics, hints, explanations, links)
My nodes will not use much power they will primally be used for readiong some sensors and send the data back to the master.
Thanks for any replies.