Hello,

I am setting up an alarm system for a fish study. This will probably include a Ruggeduino to read the sensor inputs and send a message to a Windows computer which will be right next to it. There is also a wireless router mounted on the wall a couple of feet away. My objective is to send out email alerts and automatically make phone calls with the computer (and or router) to alert people about the alarm state. I do not have to describe the alarm state, I just need to have a single message that says something like "An alarm state has occured at your fish study".

Can someone please make some suggestions as to the best way to approach this project?

Thanks,

Jim

""Do you think that I will need the Arduino Ethernet Shield in order to communicate with a windows computer?""

"Depends on the distance and the speed and bandwidth you need.
If you can do it by serial, do it as that is much cheaper and faster.

What kind of PC application do you need to communicate to."


Hey Rob,

Thanks for the reply.

The controller will always be connected to the computer. The speed and bandwidths are not important. I will make sure there is a serial port on the computer.

About the PC application, I honestly don't know. I guess whatever is best for communicating with email software.

This is good news if I do not have to worry about an Ethernet Shield.

Do you reckon all that I need is the Ruggeduino? If so I will order one now and wait impatiently for it's arrival.

Thank You Sir,

Jim

This one - http://ruggedcircuits.com/html/ruggeduino.html - comes directly in mind ...

But check the specs ...

I looked at it and it seems to be rugged enough for my application. Thanks for the advice.  Do you think that I will need the Arduino Ethernet Shield in order to communicate with a windows computer?

Once again, thank you.

Jim

Hey thanks rob, I will check it out.

Hello,

I was recommended to Arduino from a friend of mine in our local Make club. I am an electrician who does not know anything about electronics but would like to learn. A project has been offered to me by a customer and I would like to use this project to learn more about electronics.

I am thinking of using this awesome Arduino product line to build an alarm system for a fish study.

The alarm system will signal one horn/strobe and communicate an alarm state to a computer. Once the computer receives the message then it will email, text and make phone calls. The alarm does not have to describe the exact problem to the computer, just that there is a problem.

The system will have 6 - digital inputs 24V DC PNP

The system will also have 3 - analog inputs from temperature transmitters with a range of 4 - 20mA.

Fortunately, the Arduino itself will be out in the hallway and not in any of the fish study rooms. The hallway is not a corrosive environment.

I was wondering if you kind folks would please advise me as to whether or not the Arduino controller is the right pick for this application. I am concerned about it's ability to last years and about its wire terminations.



If this is the product to use, can you folks please recommend to me which Arduino product to use? The Uno and the Ethernet board seem to be all that I need. Do you think that I should use the Nano and connect it to a breadboard?

Thank you for the great advice. I am really excited about this product because it seems like the best way to learn more about electronics and programming.

Best To All,

J