Arduino and Visonic MTC-234 Alarm Remote

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

Hello everyone.

I have been playing around with my arduino starter kit for about 7 day's now and i would like to use it for something usefull, like being able to arm and disarm my home alarm from my computer.

I had an old remote laying around an thought i could use that.

After some searching around i found this image:

Now i need to fake the press on the button with the arduino and i found two options
one: Transistor: EZtronics – Your Phidgets and Atlas Scientific dealer based in Europe
two: Relay http://iprototype.nl/products/components/overig/relais

i read some where that a transistor is the new relay so i though i would use that but every where i read that it is uses in conjunction with an relay to be able to switch a light on and of and stuff. but i just want to fake a pushbutton press.

Can any one confirm that a transistor as linked above would suffice and if so, how would i it up to the arduino and the switch (can't find any thing on that either)

Hope you guys can help. i am really having a hard time getting in to the whole electronic's stuff begin a software man all my life.

2

I searched Google with "using a transistor to press a button" and found this blog post: http://blog.ohbowz.com/?p=49

There is a hand-drawn diagram to help illustrate how to use a transistor to simulate a button press.

The reason you are finding things with relays is because a transistor can be used to turn on high-power loads, such as the coil of a relay. A transistor is just a solid state switch, so there are many applications for it.

3

Thanx for the replay. i have been googleing for some time diden't get that result (site is down now or the link is not correct) i did come acros links like this:

http://booksbybibin.14.forumer.com/a/transistor-tutorial-and-transistor-as-a-switch_post36.html

I am going to mess around with the transistor thingy. (im going to order one first) will post if i get this thing to work.