I'm still new with the arduino Microcontrollers and have no previous experience in electronics other than IT (and coding)
I want to make a door/window alarm using a magnetic "switch" when the magnets are forced apart ide expect the conneciton to break.
I tested this out with some fridge magnets and 2 lead wires but i get no current through the magnets (of course)
I'de like to know if there's an alternative to magnets or if i'm just doing something wrong? I need some sort of direction; I know what I want to do I just need to learn where i should go to learn it.
e.g..
(leadwire)-----[magnet1]|space| [magnet2]-----(leadwire) =this is a broken circuit=
(leadwire)-----[magnet1][magnet2]-----(leadwire) =this is a completed circuit=
I beleive i'll need a hall effect sensor and a magnetic field sensor to detect this?
Ok. What would you like help with ?
raschemmel:
Ok. What would you like help with ?
How would someone complete a circuit with wires that have magnets on the ends of them? lol.
Are there any alternatives to this method?
With all due respect. If you are talking about the standard door /window sensor pairs in the white plastic cases. One of them has leads (the reed switch ) and the other doesn't (magnet). The circuit is completed when the reed switch is in the magnetic field of the magnet. I don't know of any magnets with wires. I know of hall -effect sensors that would have wires and work the same way as the reed switch but the magnet wouldn't have any wires so we are still not on the same page. Post a photo of what you are talking about and a vendor link.
raschemmel:
With all due respect. If you are talking about the standard door /window sensor pairs in the white plastic cases. One of them has leads (the reed switch ) and the other doesn't (magnet). The circuit is completed when the reed switch is in the magnetic field of the magnet. I don't know of any magnets with wires. I know of hall -effect sensors that would have wires and work the same way as the reed switch but the magnet wouldn't have any wires so we are still not on the same page. Post a photo of what you are talking about and a vendor link.
no vendor link, i just did this myself, heh. I'm literally just trying to use magnets for a connection. It seemed like a good idea. lol.
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=238011.0;attach=80196;image
A reed switch looks like its exactly what i'm looking for actually. I didn;t know they existed. thanks!
RadioShack used to sell the door and window sensors but they phased out a lot of inexpensive items to make room for high tech, more expensive items. Here's an example of what I was describing:
raschemmel:
RadioShack used to sell the door and window sensors but they phased out a lot of inexpensive items to make room for high tech, more expensive items. Here's an example of what I was describing:
Honeywell MPS80 - Surface Mount Contact with Terminals - Alarm Grid
Ah; I'll have to check tomorrow at work.. That mount is pretty nice actually; wont look as mad as some open wires hanging off my door lol. I greatly appreciate the help! I'm also thinking about making a car alarm system as well! just wired to the battery/ignition possibly
