I'm just getting started with Arduino (this will be my second project). I want to build some home automation stuff down the road, but right now to I want to build an Arduino project that can transmit signals (I assume RF) to control a SportDog Sport Hunter SD-1225 dog training shock collar, since that's what I have handy.
Here's my experience:
I've built one other Arduino project, a simple mallet that hit a drum when I pressed "enter" on my laptop.
I have done computer programming, and am really comfortable with the code end of things.
My goal is to set an Arduino up to transmit messages to the shock collar, including shock / vibrate / sound only, and the selected level.
My specific questions are:
Is it better to try to wire an Arduino into the existing transmitter? Or to try to detect the frequency / type of transmission and replicate this programmatically?
If the latter, what tools do I need to detect the appropriate signal?
What items do you recommend I purchase to put this together?
I know my questions are somewhat broad (I'm a beginner), but even any help pointing me in the right direction would be much appreciated.
Here's a video of an Arduino setup similar to what I'm trying out, but the author didn't include much information about what parts he used: USB Shock Collar - YouTube
Down the road, I want to use this knowledge to build lots of remote systems in my home I can control with my cell phone.
You will need to get the specifications for the dog collar. It sounds like you aren't even sure if it is RF?
If it has an RF receiver I suspect it would be very difficult to make a transmitter without knowing the details of the frequency and signals it is expecting.
If you have some sophisticated RF monitoring equipment you may be able to eavesdrop on the signals and learn that way, but I think that would require much greater expertise than you claim.
I'm pretty sure it's RF, because the range is 3/4 mile and it doesn't require line of sight, so it's not IR. Anyway, it sounds like I should wire an Arduino up to connect the circuits on the transmitter buttons. Which configuration would be best for that?
nap60647:
I'm pretty sure it's RF, because the range is 3/4 mile and it doesn't require line of sight, so it's not IR. Anyway, it sounds like I should wire an Arduino up to connect the circuits on the transmitter buttons. Which configuration would be best for that?
One easy method is to get four relays and have the arduino power and control the relay coils and each relay contact pair would be wired across each keyfob switch contact pair, thus no real electrical knowledge about the transmitter in needed. If one did have more electrical knowledge about the transmitter keyfob, it could be possible to wire arduino output pins directly to the keybob, but again one would need to figure out the voltage and polarity being used in the keyfob.
