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I measured the current drawn by the several units of my den entertainment center and discovered that the total was 35 watts even when all were off. The main culprit is the "Set-Top Box" which I am obliged to rent from my cable company. This unit draws full power even in its "Bypass" setting, and has no power control. I think its manufacturer, Scientific Atlanta, should be required to purchase "Carbon Credits" for its environmentally-irresponsible design. This device cuts off the power to all with a relay when all units go on standby. Their remote controls turns it back on. To save money, I made this device around a surplus "Coffee Timer", available as item 16742 MI from MPJA for $3.99. This provides a power supply (with only 1 watt draw when the relay is off), 10-amp relay, and a relay driver transistor. And, of course, a clock. The timer function is disconnected, but the control knob with AUTO-OFF-ON selection retains these same functions. In AUTO mode the picaxe 08M-powered electronics senses an IR-remote sensor and a current-measuring shunt resistor with isolating transformer. Any remote button press on any of the several entertainment-center remotes will activate the relay, which will be kept on by the resulting current draw, and for 20 minutes after all units are put on standby. In normal conditions, this device needs no attention. |
| Here are photographs |
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Here are the circuit diagrams |
| Here is the code |