Smart plugs

[Mark26]

Has anyone tried a smart plug on their boat?

I’m in a Thames marina with Wi-Fi, and I was wondering if I could control a smart plug from home?
I suspect not.
I’m guessing that the controlling phone, and the smart plug, both have to be in range of the same Wi-Fi network.

 

[Mark26]

Now I’m a little more awake, the above appears, even to me, to be a silly question.

COFFEE!

 

[oldgit]

As an absolute technophobe...can you not turn ones "Chinaspacher" on and off remotely via ones mobile phone ?

 

[Sandydog2]

The smart plug needs WiFi. Your phone can be anywhere with a WiFi or mobile signal. Just make sure the thing you want to control will do exactly what you want just by switching the power on and off. For example we have a dehumidifier which can be switched on and off at the socket, but reverts to it's default settings.

 

[Scapegoat]

We use Marina Wi-Fi to keep an eye on our boat when we’re away. The solar panel keeps the battery topped up and it just stands on the helm - totally portable. Great picture, intercom and 360 pan and tilt. Amazing!

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Security-Outdoor-Wireless-Battery-Operated/dp/B09QYN9QQT/

 

[Northern Star]

Yes you can use them and a friend on the marina does it all the time.

I personally have a three mobile 4G wifi on boaty and also have a wifi camera on board to keep an eye on her!

The cameras are very cheap off e-bay: HD WiFi IP Security Camera Wireless Indoor CCTV System Home Baby Pet Monitor Cam | eBay

 

[Mark26]

As an absolute technophobe...can you not turn ones "Chinaspacher" on and off remotely via ones mobile phone ?

You can if the heater is fitted with the appropriate thingamajig, which is an optional extra.

 

[Mark26]

The smart plug needs WiFi. Your phone can be anywhere with a WiFi or mobile signal. Just make sure the thing you want to control will do exactly what you want just by switching the power on and off. For example we have a dehumidifier which can be switched on and off at the socket, but reverts to it's default settings.

That’s interesting, thank you.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

I've used modified old cell phones to get a diesel heater going before now with a light sensor but an easier option is to get a GSM gate opening switch and wire the NO relay output to the on off switch for the heater.

About £15 for one of these and it does not need a SIM with ongoing credit topups as all it is doing is receiving text messages.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

RTU5024 GSM Gate Opener Relay Switch Remote Control Wireless Door Opener | eBay

£20. UK stock apparently.

 

[Plum]

RTU5024 GSM Gate Opener Relay Switch Remote Control Wireless Door Opener | eBay

£20. UK stock apparently.

Excellent. Thanks for that. Do you get feedback that the text has been received and the relay has operated?

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Outinthedinghy]

I can't remember as have not used one for ages. I think it did send messages back.

 

[plumbob]

The smart plug needs WiFi. Your phone can be anywhere with a WiFi or mobile signal. Just make sure the thing you want to control will do exactly what you want just by switching the power on and off. For example we have a dehumidifier which can be switched on and off at the socket, but reverts to it's default settings.

So........... Take plug and phone to marina.
Connect phone to marina WiFi
Have plug app on phone
Press connect button on plug.
Phone app shows On Off timer etc.
Set times required
Switch off app.
Go home.
Get home.................????

Have I missed something?? Probably everything
Thanks

 

[Sandydog2]

So........... Take plug and phone to marina.
Connect phone to marina WiFi
Have plug app on phone
Press connect button on plug.
Phone app shows On Off timer etc.
Set times required
Switch off app.
Go home.
Get home.................????

Have I missed something?? Probably everything
Thanks

Yes that's right exactly. The plug is then connected to the app via the marina WiFi. Your phone is connected to the app wherever you are by WiFi or data. So you can make any schedule changes from your phone. You don't need your phone to be on the same WiFi as the plug, it's the app which is coordinating it via your account.

So I have an oil filled heater. It's at home, connected to my home WiFi. I can switch it on or off from anywhere with a data connection. We have the app on 2 phones plus an ipad. You only need to log in to the same account on the app for all devices to be able to interact with the plug.

It won't, for example, switch a radio on as you have to power it up and then press a physical button.

Our plugs are kasa/tplink . If you get one that also monitors power consumption you will know it has worked ! I suggest playing with it at home first then resetting to default settings.

By the way the price of the plugs varies wildly on amazon - copy the url into camelcamelcamel to see the trend. They go as low as £10

Hope this helps.

 

[plumbob]

Yes that's right exactly. The plug is then connected to the app via the marina WiFi. Your phone is connected to the app wherever you are by WiFi or data. So you can make any schedule changes from your phone. You don't need your phone to be on the same WiFi as the plug, it's the app which is coordinating it via your account.

So I have an oil filled heater. It's at home, connected to my home WiFi. I can switch it on or off from anywhere with a data connection. We have the app on 2 phones plus an ipad. You only need to log in to the same account on the app for all devices to be able to interact with the plug.

It won't, for example, switch a radio on as you have to power it up and then press a physical button.

Our plugs are kasa/tplink . If you get one that also monitors power consumption you will know it has worked ! I suggest playing with it at home first then resetting to default settings.

By the way the price of the plugs varies wildly on amazon - copy the url into camelcamelcamel to see the trend. They go as low as £10

Hope this helps.

Thanks very much for your reply, a great help

 

[Mark26]

Thank you Sandydog2