power sensing plug?

[SJTrance]

I have a dilemma that I think you fine folks can help me with. I've searched both on this site as well as google and couldn't find anything definitive. I have installed the Ikea dioder backlight behind my Samsung LED LCD TV that is hung up on the wall. It still needs some positional tweaking, but what I'm looking for is a way for it to turn on along with the TV.

I think I remember someone saying that it's possible to have a plug outlet that when somehow paired with the TV, you can automatically have it come on when it senses that the TV is powered on. Is that possible?

Another way would bet to somehow use a remote (or even my harmony remote) to turn it on. The Harmony I have is not an RF capable one.

If neither of these will work, tell me what other ways would be to turn on the backlight without me actually turning it on manually. Thanks in advance for your help.

Sanjay

 

[highfigh]

I have a dilemma that I think you fine folks can help me with. I've searched both on this site as well as google and couldn't find anything definitive. I have installed the Ikea dioder backlight behind my Samsung LED LCD TV that is hung up on the wall. It still needs some positional tweaking, but what I'm looking for is a way for it to turn on along with the TV.

I think I remember someone saying that it's possible to have a plug outlet that when somehow paired with the TV, you can automatically have it come on when it senses that the TV is powered on. Is that possible?

Another way would bet to somehow use a remote (or even my harmony remote) to turn it on. The Harmony I have is not an RF capable one.

If neither of these will work, tell me what other ways would be to turn on the backlight without me actually turning it on manually. Thanks in advance for your help.

Sanjay

Check your receiver for 12V triggers, like some Denon AVR models. If you have a Zone 2 and don't use it for audio, you can program the triggers to send 12V when a particular Zone 2 input is activated and this can be used in the regular activities or as long as you add Zone 2 to the device list, you can add an On/Off button in all of the TV-based activities, calling it Light On and Light Off. Then, you can buy or build a 12VDC switching module using a relay.

Anything is possible but it's a matter of how much you want to spend.

 

[sholling]

In theory you can use your IR remote with an X10 module and an X10 IR controller. Unfortunately I couldn't get it to work - I suspect that's because of noise from florescent fixtures and CF bulbs but I'm not sure.

 

[BMXTRIX]

You need a current sensor for the TV, which may not be completely easy to come by and you don't just need a current sensor, you need a 120v controlled relay with that current sensor. I would think that one of the only ways to get this would be by building it yourself out of parts into an electrical box. Fun stuff if you know electronics.

Otherwise, I would probably be looking at my A/V receiver which has switched outlets which turn on when the receiver turns on or my cable box which has switched outlets which turn on when the box is turned on. Either one should be able to handle a low wattage lighting load.

 

[AVRat]

http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Strip-SCG4-Autoswitching-Technology/dp/B000L9A7ZS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269190983&sr=1-3

 

[BMXTRIX]

http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Strip-SCG4-Autoswitching-Technology/dp/B000L9A7ZS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269190983&sr=1-3

That's a very cool find. It looks like the one you linked to has received the worst reviews of the bunch they make, so I would probably go for one of the better reviewed models from them, but definitely a cool find!

 

[SJTrance]

Thanks a lot for that info. It looks like exactly what I'm looking for. It does have some very bad feedback with shoddy quality. It guides me in the right direction to find what I'm looking for. It also seems like a cheap solution.

 

[GlocksRock]

I just use the switched outlets on the back of my AV receiver to turn my lights on and off. It's the easiest way to do it, but if you don't have a receiver, then you will need to find another method.

 

[SJTrance]

Well yes, the Pioneer Elite VSX-90TXV has a power outlet and a 12V Trigger (whatever that means...lol). So, if I turn off the receiver, it should automatically turn off whatever is plugged into that as well?

 

[SJTrance]

Alright, folks, I've done it. I just plugged it into the back of the receiver and it was all good. Here is a picture of the finished product.

 

[SJTrance]

Here is the color corrected picture.