Alternative Controls for a Xantech MRC88

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post #1 of 9

6/16/09 at 2:59pm

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I'm getting my feet wet and have a (used) mrc88 on the way

(Woo Hoo)..but it doesn't have keypads...

Without buying any extra "systems" (outside of attaching a pc, maybe), are there any iPhone Apps that can control the mrc88? (Similar to ilovecontrol?) Or maybe a small webserver that interfaces to girder?

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post #2 of 9

6/17/09 at 12:00pm

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Are you looking for two way control or only the ability to send commands. We are getting closer to completing our application which can easily include these commands for this device. You will need a device to communicate with the MRC88 since the iPhone uses WiFi and the MRC88 uses RS232. Global Cache, Bitwise both make such devices. A PC with a serial port is another option, although the serial port is going the way of the dodo.

post #3 of 9

6/18/09 at 3:16pm

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I'd like 2 way--but at this point, I'll take what I can get.

I assumed a PC would need to connect to the mrc88 via serial port and that as long as I had a had some sort of wireless router, it could control the PC and therefore the mrc88.

I was thinking about either girder (one way) or CQC (2 way but requires RDP)

How does your app work? Does it send the controls directly to the mrc88 (via a global cache?)

post #4 of 9

6/18/09 at 5:10pm

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Technically, Girder can do two way serial control (my old remote system used Girder so I am very familiar with it). Our app resides on the iPhone and "talks" to the Global Cache or a similar gateway device. The gateway device is connected to the MRC88.

The codes look quite simple to implement. You are welcome to let me know which commands you are interested in specifically and I can double check.

post #5 of 9

6/19/09 at 7:40am

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Wow...that'd make things easier!

Have you checked out the 'intelliremote' app? It sounds similar (send commands to global cache that sends them out to a device (or devices))

I think serial is the way to go though--do you agree?

rwc

post #6 of 9

6/19/09 at 8:38am

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i did look at the intelliremote app before I started mine. For my personal needs it did not offer enough control, but it may fit your specific application.

post #7 of 9

6/19/09 at 1:12pm

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