HISTORY:
Another interesting gadget from one of my many boxes of tricks transported through the mists of time!
Wherever possible I always attempt to give as much information as possible about the items I am offering, this kit is no exception ...
I bought this in 2015, for fun and to just have a look at what could be done with these. Once I had done my tests at that time, everything was put back in the box and tucked away for "another day" Yes ... I had lost interest!
I can see that many manufacturers offer this type of device these days but back in 2015 it was quite a novelty. Aldi is good for things like that - funny little gadgets that don't cost the earth ... I also bought a bunch of nice FULLY programmable (online) remotes way back then and they worked out to be perfect for the task at hand.
I am offering the COMPLETE kit, exactly as it was originally supplied except I bought a new battery for the remote because after 9 years the old one had died!
Now on with the description of this interesting kit to remotely control up to 4 power outlets.
BAUHN - Four Remotely Controlled Indoor Power Outlets
Made in China
Aldi Product code: 41961
Model number: EC-RCS-01
Australian plugs and safety standards compliant
Retailed through Aldi Australia back around 2015
ONLY for indoor use!
DO NOT USE THIS EQUIPMENT OUTDOORS
Each power socket can control 10A or 2400W (same as the maximum power of a domestic power socket)
KIT CONTENTS:
Remote control
4x 'piggy back' power sockets (112mm H x 57mm W x 42mm D)
NOTE: Due to the width of each socket, these will NOT fit next to each other in a double power outlet (I tried it!) - this could be an important consideration in some circumstances.
E23 12V Alkaline battery for the remote
Getting started booklet
User instructions, notes on use
Warranty card (blank fields, but quitely frankly I doubt if Aldi or the distributor in Australia would help out after 9 years have passed. Actually the distributors domain (eurocentre.com.au) no longer appears to exist.
TESTING & OBSERVATIONS:
This section is IMPORTANT - READ IT PLEASE!
I carefully extracted everything from the original box and set about having a repeat "play time" as I did 9 years ago!
First up, I tested the remote battery - dead as (not surprising) so I grabbed another E23 from my box of tricks and fired up the remote.
The remote control technology used is radio, not infra-red. I confirmed this with a Uniden scanner I had on hand, frequency used appears to be around 433Mhz. This frequency is nowhere near WiFi frequencies and there should be no interference problems with your home WiFi setup - it certainly didn't affect ours!
This means you can remotely control the power outlets WITHOUT being in "line of sight" i.e from different rooms in the house and there is no need for direct visual sight of the power socket being controlled.
NOTE: I see that "modern" remote power socket controllers available elsewhere have WiFi capability or even smart phone access - this kit DOES NOT HAVE THOSE CAPABILITIES.
Next, I followed the instruction manual on the setup procedure. The Manual is well written in English (not Chinglish) and I found it easy to follow and understand.
Setting up each power socket is a quick process (allocating one of the 4 channels to each socket)
I confirm that each socket could be turned ON and OFF with the remote reliably - all was good. I also checked that the remote sockets did NOT respond to codes for the other sockets - again, all good.
When the remotely controlled socket operates (in other words the correct code has been received from the remote) there is a definite "click" inside the socket so these sockets use a electromagnetic relay to control the power available at the socket, presumably the contacts are rated at 10A or higher!
I had applicances plugged into each socket, just to make sure power was indeed applied at the socket outlet when turned ON.
Next I went for a walk ... no, I wasn't bored with these once again but instead I was checking the distance over which I could reliably remotely control the sockets. Up on the street I am about 60 metres away from the house and the remote STILL WORKED! This means that any 'standard' sized house with normal walls should not hinder the operation of this kit.
My last test was the 'memory' of the sockets once programmed with each distinctive code from 1 to 4. This is important if you had a power cut for example, if the coding is not remembered then all your sockets will need to be re-programmed!
I checked the sockets at one hour, four hour and overnight after 12 hours without power and there was NO LOSS OF CODING INFORMATION - the sockets responded correctly immediately power was reapplied.
NOTE: Of course you can easily DELETE any previous codes programmed into the sockets, instructions are within the booklet - I tested this feature and it works a treat! In fact I have 'reset' all codes on the power sockets so they are ready for the new owners to setup.
KIT COSMETIC CONDITION:
NEW but "open box"
CLEAN - no grubby fingerprints, palm marks etc!
The sockets were all in their original packet, I have replaced them back into that packet and heat sealed it. As mentioned above, all codes have been reset to "factory" i.e no codes are yet set.
The remote is spotless, battery contacts are of course the same.
E23 (12V miniature battery) is in its original packaging and sealed - it is NOT installed in the remote because Australia Post takes exception to items being sent with them which have the batteries installed (classified as Dangerous Goods).
Booklet, warranty card etc are all clean and unmarked.
After carefully putting everything back in the box, I have sealed that box in clear plastic to keep it protected from the environment (and make sure no-one here removes any of the components!)
