Standby killer and printer - HOWTO autoswitch on again?

Post by **Lexje** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:47 pm

Hi forum,

Just wondering:
My naughty colorlaser revs up every now and again. Not only the power is wasted, but the noise is dreadfull, definitely at night...
So I was thinking to setup a powerkiller scheme for this printer.
At standby its consuming an average 15 watts.
So if I put a standbykiller in place at consumption less than 20 watts, that should kill the standby...
But how will it switch on again when it needs to print??
Manually switch the Circle?

Thanks for your suggestions!

Erwin

Post by **Bwired** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:54 pm

You can only switch with the software or set the timer for certain windows.
Or if you use software like homeseer etc you can use a remote te switch it on.
Plugwise was planning to make a switch (hardware) also, but it's taking them...

Post by **Lexje** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:57 pm

Pieter, thanks for replying;
So if I understand correctly, I can only switch off using the powerkiller, but no way to switch on apart from
a) a scheme
b) switch on manually using the software...

Regards,

Erwin

Post by **Bwired** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:12 pm

c) Or if you use software like homeseer, Domotiga and/or Maartens software etc. you can use a remote to switch it on.

Post by **TANE** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:12 pm

@Erwin,
Few users here has automated 100%
they check the spooler on the pc when there is a something to print turn on..
when usage drops for 10 min..turn off.
as Pieter mentioned you need additional software for this.

I have same automated.
When there is need to print something just turn on the printer from Homeseer browser or the touch screen.
When i forget to turn off it will be done by the standby event when leaving the house or going to bed.

Post by **Alexander** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:14 pm

Lexje: unfortunately, that's indeed the only way.
What you could do is write a script (found on this forum) that checks the printer spool (if you have an printserver) for unprinted documents, if there is one file, the script has to give the software from Plugwise a signal to activate the plug.

Post by **Lexje** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:15 pm

Thanks guys,

Looking forward to be able to do it using Linux, and, hopefully integrated in LinuxMCE...

Erwin

Post by **Lexje** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:16 pm

Mgizmo,

Thanks for the tip, sounds interesting!!
Will definitely have a look at this.

Erwin

Post by **Edwin2008** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:16 pm

if the printer is combined with a fax is there a powerfriendly way to detect incoming fax and switch printer on to receive the fax?

Post by **Snelvuur** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:06 pm

dont use a printer for your fax, use software which will create pdf files of your faxes. since most of the people allready have 1 server running for home automation you can install a client on there with voip fax.

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **Alexander** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:20 pm

@erik: most all-in-ones have software to save the faxes as pdf files. So most of the times no need to go that far. Still the AIO have to be online to receive faxes.

@edwin: so you mean: AIO completely disconnected from the power and trigger based on faxsignal of the line? If so, then you will need an extra device to get the signal (ie a modem, but than you could already use this modem to receive faxes to pdf files on the server).

Post by **Edwin2008** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:29 am

You're right (i'm using this since 1996) but i have also a nomral fax device because of the WAF issue

so i was wondering if there was another way to detect incoming call on the fax line (perhaps via the fritzbox?)