Cell phone relay for pre-heater

cowman

cowman

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Clark1961 said:
It should be possible to go with a T-Mobile simcard for $10 and then renew it for $10 every three months.
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Yeah or if you already have cell service with a GSM carrier you might be able to add a line for less than that.
 
If you have a REIFF engine heater check their website. They have one for 89.00 that they have checked out.
 
Would Philipny and his Switchbox product work?
 
AggieMike88 said:
Would Philipny and his Switchbox product work?
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Yup but it's more expensive. However, you can buy the GSM switch he uses direct from the supplier, provide your own cords and power supply and sim card for about $125-200.
 
I bought the SwitchBox directly from the seller in NYC, and I love it.

Sitting at home, I can send a text message to turn the preheater on.

It has two outlets, so I use the second one to turn a battery charger on or off. Some people use the 2nd outlet for an electric heater to warm up the hangar, although I haven't tried it.

The cost of the T-mobile pay-as-you-go plan isn't much. About $30 will get you through the winter, then you just don't renew until you need it again.
 
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How well do these work in a big metal box called a hangar?
 
kyleb said:
How well do these work in a big metal box called a hangar?
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Just fine, even with the hangar door closed.

It is just a cell phone in a box, with a relay. If you get cell phone reception from T mobile in your hangar, you are good.
 
I have a GSM Auto (essentially the controller that PhillipNY makes his units out of), but you have to provide your own power supply and interface wiring. The answer...it doesn't work at all inside my metal T hangar with the door closed. It works marginally if I get it up near the eave vent (might work for you if you are closer to a cell site), but I fortunately had a remote cellular antenna left over from another project. I just connected it to the unit (had to drill another hole in the box) and unscrewed the little rubber duck on the board and connected my remote antenna. There's enough gap between the corrugated hangar roof and the door header to poke the antenna outside. Works fine that way.

Of course, my wooden hangar in NC has the radio antennas for opening the door stuck to the inside of the door.
 
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