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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
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    Campbelltown NSW
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    Default Mail Alert for Letterbox

    Some years ago the postie had a whistle and we knew we had mail in the letterbox. Once the EPA was established, someone complained about the noise pollution and the whistle disappeared. Not to worry posties started buzzing around on Honda motorbikes and we knew the mail was coming. Roll on 2019 and it’s electric power assisted pushbikes and the latest is the all electric trike and they are silent!


    Not to be deterred I had a think about it and came up with an idea for a mail delivery alert. I used HPM remote door bell from Bunnings for $12 plus a handful of $5 components from Jaycar and some odd and ends from the shed for parts.


    I attached a plastic tie to a lever microswitch that is in series with a resistor and capacitor to stop the bell from repeatably operating and connected across the existing press button contacts. I had to fiddle a bit for the best location for the switch and length of plastic tie to cover the letter box. Those faux milk can letter boxes are really deep, around half a metre.


    Still have to tidy it up as it is more proof of concept at the moment.


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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Katoomba NSW
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    Default

    Nice idea A8. Let us know how it goes.
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
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    Sutherland Shire, Sydney
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    Clever solution!. Now I have to think about any other uses for these little transmitters, maybe a 'full' alarm for the dust extractor bin, pool gate open alarm, the sky is the limit.

    Anyone else got a suggestion on how / where to use one of these transmitters?

    Alan...

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
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    I really like solutions that make use of existing stuff so well done.

    One enhancement could be something like a LED on the bell to continuously remind you something has arrived eg something has arrived when you you are not home.

    BTW My approach is to leave the back of the letter box open so I can see if there is anything in it from any of the front windows inside the hours but sometimes the posties close the back of the letter box!

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
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    Campbelltown NSW
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    I really like solutions that make use of existing stuff so well done.

    One enhancement could be something like a LED on the bell to continuously remind you something has arrived eg something has arrived when you you are not home.
    My thought too. I picked up some parts today to make a latching circuit, hopefully to squeeze into the receiver box and use its 3v battery. A miniature n/c push reset button is proving hard to find though, might have to add a supplementary box.

  7. #6
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    Jan 2005
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    Campbelltown NSW
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    Quote Originally Posted by Uncle Al View Post
    Clever solution!. Now I have to think about any other uses for these little transmitters, maybe a 'full' alarm for the dust extractor bin, pool gate open alarm, the sky is the limit.

    Anyone else got a suggestion on how / where to use one of these transmitters?

    Alan...
    a reminder bell to call us up to the house from the shed?

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,756

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    Quote Originally Posted by apple8 View Post
    a reminder bell to call us up to the house from the shed?
    I had one of those but then SWMBO started over using it so it suddenly stopped working.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge SA
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    BTW My approach is to leave the back of the letter box open so I can see if there is anything in it from any of the front windows inside the hours but sometimes the posties close the back of the letter box!
    We put a padlock on our mail box as we've had mail pinched. Fortunately it wasn't of much use to them for Identity Theft or whatever they were after.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Oberon, NSW
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    63
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    13,354

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    What's the range on one o' those little xmitter doodads?

    To save myself a long walk to check the mail I thought about one of those little flags like we see in older US movies... except nowadays I'd have to walk halfway to the letterbox anyway to see the bloody thing.
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
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    Campbelltown NSW
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    Default

    Did a tidy up and cleaned the letter box. Due to the width and length of the box I had to add a second micro switch. As suggested I made up a latching circuit which easily fitted into the receiver box and once triggered a LED lights up until cancelled by a reset switch.

    EB426757-2972-467D-8FE4-C03AE8156987.jpegE1515999-F179-435E-8EBB-40143535FB6D.jpg

  12. #11
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    Jan 2005
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    Campbelltown NSW
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    Quote Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!! View Post
    What's the range on one o' those little xmitter doodads?
    Documentation says 50 metres but it could be affected by obstacles I suppose. Mine is in an all metal box and I think that could restrict it a bit so I added about 15cm to the transmitter antenna to get it outside the box. Mine is about 10 metres from the receiver.

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