You Got A mail!!!

[ChrisGreece52]

Hello i am always awaiting new packages to arrive and have to go up and down in the stairs in order to check the mailbox.What i need i a simple sensor solution in order to track if there is any mail into the mailbox.Ben did it in one of his videos but i would like something much simpler and wired if possible
Link to Bens video :

[SeanB]

Funny enough I looked at this this morning....

http://www.eeweb.com/blog/extreme_circuits/you-have-mail

Might do for a beginning look, or build it simpler.

[ChrisGreece52]

Funny enough I looked at this this morning....

http://www.eeweb.com/blog/extreme_circuits/you-have-mail

Might do for a beginning look, or build it simpler.

Thank you it looks great but the schematic picture is not that big...

[PA0PBZ]

Thank you it looks great but the schematic picture is not that big...

Probably because you need 10 elektor credits to read it 

http://www.elektor.com/magazines/2004/july/you-have-mail!.57090.lynkx

Hmm, the forum doesn't like a ! in an url, please copy/paste

[HackedFridgeMagnet]

Now, how to integrate it with Outlook?

[ChrisGreece52]

Now, how to integrate it with Outlook?

I do not want it to communicate with Otlook i just want it to display a message or just blink an led or just light up an led.I dont want it to be fancy i only need it to be simple and functional.

[ChrisGreece52]

Thank you it looks great but the schematic picture is not that big...

Probably because you need 10 elektor credits to read it 

http://www.elektor.com/magazines/2004/july/you-have-mail!.57090.lynkx

Hmm, the forum doesn't like a ! in an url, please copy/paste

Probably yeah so please if you can just copy the full size picture link to post it if you may

[ddavidebor]

You just need a flip flop, 2 led, a foto diode or a fototransistor and some cables.

Just use the flip flop with enable low, use the sensor to set the led hight and a button to set it low with asincronous inputs.

[w2aew]

Have you seen this mailbox notifier.  It uses a very inexpensive Arduino compatible uC and wireless transmitter.  The video shows a wireless mailbox notifier that sends you a tweet when the mailbox gets opened.

[ResR]

Maybe this is needed?

[mikes]

Get a solar powered one:

(solar powered in that it requires light to work)

[ChrisGreece52]

Get a solar powered one:

(solar powered in that it requires light to work)

That would not work because 1  i cant order from amazon.com (amazon does not ship to my country ) (at least thats what ive been told) and second : my mailbox is not like a regular one (regular in america i mean)
it looks something like this
http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00JeREMUbsrBqC/Steel-Mailbox.jpg

[ChrisGreece52]

You just need a flip flop, 2 led, a foto diode or a fototransistor and some cables.

Just use the flip flop with enable low, use the sensor to set the led hight and a button to set it low with asincronous inputs.

I have googled flip flops and its very interesting ... ill give it a look

[ChrisGreece52]

Maybe this is needed?

That looks neat and simple (which is a big deal for me ) but do i have to power it 24/7 or just add something else to make it work when i need it to work ....?

[mikes]

Is your mailbox near your doorbell? Can you just rig a microswitch to ring the doorbell when the slot in the mailbox is opened?

[ResR]

That looks neat and simple (which is a big deal for me ) but do i have to power it 24/7 or just add something else to make it work when i need it to work ....?

No you don't have to keep it on 24/7, it takes no damage from switched on and off frequently, a simple power cord with a switch to the power supply side is good enough, mate, that way if you turn it off, it has no power consumption (which is as little as 1 watt).

[ChrisGreece52]

Is your mailbox near your doorbell? Can you just rig a microswitch to ring the doorbell when the slot in the mailbox is opened?

No the bell is in the top of the staircase and the mailbox at the bottom ... i could run some wires but i would like a cable to go up to my balcon and then into my room so i can get the data into my room.

[ChrisGreece52]

That looks neat and simple (which is a big deal for me ) but do i have to power it 24/7 or just add something else to make it work when i need it to work ....?

No you don't have to keep it on 24/7, it takes no damage from switched on and off frequently, a simple power cord with a switch to the power supply side is good enough, mate, that way if you turn it off, it has no power consumption (which is as little as 1 watt).

Can i just provide 12 volt 0.5 amp DC to run the circuit ... Nevermind ill just buy one adapter 230ac to 12 1 amp dc!!!

[GK]

Just order the missus to check the mail box instead.

[vk6zgo]

Get a wireless doorbell (with a different chime to your real doorbell),rig up some type of switch to operate the transmitter end,keep the receiver wherever you like.

[ChrisGreece52]

Get a wireless doorbell (with a different chime to your real doorbell),rig up some type of switch to operate the transmitter end,keep the receiver wherever you like.

Thats a Great idea i have also thought again the idea about hooking up the circuit to my doorbell but it was too far from it .... and i have no way to get it into my room (no holes for wires to pass through) so my only way is going wireless....

[ChrisGreece52]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Wireless-IR-Sensor-Auto-Weclcome-Device-English-/270675171775?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f057f59bf
That is very cheap and i could easily hack it

[Harvs]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Wireless-IR-Sensor-Auto-Weclcome-Device-English-/270675171775?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f057f59bf
That is very cheap and i could easily hack it

It can bring happiness and friendship and intimacy to you and your dear friends

What more could you ask for?

[ChrisGreece52]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Wireless-IR-Sensor-Auto-Weclcome-Device-English-/270675171775?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f057f59bf
That is very cheap and i could easily hack it

It can bring happiness and friendship and intimacy to you and your dear friends

What more could you ask for?

Right ill seek it a bit more and answer back.

[ChrisGreece52]

But the IR sensor and the speaker are imbeded into the device....  i need something to work like this
Mailbox+Sensor -------------------Wireless Transmiter          Wireless Reciever in my room.