[BC] optically-coupled tower light monitor

[Jerry Mathis]

On Wed, Jun 13, 2012 at 11:12 PM, Michael Patton <tech at michaelpatton.com> wrote:
>Folks, I need an off-the-shelf system for coupling 3 or so relay
>closures <snip>
>and connects via a fiber across the base insulator into the building,
>talking to an "other end", also in a small box, that will give me relays
>or O.C. closures that I can hook up to my Gentner R/C unit. 

>I'm betting that someone makes this, off-the-shelf, for a reasonable
>price.  A quick Google search did not bear obvious fruit.  Anyone got
>any experience?

>--
>Mike Patton, owner, Michael Patton&  Assoc.

I don't find anything "OTS" (Off The Shelf) either, but, I found a number of inexpensive and easy-to-use components (optical emitters and detectors) that will couple easily to fiber optic cable without fancy connectors and expensive tools, that could be used to "roll your own" optical coupling system. Found these at Digi-Key. They are designed for data transmission, but it appears they could easily be used at the DC level.

--
Jerry Mathis