Using Wiim Pro Plus timer to trigger other devices

Raphaz

Raphaz

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I recently purchased a Wiim Pro+ - so far pretty happy with it. I currently use it as a streamer/DAC. The Wiim’s RCA outs are connected to a vintage receiver.
I’d like to use the Wiim’s wake-up/sleep timer but don’t want to have the receiver on all the time - ideally the receiver would turn on/off automatically when the Wiim does.

I suppose I could use a simple analog or digital outlet timer and time that and the Wiim separately to the same schedule? Seems complicated though.

I googled for some sort of smart power plug that could sense when the Wii turns on and off and then triggers the receiver to do the same. Couldn’t find such a thing yet.

But I just came across the Emotiva ET-3. Would that do what I want? I’m not sure. Had anyone use it that way?

Do you know how else I could achieve this?

In any case, would that potentially bypass the receiver’s (for lack of better wording) “soft-power-on” or “protective power-on-delay”, and if so, should I be concerned about that?

Thank you in advance for sharing your advice and experience!
 
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That Emotiva ET3 only works with equipment that has 12v triggers, which neither the Wiim or your vintage receiver has. You may just have to turn them on individually.
 
So the ET3 is not an option.
Are there any smart power strips that sense if something comes on (in this case the Wiim) and then everything else on that strip turns on?
 
One possibility might be to see what the Wiim's SPDIF does when it's 'off'. It might be possible to sense the optical signal (a simple photodiode & RC filter activity detector) to control a power switch for the amp.

It would need the Wiim to turn off its optical SPDIF LED when 'asleep'.
 
Raphaz said:
So the ET3 is not an option.
Are there any smart power strips that sense if something comes on (in this case the Wiim) and then everything else on that strip turns on?
Click to expand...

There should be various brands and models available from places like Amazon, etc.
I have been successfully using multiple Belkin brand smart power strips on all 5 rooms of my house`s A/V systems for over 10 yrs. to turn on supporting electronics that would otherwise be powered up 24/7/365.

The power strips also seem to provide decent surge/spike protection, as well, but I plug them into a main more robust surge/spike protector that feeds the room`s other pieces of A/V equipment that doesn`t require smart power strip control.
 
Raphaz said:
I googled for some sort of smart power plug that could sense when the Wii turns on and off and then triggers the receiver to do the same
Click to expand...
You may find that the power difference between 'on' and 'off' for a 'smart' device like the Wiim may not be enough to trip a smart switch.
 
cpt_paranoia said:
You may find that the power difference between 'on' and 'off' for a 'smart' device like the Wiim may not be enough to trip a smart switch.
Click to expand...
That was a thought by me, being I have zero familiarity with any of Wiim product`s AC current consumption.
The setup`s power trigger hook up could be reversed with the receiver being the trigger connected equipment, if possible ?
 
I wanted the Wiiim to be the trigger because of its timer functions, and also because it will start to play the playlist I pick in advance.
If the Wiim is triggered to turn by an external device, it will just power on but won’t play. I think…
 
I find I need a remote for my DAC and a remote for my Amp. So I just use the remotes to power everything. Some out there still get up to adjust the volume. Oh the horror.
 
So maybe just a smart timer for the receiver, and the Wiim by itself programmed for the same time. I was hoping that there was an easier solution where the WIM timer triggers everything else.
I do have an old audio timer…
 
goodmore said:
I find I need a remote for my DAC and a remote for my Amp. So I just use the remotes to power everything. Some out there still get up to adjust the volume. Oh the horror.
Click to expand...
Yeah. Terrible first world problems we have, don’t we.
 
Get one of these, plug a power strip into it for more outlets, and turn everything on and off with the remote.
I use one on a second system and it works well. Amazon has it.

Fosmon WavePoint Wireless Remote Control Outdoor Electrical Outlet Switch Weatherproof Heavy Duty 3-Prong Plug-in ETL Listed (Battery Included) 1 Pack​

 
audiobliss said:
Get one of these, plug a power strip into it for more outlets, and turn everything on and off with the remote.
I use one on a second system and it works well. Amazon has it.

Fosmon WavePoint Wireless Remote Control Outdoor Electrical Outlet Switch Weatherproof Heavy Duty 3-Prong Plug-in ETL Listed (Battery Included) 1 Pack​

Click to expand...
Thank you. That’s nice.
Not exactly the convenience of a timer though - it would be nice to be woken up by a particular playlist, or to doze away knowing it will shut down.
 
The currency-difference of the Wiim in standby-mode vs. play-mode is (from what Google tells me) 150 mA in idle to 220 mA during playback – I don't know how accurate that is, what the Voltage-equivalent would be and if 70 mA is enough for one of these aforementioned master-controlled, currency-sensing smart power strips to be used as a trigger – information on these online are rather scarce when it comes to minimum-required voltage for the master-trigger.

I just read/realized though that the Wiim Pro Plus' have a 12 Volt trigger output (with a current rating of 220 mA), which is meant to be connected to an amp or receiver with a trigger input. But, as mentioned above, my receiver doesn't have the trigger-in. But I now wonder, if there are smart power strips that take can pick up that trigger signal – but then, how to get that trigger signal from the 2.5mm trigger-out on the Wiim to such a power-strip (usually they take the actual power adapter of the master device).

Not sure where to go from here.
 
Raphaz said:
I just read/realized though that the Wiim Pro Plus' have a 12 Volt trigger output (with a current rating of 220 mA)
Click to expand...
I had a vague recollection of a 'Trigger Out' port, but I could see no mention or picture of it on the Wiim website (which doesn't seem to have a decent picture of the rear panel, or a manual...). However, google comes to the rescue, and finds a description on the Wiim support pages:

faq.wiimhome.com

How to Use the 12V Trigger on WiiM Pro, WiiM Pro Plus, or WiiM Ultra?

TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview How the 12V Trigger Works Compatible 12V Trigger Connectors 12V Trigger Control Compatibility Issue and Workaround Tip: Enable Auto-Sensing for 12V Trigger Overview This tutorial will guide you through usin...
faq.wiimhome.com faq.wiimhome.com

You'd have to find a power switch that will take a 12V trigger. I have a bunch of opto-isolator switches I could deploy, bought decades ago...

Something like this:


I think I paid £2 each all those years ago, from a surplus outlet...
 
cpt_paranoia said:
I had a vague recollection of a 'Trigger Out' port, but I could see no mention or picture of it on the Wiim website (which doesn't seem to have a decent picture of the rear panel, or a manual...). However, google comes to the rescue, and finds a description on the Wiim support pages:

faq.wiimhome.com

How to Use the 12V Trigger on WiiM Pro, WiiM Pro Plus, or WiiM Ultra?

TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview How the 12V Trigger Works Compatible 12V Trigger Connectors 12V Trigger Control Compatibility Issue and Workaround Tip: Enable Auto-Sensing for 12V Trigger Overview This tutorial will guide you through usin...
faq.wiimhome.com faq.wiimhome.com

You'd have to find a power switch that will take a 12V trigger. I have a bunch of opto-isolator switches I could deploy, bought decades ago...

Something like this:


I think I paid £2 each all those years ago, from a surplus outlet...
Click to expand...
Oh, interesting! Thank you. I guess that’s what they call a relay switch? What exactly would I do with this? Would you trust a layman like me to set this up without setting the house on fire or breaking any of my precious gadgets?
 
I’m slightly disappointed that there are no smart power strips out there that can do this (without further tinkering) in this voltage range. Maybe not so smart after all.
But hey, maybe I just didn’t find it yet?! Seems like a market niche.

Meanwhile, my search terms seem to start hitting closer to home, maybe. While dwindling further down some googling world wild wonderland rabbit holes, I found these guys:

dlidirect.com

IoT Relay

Create the Internet of Things with safe, reliable power control. Universal control voltage 3-60VDC or 12-120VAC connects to Arduino, Raspberry Pi, PIC or other micro. Or connect directly to a 12V to 48VDC or even 120VAC circuits. High voltage wiring and safety hazards are eliminated. A single...
dlidirect.com dlidirect.com
and
www.av-iq.com

AC-3 | Voltage Triggered AC Power Strip | Niles | AV-iQ

Product information for Voltage Triggered AC Power Strip AC-3 manufactured by Niles. Provided by AV-iQ.
www.av-iq.com www.av-iq.com
.
With the above I’m assuming I’d plug one end of an audio 2.5mm into the trigger-out of the Wiim and strip the other end to stick two of the wires to the trigger in +/- ports of one of the above (links provided) devices? Would that work? And, how do I know which of the wires go where though?

I hope that, with a little instructive help here, I can get one of the above to work.
 
That IoT Relay looks to be suitable (assuming you're US-based with 110V AC); I like the 'logic level' control input, against the 100mA 12 for the AC-3. I also like the opto-isolation.

You need to find out how the Trigger Our is wired; I would guess that the 3.5mm plug is tip = signal, sleeve = 0V. So you would connect tip to +, and sleeve to - on that IoT control port. But measure the voltage from sleeve to tip to confirm that, or email Wiim for clarification.
 
Thank you!
Or I find a prepped wire that has the 3.5 mm on one end and is open in the other - if something like that exists.
What happens if I get the +/- wrong? Do I break something?
 
Last edited:
Raphaz said:
Or I find a prepped wire that
Click to expand...

Just get anything with a 3.5mm plug, and cut off the other end, and strip the wire. Or buy a bare 3.5mm plug, with solder terminals; they are certainly available.

Could you break something? Possibly, but I think it's unlikely, if you follow my advice above about measuring the output, or getting Wiim to confirm.
 
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