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#1
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for my
mailbox. Here's the situation. * It's a custom mailbox, basically a door cemented in a pillar of concrete * It just has a square metal door with a brass inside latch (all metal) * It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot * So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there * It doesn't even have one of those little red (manual) flags * There isn't 120v lighting but landscape lighting is only a foot away I wonder if technology can help me? It would be nice if there was a way to mount an external LED such that an internal light sensor activates it to indicate mail in the mailbox. Any pointers? |
#2
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
"Judy Zappacosta" wrote in message ... I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for my mailbox. Here's the situation. * It's a custom mailbox, basically a door cemented in a pillar of concrete * It just has a square metal door with a brass inside latch (all metal) * It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot * So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there * It doesn't even have one of those little red (manual) flags * There isn't 120v lighting but landscape lighting is only a foot away I wonder if technology can help me? It would be nice if there was a way to mount an external LED such that an internal light sensor activates it to indicate mail in the mailbox. Any pointers? Put on one of those little red (manual) flags. Leave it up, when it's down, there's MAIL. Sorry, could'nt resist. |
#3
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
"Lefty" wrote in
et: "Judy Zappacosta" wrote in message ... I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for my mailbox. Here's the situation. * It's a custom mailbox, basically a door cemented in a pillar of concrete * It just has a square metal door with a brass inside latch (all metal) * It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot * So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there * It doesn't even have one of those little red (manual) flags * There isn't 120v lighting but landscape lighting is only a foot away I wonder if technology can help me? It would be nice if there was a way to mount an external LED such that an internal light sensor activates it to indicate mail in the mailbox. Any pointers? Put on one of those little red (manual) flags. Leave it up, when it's down, there's MAIL. Sorry, could'nt resist. an indicator would be a great help to mail thieves,too. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at localnet dot com |
#4
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
Mail thieves would never think to follow the mail
truck at a distance, or something tacky like that. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Jim Yanik" wrote in message 4... an indicator would be a great help to mail thieves,too. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at localnet dot com |
#5
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
In article , "Stormin Mormon" wrote:
Mail thieves would never think to follow the mail truck at a distance, or something tacky like that. When are you going to fix your newsreader configuration so it puts your sig at the bottom where it belongs? |
#6
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
Lefty wrote:
"Judy Zappacosta" wrote in message ... I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for my mailbox. Here's the situation. * It's a custom mailbox, basically a door cemented in a pillar of concrete * It just has a square metal door with a brass inside latch (all metal) * It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot * So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there * It doesn't even have one of those little red (manual) flags * There isn't 120v lighting but landscape lighting is only a foot away I wonder if technology can help me? It would be nice if there was a way to mount an external LED such that an internal light sensor activates it to indicate mail in the mailbox. Any pointers? Put on one of those little red (manual) flags. Leave it up, when it's down, there's MAIL. Sorry, could'nt resist. Unless you have outgoing mail, or get mail coming EVERY day, that will **** off your delivery driver. The good ones stop at all raised flags, and if there is no mail waiting, and they have nothing to deliver, that is wasted time for them. -- aem sends... |
#7
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
Judy Zappacosta wrote
in : I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for my mailbox. Here's the situation. * It's a custom mailbox, basically a door cemented in a pillar of concrete * It just has a square metal door with a brass inside latch (all metal) * It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot * So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there * It doesn't even have one of those little red (manual) flags * There isn't 120v lighting but landscape lighting is only a foot away I wonder if technology can help me? It would be nice if there was a way to mount an external LED such that an internal light sensor activates it to indicate mail in the mailbox. Any pointers? You would still have to open the door but have you considered a stick on mirror on the top of the inside? |
#8
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:51:08 -0600, Red Green wrote:
have you considered a stick on mirror on the top of the inside? That's a GREAT idea ... worth a try. I had not thought of that. This is the kind of idea I was hoping to find by asking the question. I haven't read all the responses yet so we'll see what else comes up. I can imagine whatever we come up with here will be generally useful to anyone who can't see "into" the mailbox from their car. |
#9
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
Judy Zappacosta wrote:
I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for my mailbox. Here's the situation. * It's a custom mailbox, basically a door cemented in a pillar of concrete * It just has a square metal door with a brass inside latch (all metal) * It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot * So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there * It doesn't even have one of those little red (manual) flags * There isn't 120v lighting but landscape lighting is only a foot away I wonder if technology can help me? It would be nice if there was a way to mount an external LED such that an internal light sensor activates it to indicate mail in the mailbox. Any pointers? First, the postal service may stop delivering mail if your box doesn't have a red flag. The flag directs the person-person (used to be mailman) to pick up outgoing mail. Second, there are distance from the ground requirements. The old requirement was 41-45" from the ground. The new requirement (~Jan 2005) is that the height be approved by the local postmaster. If you're in the 42" range you should be okay. Having gotten this far, check the mailboxes at your local box store. There's an easy way to add a small flag to the box such that the flag goes up when the door is opened and you can discover the trick by looking at the display models. |
#10
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Feb 12, 11:01*am, "HeyBub" wrote:
Judy Zappacosta wrote: I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for my mailbox. Here's the situation. * It's a custom mailbox, basically a door cemented in a pillar of concrete * It just has a square metal door with a brass inside latch (all metal) * It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot * So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there * It doesn't even have one of those little red (manual) flags * There isn't 120v lighting but landscape lighting is only a foot away I wonder if technology can help me? It would be nice if there was a way to mount an external LED such that an internal light sensor activates it to indicate mail in the mailbox. Any pointers? First, the postal service may stop delivering mail if your box doesn't have a red flag. The flag directs the person-person (used to be mailman) to pick up outgoing mail. Second, there are distance from the ground requirements. The old requirement was 41-45" from the ground. The new requirement (~Jan 2005) is that the height be approved by the local postmaster. If you're in the 42" range you should be okay. Having gotten this far, check the mailboxes at your local box store. There's an easy way to add a small flag to the box such that the flag goes up when the door is opened and you can discover the trick by looking at the display models.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - First, the postal service may stop delivering mail if your box doesn't have a red flag. The flag directs the person-person (used to be mailman) to pick up outgoing mail. "...the postal service may stop delivering mail if your box doesn't have a red flag. The flag directs the person-person (used to be mailman) to pick up outgoing mail. " I'm not arguing as much as I'm questioning the logic here. Why would the person-person stop *delivering* mail just because he didn't know if the customer had any mail to be picked-up? On days when there is nothing to be picked up (s)he's still obligated to deliver what's in the bag. It's the customer who may lose out if they have something to be picked up and don't have a flag. If the person-person doesn't have anything to deliver on that, they'll just drive on by and not pick up what's in the box. However, if they have something to deliver, they have to stop, flag or not. |
#11
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
DerbyDad03 wrote:
"...the postal service may stop delivering mail if your box doesn't have a red flag. The flag directs the person-person (used to be mailman) to pick up outgoing mail. " I'm not arguing as much as I'm questioning the logic here. Why would the person-person stop *delivering* mail just because he didn't know if the customer had any mail to be picked-up? On days when there is nothing to be picked up (s)he's still obligated to deliver what's in the bag. If the box doesn't have a flag, the box doesn't conform to government regulations. If the box is non-conforming, the postal service may decline to service it. In reality, it's just one more reason the postal service may get on your case. ("It's too high off the ground, it doesn't have a flag, it is not lockable, it's painted the wrong color, and made of unapproved material, and we don't like the dog much either!") |
#12
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Feb 12, 1:19*pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote: "...the postal service may stop delivering mail if your box doesn't have a red flag. The flag directs the person-person (used to be mailman) to pick up outgoing mail. " I'm not arguing as much as I'm questioning the logic here. Why would the person-person stop *delivering* mail just because he didn't know if the customer had any mail to be picked-up? On days when there is nothing to be picked up (s)he's still obligated to deliver what's in the bag. If the box doesn't have a flag, the box doesn't conform to government regulations. If the box is non-conforming, the postal service may decline to service it. In reality, it's just one more reason the postal service may get on your case. ("It's too high off the ground, it doesn't have a flag, it is not lockable, it's painted the wrong color, and made of unapproved material, and we don't like the dog much either!") "If the box doesn't have a flag, the box doesn't conform to government regulations." Having never read the regs, I certainly won't doubt what you're saying. Of course, I live in an area where *nobody* has flags. Our mail boxes are at the houses and there is basically no conformance of any kind. My neighbor's is a mail slot next to the garage door, mail drops into a box. Mine is a black metal box hanging on the wall next to my front door. The neighbor on the other side has a wooden box on her porch that says "Male" on it. (really!) The entire neighborhood is a mixture of just about every type of receptacle you can think of, *except* for boxes on posts with flags. If I have something for Dave (the carrier) to pick up, I stand it "vertically" in the mail box so he knows it's there. I also shovel a path across my front yard so he can get through the snow from my neighbor's house and I tip him nicely when he wipes off my seat at the local AAA baseball stadium. Nice guy. Been my mailman for 25 years, seen my family go through good times and bad, and always has time for conversation or a quick joke. |
#13
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:45:18 -0800 (PST), DerbyDad03 wrote:
I live in an area where *nobody* has flags. Our mail boxes are at the houses and there is basically no conformance of any kind. I used to live in a place like that. Nobody had flags. Some had mail slots in the garage door. Others had a black plastic mailbox next to the front door on the outside wall. None had flags. What we used to do was use one of those black office clips to clip outgoing mail on the OUTSIDE of the mailbox so that the postperson knew there was mail. In reality it didn't work well becausae if they didn't have any mail, they never even looked to see if we had mail waiting for them so we gave up eventually and put outgoing mail only in the blue boxes on the street. |
#14
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:45:18 -0800 (PST), DerbyDad03 wrote:
The entire neighborhood is a mixture of just about every type of receptacle you can think of, *except* for boxes on posts with flags. When I google for a similar mailbox as mine, I find plenty of the type I have that do NOT have any flag. This one, for example, looks kind of like mine (but I don't have a lock on mine): http://www.mailboxnet.com/column_mai...pillar_600.jpg It's all metal so anything that indicates mail inside can't be purely on an electrical circuit. |
#15
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:19:06 -0600, HeyBub wrote:
If the box doesn't have a flag, the box doesn't conform to government regulations. If the box is non-conforming, the postal service may decline to service it. They deliver my mail fine. I never put outgoing mail in the mailbox to be taken. So, I can live without the red flag (although it would be nice to have one). I went to Lowes today to look again for just the red flag but they don't sell it standalone. But the more important thing is to figure out how I can tell if mail is inside the mailbox. I was thinking something like the little red light that is on the garage door. If that beam is broken, there's an indicator that turns on outside. Seems like a general enough request that others would have resolved it by now. Or, does everyone always look in their mailbox every day even when there's no mail inside? |
#16
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
"Judy Zappacosta" wrote in message But the more important thing is to figure out how I can tell if mail is inside the mailbox. Get a Rubbermaid mailbox. I has a yellow flag on a lever that pops up on the side when the door is opened. Easily spotted from in the house 100 feet away. After dark I can shine a bright light o see if it is up. |
#17
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:02:41 +0000 (UTC), Judy Zappacosta
wrote: On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:19:06 -0600, HeyBub wrote: If the box doesn't have a flag, the box doesn't conform to government regulations. If the box is non-conforming, the postal service may decline to service it. They deliver my mail fine. I never put outgoing mail in the mailbox to be taken. So, I can live without the red flag (although it would be nice to have one). I went to Lowes today to look again for just the red flag but they don't sell it standalone. But the more important thing is to figure out how I can tell if mail is inside the mailbox. I was thinking something like the little red light that is on the garage door. If that beam is broken, there's an indicator that turns on outside. Seems like a general enough request that others would have resolved it by now. Or, does everyone always look in their mailbox every day even when there's no mail inside? You might want to go to this Google search results link. Seems to have the info you desire. http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...lbox+indicator |
#18
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:02:41 +0000 (UTC), Judy Zappacosta
wrote: [snip] Seems like a general enough request that others would have resolved it by now. Or, does everyone always look in their mailbox every day even when there's no mail inside? That is often look inside SEVERAL TIMES a day, since you don't always know the carrier's gone when there's no mail in the box. -- Mark Lloyd http://notstupid.us "How could you ask me to believe in God when there's absolutely no evidence that I can see?" -- Jodie Foster |
#19
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:02:41 +0000 (UTC), Judy Zappacosta
wrote: On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:19:06 -0600, HeyBub wrote: If the box doesn't have a flag, the box doesn't conform to government regulations. If the box is non-conforming, the postal service may decline to service it. They deliver my mail fine. I never put outgoing mail in the mailbox to be taken. So, I can live without the red flag (although it would be nice to have one). I went to Lowes today to look again for just the red flag but they don't sell it standalone. But the more important thing is to figure out how I can tell if mail is inside the mailbox. I was thinking something like the little red light that is on the garage door. If that beam is broken, there's an indicator that turns on outside. Seems like a general enough request that others would have resolved it by now. Or, does everyone always look in their mailbox every day even when there's no mail inside? The red flag will only tell you the mail vehicle passed by but would not indicate if the box were empty or not. My mother used a small plastic ornament tied to the mailbox door handle using a 12" string. To close the door take up 8" of string and push it between the latch as you close the mailbox door. The weight falls when the door is opened by the postmaster to complete delivery. I guess you can call it a Gravity Powered Indicator (GPI). |
#20
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:19:06 -0600, "HeyBub"
wrote: [snip] If the box doesn't have a flag, the box doesn't conform to government regulations. If the box is non-conforming, the postal service may decline to service it. In reality, it's just one more reason the postal service may get on your case. ("It's too high off the ground, it doesn't have a flag, it is not lockable, it's painted the wrong color, and made of unapproved material, and we don't like the dog much either!") Homeowner planted flowers too close to mailbox, and postal carrier allergic to bees. |
#21
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Feb 12, 1:19*pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote: "...the postal service may stop delivering mail if your box doesn't have a red flag. The flag directs the person-person (used to be mailman) to pick up outgoing mail. " I'm not arguing as much as I'm questioning the logic here. Why would the person-person stop *delivering* mail just because he didn't know if the customer had any mail to be picked-up? On days when there is nothing to be picked up (s)he's still obligated to deliver what's in the bag. If the box doesn't have a flag, the box doesn't conform to government regulations. If the box is non-conforming, the postal service may decline to service it. What about all of those mail boxes that are attached to the wall beside the front door? What about those people that still use a mailslot in their front doors? Give me a break. |
#22
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:44:37 -0800 (PST), Ron
wrote: On Feb 12, 1:19*pm, "HeyBub" wrote: DerbyDad03 wrote: "...the postal service may stop delivering mail if your box doesn't have a red flag. The flag directs the person-person (used to be mailman) to pick up outgoing mail. " I'm not arguing as much as I'm questioning the logic here. Why would the person-person stop *delivering* mail just because he didn't know if the customer had any mail to be picked-up? On days when there is nothing to be picked up (s)he's still obligated to deliver what's in the bag. If the box doesn't have a flag, the box doesn't conform to government regulations. If the box is non-conforming, the postal service may decline to service it. What about all of those mail boxes that are attached to the wall beside the front door? What about those people that still use a mailslot in their front doors? Give me a break. Those are clearly a separate issue. The fact is that the specifications for mail boxes are pretty strict. They are not required to deliver to a non-conforming box, whether it be on the house, by the road, or in a common area. |
#23
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
"HeyBub" wrote:
Judy Zappacosta wrote: I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for my mailbox. -snip- First, the postal service may stop delivering mail if your box doesn't have a red flag. The flag directs the person-person (used to be mailman) to pick up outgoing mail. My post office won't stop unless there is mail to be delivered. [which is every day- so no inconvenience for me]. On my box, the flag is just a courtesy to the mailman so he is ready to drag the mail out, before he throws the mail in. -snip- Having gotten this far, check the mailboxes at your local box store. There's an easy way to add a small flag to the box such that the flag goes up when the door is opened and you can discover the trick by looking at the display models. That's on my rubbermaid box-- pretty simple. I've also had the 'yellow ball in a eye-bolt' deal on my mailbox. When the door is opened it drops the ball. I think I liked it better-- but it might just be that my eyes aren't as good as they were then -- I have a hard time seeing the little door-flag from the house. Here's another style; http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/a...signal-reviews Jim |
#24
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
Popular Mechanics had such a trick, about forty
years ago. The trick was to put a weighted flag on the blind side of the box. When the driver opens the box, the bottom weight pulls the flag vertical. Of course you have to reset this after you get your mail out. Not much use in freezing weather. One other variation was the button inside the box, wired to a buzzer in the house. Or, low voltage door bell that bing bongs when you mailbox door is opened. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "HeyBub" wrote in message m... Having gotten this far, check the mailboxes at your local box store. There's an easy way to add a small flag to the box such that the flag goes up when the door is opened and you can discover the trick by looking at the display models. |
#25
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
In article , "Stormin Mormon" wrote:
Popular Mechanics had such a trick, about forty years ago. The trick was to put a weighted flag on the blind side of the box. When the driver opens the box, the bottom weight pulls the flag vertical. Of course you have to reset this after you get your mail out. Not much use in freezing weather. One other variation was the button inside the box, wired to a buzzer in the house. Or, low voltage door bell that bing bongs when you mailbox door is opened. When are you going to fix your newsreader configuration so it puts your sig at the bottom where it belongs? |
#26
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
Doug Miller wrote:
In article , "Stormin Mormon" wrote: Popular Mechanics had such a trick, about forty years ago. The trick was to put a weighted flag on the blind side of the box. When the driver opens the box, the bottom weight pulls the flag vertical. Of course you have to reset this after you get your mail out. Not much use in freezing weather. One other variation was the button inside the box, wired to a buzzer in the house. Or, low voltage door bell that bing bongs when you mailbox door is opened. When are you going to fix your newsreader configuration so it puts your sig at the bottom where it belongs? He's above us all. Everyone else is supposed to change to his way. |
#27
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
Judy Zappacosta wrote:
I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for my mailbox. Here's the situation. * It's a custom mailbox, basically a door cemented in a pillar of concrete * It just has a square metal door with a brass inside latch (all metal) * It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot * So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there * It doesn't even have one of those little red (manual) flags * There isn't 120v lighting but landscape lighting is only a foot away I wonder if technology can help me? It would be nice if there was a way to mount an external LED such that an internal light sensor activates it to indicate mail in the mailbox. Any pointers? If not a flag, then a motion sensor wired to small light on the front down where you can see it. Put a lens over the light so it looks like a reflector. Or make the light a little down light from landscape lighting. |
#28
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
I think you can find sliding trays for mailboxes so you don't have to
reach in.... you can pull the mail to you. It wouldn't be hard to fashion your own. So um, why don't you walk up to your mailbox? You rest, you rust. |
#29
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:17:57 +0000 (UTC), Judy Zappacosta
wrote Re Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside: * It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot * So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there Wow! Suppose someone puts a rattle snake in there during the summer and you stick you hand in there without looking!!! I saw it in a movie once. -- Work is the curse of the drinking class. |
#30
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:17:57 +0000, Judy Zappacosta wrote:
I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for my mailbox. Here's the situation. * It's a custom mailbox, basically a door cemented in a pillar of concrete * It just has a square metal door with a brass inside latch (all metal) * It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot * So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there * It doesn't even have one of those little red (manual) flags * There isn't 120v lighting but landscape lighting is only a foot away I wonder if technology can help me? It would be nice if there was a way to mount an external LED such that an internal light sensor activates it to indicate mail in the mailbox. Any pointers? Discription below each picture. I have posted the how to before but these pictures should help. http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...1265995120.jpg http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...1265995119.jpg http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...1265995118.jpg http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...1265995116.jpg http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...1265995117.jpg |
#31
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
RLM wrote in
: On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:17:57 +0000, Judy Zappacosta wrote: I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for my mailbox. Here's the situation. * It's a custom mailbox, basically a door cemented in a pillar of concrete * It just has a square metal door with a brass inside latch (all metal) * It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot * So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there * It doesn't even have one of those little red (manual) flags * There isn't 120v lighting but landscape lighting is only a foot away I wonder if technology can help me? It would be nice if there was a way to mount an external LED such that an internal light sensor activates it to indicate mail in the mailbox. Any pointers? Discription below each picture. I have posted the how to before but these pictures should help. http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...on=view¤ t=1265995120.jpg http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...on=view¤ t=1265995119.jpg http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...on=view¤ t=1265995118.jpg http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...on=view¤ t=1265995116.jpg http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...on=view¤ t=1265995117.jpg Cool. |
#32
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:54:58 -0500, RLM wrote:
-snip- Discription below each picture. I have posted the how to before but these pictures should help. http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...1265995120.jpg http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...1265995119.jpg http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...1265995118.jpg http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...1265995116.jpg http://s370.photobucket.com/albums/o...1265995117.jpg Well done. It also has the advantage of not being a notice to bad guys driving by that you've got mail. Jim |
#33
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
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#34
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Sat, 13 Feb 2010 10:26:22 -0600, tom wrote:
http://www.mahvelousmailboxes.com/ma...ail_alerts.htm I already had the parts but I doubt you could spend a dollar for everything if you didn't have something. The fishing float could be replaced with something bright in color that is visible from the house. Piece of bright red ribbon or red plastic tag for example. What ever you use as an indicator, it is visible on the rear, behind the box toward the house. Even if your box is at the end of a long driveway you can tell if it is at the top or bottom. I'm cheap. |
#35
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Feb 13, 11:26*am, "tom" wrote:
http://www.mahvelousmailboxes.com/ma...ail_alerts.htm The "rules" related to this item make me a bit skeptical: http://www.mahvelousmailboxes.com/ma...mail_alert.htm From the web page: (This is a non-returnable item-which means that if it's defective, and you have read and understand how it's intended to operate, you will be sent a replacment from the manufacturer, and in no case will be refunded any money or credit). |
#36
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
"Judy Zappacosta" wrote in message ... I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for my mailbox. Here's the situation. * It's a custom mailbox, basically a door cemented in a pillar of concrete * It just has a square metal door with a brass inside latch (all metal) * It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot * So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there * It doesn't even have one of those little red (manual) flags * There isn't 120v lighting but landscape lighting is only a foot away I wonder if technology can help me? It would be nice if there was a way to mount an external LED such that an internal light sensor activates it to indicate mail in the mailbox. Any pointers? I'd use a spring switch with a top plate that covers the bottom of the mailbox. Make sure the spring is strong enough to hold the plate up but any additonal weight will trip it. Use a battery to light the led, put the switch in between the led and battery. When there is mail, it will trip the switch and light the LED. When you remove it, the spring will will push the plate up and it will go off. You'll probably need a resistor between the battery and LED depending on what type of LED you use. HTH Matt |
#37
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
Matt Williamson wrote:
I'd use a spring switch with a top plate that covers the bottom of the mailbox. Make sure the spring is strong enough to hold the plate up but any additonal weight will trip it. Use a battery to light the led, put the switch in between the led and battery. When there is mail, it will trip the switch and light the LED. When you remove it, the spring will will push the plate up and it will go off. You'll probably need a resistor between the battery and LED depending on what type of LED you use. Ohhh! That triggered an idea! Get one of those spring snakes you find in trick boxes of peanuts and jam it in the box. When the (presumably) female mailman opens the box, the high-pitched scream will alert you to a delivery. |
#38
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:22:11 -0600, "HeyBub"
wrote: Matt Williamson wrote: I'd use a spring switch with a top plate that covers the bottom of the mailbox. Make sure the spring is strong enough to hold the plate up but any additonal weight will trip it. Use a battery to light the led, put the switch in between the led and battery. When there is mail, it will trip the switch and light the LED. When you remove it, the spring will will push the plate up and it will go off. You'll probably need a resistor between the battery and LED depending on what type of LED you use. Ohhh! That triggered an idea! Get one of those spring snakes you find in trick boxes of peanuts and jam it in the box. When the (presumably) female mailman opens the box, the high-pitched scream will alert you to a delivery. My neighbors put a cat in a mailbox once. They said it jumped into the mail car when the mailman opened the box. |
#39
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
Metspitzer wrote in
: On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:22:11 -0600, "HeyBub" wrote: Matt Williamson wrote: I'd use a spring switch with a top plate that covers the bottom of the mailbox. Make sure the spring is strong enough to hold the plate up but any additonal weight will trip it. Use a battery to light the led, put the switch in between the led and battery. When there is mail, it will trip the switch and light the LED. When you remove it, the spring will will push the plate up and it will go off. You'll probably need a resistor between the battery and LED depending on what type of LED you use. Ohhh! That triggered an idea! Get one of those spring snakes you find in trick boxes of peanuts and jam it in the box. When the (presumably) female mailman opens the box, the high-pitched scream will alert you to a delivery. My neighbors put a cat in a mailbox once. They said it jumped into the mail car when the mailman opened the box. your neighbors are animal abusers. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at localnet dot com |
#40
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Need indicator light in the mailbox to see if anything is inside
On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:20:07 -0600, Jim Yanik
wrote: Metspitzer wrote in : On Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:22:11 -0600, "HeyBub" wrote: Matt Williamson wrote: I'd use a spring switch with a top plate that covers the bottom of the mailbox. Make sure the spring is strong enough to hold the plate up but any additonal weight will trip it. Use a battery to light the led, put the switch in between the led and battery. When there is mail, it will trip the switch and light the LED. When you remove it, the spring will will push the plate up and it will go off. You'll probably need a resistor between the battery and LED depending on what type of LED you use. Ohhh! That triggered an idea! Get one of those spring snakes you find in trick boxes of peanuts and jam it in the box. When the (presumably) female mailman opens the box, the high-pitched scream will alert you to a delivery. My neighbors put a cat in a mailbox once. They said it jumped into the mail car when the mailman opened the box. your neighbors are animal abusers. They were some pretty mean kids. Thankfully, neither one turned out to be a serial killer. At least I don't think they did. |
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