Serial or USB control of Relays

Thu Nov 23, 2006 3:27 pm   

Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask but...

I program in VB, and I'd love to start mucking about with controlling things
in the "real" world.

Could anyone give me any clues where I might find a project (or kit to buy)
to do some basic stuff? I'd just like to get a couple of relays moving from
some code to start with...

Cheers!

Thu Nov 23, 2006 5:25 pm   

this is what you want.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-PC-Interface-25Digital-IO-ADC-PWM-Robot-Hobby-Ind_W0QQitemZ320052423671QQihZ011QQcategoryZ36332QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


"Marcus Redd" <read_at_it.com> wrote in message
news:4565afd5$0$6539$9a6e19ea_at_unlimited.newshosting.com...

Thu Nov 23, 2006 5:43 pm   

I recently needed to couple Visual basic programs through a USB port
instead of serial port.

I bought a LINX "USB Master Development System", about $150.

It has a USB to Serial RS232 module, a micro and small area for a
custom circuit. I found it very helpful in converting my VB programs to
work through the USB port.

Hope this helps




Marcus Redd Wrote:




--
Mel Teare

Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:46 pm   

"Marcus Redd" <read_at_it.com> wrote in message
news:4565afd5$0$6539$9a6e19ea_at_unlimited.newshosting.com...

To answer my own question, I've made good progress with this.

I grabbed the stuff from this site to make things happen on the printer
port:
http://www.logix4u.net/inpout32.htm

I then made up circuit C from this website:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Bill_Bowden/page6.htm

My next step is to aquire some solenoids and either replace the 12v relay
with one or add another loop with the relay as the control switch.

Great fun!

Thanks to the other guys who offered suggestions.