Cheap way to PC read 12v signals?

Hello all,

Is there any cheap way to the carpc read 12v signals from the car?

What I want to do is make carpc aware of 4 or 6 signals in the car, like doors open, 4x4 mode, headlights one, etc. is there any cheap way?

I was thinking in using a serial to usb adapter, but how wire the serial to the 12v peripherals? And how about the software ?

Thanks for any help!
Osvaldo

Have a look at arduino's. Pretty cheap mictrocontrollers that you can program to read digital signals. That's what im using but atm its not complete.

http://www.arduino.cc/

More google searches will reveal alot more and its pretty easy to learn.

I believe there are even optoisolation shields for the arduino, so you can plug 12v signals right in.

Rather than serial - maybe a USB to (bidirectional) parallel interface.
That'll take at least 8 inputs, plus the handshakers (another 2-4 lines?).
Else use the 8 data to encode 63 inputs....

I've seen para2USB for $10 upwards, but their RRP is usually ~$30-$70 hence making Arduino attractive.
The Arduino Duemilanove has 6 analog & 14 digital I/O ports (and USB interface)...
That's probably the way to go,

Bought one brain fusion to test (bought a semi defective one for us$ 20 + s&h). lets see what can they do.

Thanks for the info!

there is also the usb io box from mitch with 4 input and 4 relays

well, let me see:tune:

having the arduino and the mjs-io's. arduino's are amazing but harder to set up and integrate. mitch's device is uber simple and work so well with RR.