USB Controlled Relay Board or general output

2k1Toaster · 02-05-2007, 01:45 PM

Alright. I am building myself a USB controlled board that will allow me to control a number of outputs.

I was then thinking how Red wanted to control all her LED's and I though, "self, why not make it both a relay/general purpose board that can be programmed to be dynamic with light shows and such". I was doing this for other reasons, but I only need a few relays controlled.

I guess what I would like to ask is this:

Is anybody else interested in a USB controlled relay board? If so how many relays or general outputs would you like? Would you want the relays themselves included (because they are very pricey in the grand scheme of things)?

I ask because I can get away with my project with around 4 or 5. Now some people might want more.

I can have either 1 to 8 outputs with a very simple board design.
I can have between 1 and 32 with a relatively simple design.
I can have 1 to 96 with a relatively difficult design.

So, how much stuff do you need control over if anybody is even interested in this?

I saw a few threads started about people making relay boards, and I saw a few completed ones, but I want my own! Does anybody else want one too?

Prpapi4ver · 02-05-2007, 02:15 PM

i would also like a relay control board to control my led, neon etc etc but im most interested in a 1-32 relay. count me in if you make any extras............

RedGTiVR6 · 02-05-2007, 02:17 PM

2k1Toaster · 02-05-2007, 02:18 PM

Well I will definately have the stuff to make extras! It was almost the same price to order 100-150 of the different chips I needed in a big reel, then the individual IC chips. So guess what?

I have about 600 IC's sitting on my doorstep right now, and I will only be using a few of them!

So prpapi4ever, would you prefer the relays included and soldered onto the board or just a connector so that you can buy your own relay and solder it that way?

Or maybe 4-8 onboard and the rest as connectors for you to add when you want?

EDIT: Didn't see you Red, you want 32 as well? Same ?'s from above. Onboard/Conenctors?

Zip-Lock · 02-05-2007, 02:21 PM

Have you looked at Arduino? http://www.arduino.cc/en/

Quote:

The Arduino board is a cheap, robust i/o board based on the ATmega8. It has 13 digital pins (3 of which allow PWM output) and 6 analog inputs. There are USB and serial versions, which you can buy or build yourself.

Costs about $32 from SparkFun http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...roducts_id=666

Quote:

Arduino can be used to develop interactive objects, taking inputs from a variety of switches or sensors, and controlling a variety of lights, motors, and other outputs. Arduino projects can be stand-alone, or they can be communicate with software running on your computer ... the open-source IDE can be downloaded for free.

2k1Toaster · 02-05-2007, 02:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Zip-Lock

Have you looked at Arduino? http://www.arduino.cc/en/

Costs about $32 from SparkFun http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...roducts_id=666

Looks nice. I haven't seen it before... Looks nicer than something I'd be able to hack together probably.

Without a proper PCB that is.

Well, I have all these parts now, so I will build at least 1 for myself. Just wondering if anybody else would like to help out a starving university student?!

RedGTiVR6 · 02-05-2007, 02:25 PM

I think a few onboard would be cool, but not all of em.

my biggest issue with stuff like this is I don't know how to code so trying to write the code to control something like this would be pretty difficult for me....haha

Prpapi4ver · 02-05-2007, 02:28 PM

i would like 15 already done and the rest i can do some other time

2k1Toaster · 02-05-2007, 02:34 PM

15 relays already on board? Ok. Relays are expensive though...

And do you need high amperage ones? Or medium, or low?

LED's and such could go on a smaller one probably.

Maybe 4 smaller ones like (1A or 2A ouptput) and the rest high output?

What about 8 relays on board. I like binary!

Or 16...

durwood · 02-05-2007, 03:25 PM

I Like binary too. hehehe. I need one to turn on/off speaker outputs after the computer boots up and before the computer shuts down. I could do it with regular relays but it gets ugly with 6-8 standard relays wired up. I think I would need some higher current relays. How much do you think for a board with 6 relays?

2k1Toaster · 02-05-2007, 11:36 PM

I am not sure about the pricing. I would like to get some feedback on that.

What is a fair price for you guys. Let's assume 2 versions. 1 with 8 relays, 1 with 16.

2k1Toaster · 02-05-2007, 11:39 PM

And just so you get an idea on what I have to solder:

e30_droptop · 02-06-2007, 12:01 AM

When you solder each side of the chip just slather one side with alot of flux and then tin your iron. Slide the freshly tinned iron with solder upon it perpendicular to the pins and it will do one entire side of the pins in one fell swoop.

2k1Toaster · 02-06-2007, 12:04 AM

Yeah I have heard of that working, but last time I tried it that way, it all just bunched up. I spent quite a while undoing that. I have not soldered many surface mount components.

RedGTiVR6 · 02-06-2007, 08:37 AM

just a tip that might be useful in the future: http://www.radioshack.com/sm-45-watt...i-2062731.html

That's what I used when I desoldered the jacks on my sound card. I've also used to to correct some mistakes and to clean up some solder joints. Might be useful for you in this instance.

As for price, I'll say that it should be roughly the same as others avaliable if possible.