Recomendation for a relay board?

[lorddamax]

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I've been doing a lot of research into a serial or USB controlled relay board to control my props.

It HAS to be USB or serial, becauase I'm a programmer junkie and a control freak. I dont want to program a box, I want to directly control the relays.

Relays must handle minimum 3 amps as I'm running wiper motors with this.

Must have 6+ relays minimum.

Having inputs would be nice so I didnt have to rely on X10 motion sensors which are prone to just totally ignoring motion.

Must be priced well.

I've seen a few... found an 8 port relay for $96. Found an 8 port, with inputs, and USB (and a ton of other stuff I DONT need that jacks up the price) for like $144 (leaning towards that - theres an 8 port with inputs for $117 but it's serial, I'd prefer usb). Found a few others from 2 ports to 6 with other options, nothing having everything I want.

$144 for 8 ports with a bunch of inputs and options I dont need is a lot.

Can someone here recommend something? Maybe a website I've overlooked?

[Lynn]

I use a kit 74 board..... 8 relays. I use VSA to run the relays.

[lorddamax]

I use a kit 74 board..... 8 relays. I use VSA to run the relays.

No clue what VSA is. Google time.

[lorod]

lorddamax, just do a search in here for VSA and you will find alot of threads talking about VSA. That is what I did....it's very cool. For a software person like you, you will learn it fast.

Here is the shortcut for the company's website that make it: http://www.brookshiresoftware.com/

Enjoy

[lorddamax]

Aah! Ok I've already looked at that software when I was planning my bucky skull for its use with my mini ssc2 controller.

Very cool stuff.

That being said - I still need a good source for a relay board. And now that I've found a MP3 controller I may need a board that... oh hell... I'm not an electronics geek...

I know a relay can turn on/off current like a light switch. Can handle a big load. Whats the smaller version for small voltages? Is it transistors? I know those are smaller and cheap to build... I need something that can handle a bunch of outputs to a MP3 controller board to handle play/pause, and track selection... I know some of the relay boards can do that, one has a 6 channel I/O where they can be set to input or output. Looking for something with a few more.

[Hooked_on_Scares]

lorddamax,

I sell a board that can do some of what you're looking for. It has 8 transistor outputs, each of which can either control a relay or your mp3 board. It can also control 8 servos and dim 8 leds. It runs on DMX protocol, but there are USB-to-DMX converters with open APIs and broad software support. Check out my sig for more info, if this sounds interesting

As Lynn mentions, the kit74 would work too, if you have a parallel port.

Regarding inputs to the computer, for triggering routines, you might want to check out DMXorcist hardware/software.

- Hook

[Atom058]

Lorddamax - I also sell a board that will do what you are looking for. You can see them on my web site www.simplecircuitboards.com. I have boards with up to 8 relays that can handle 1 or 10A of current (10A = $51). All you need is a TTL (5V) signal to activate them. These can be controlled with any digital i/o (DIO) - type boards. My favorite is one offered by www.weedtech.com. It hooks to a serial port and I have free VB6 software examples for how to talk to his boards (and in turn, mine). I can easily modify my designs to fit your needs - just let me know - Jeff

[Atom058]

P.S. - I also have a MP3 board that will play back (sequentially or randomly) up to 63 files each time it is triggered by a dry-contact closure ($55).

[lorddamax]

Almost positive I'm going with this:

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...oducts_id=9152

54 I/O ports. 16 analog inputs. Serial ports. USB hookup. $59.

With that I can attach... hell... as many relays as I'd ever need, and still have I/O and input ports available.

You may be seeing an order from me for the 10 amp relay board...

[joshua17ss2]

One site i found that sell alot of good stuff is www.futurlec.com They have a wide range of useful boards.

Relays: http://www.futurlec.com/Relay_8.shtml

inputs: http://www.futurlec.com/DC_Opto_Input_4.shtml

hope this helps