Project: PC Interface

Thread Starter

sparky3489

Joined Sep 21, 2009
12
This is my PC Interface prototype with blown fuse indicators and selectable resistive/inductive loads for 120VAC house current. The circuit is essentially eight solid state relays using optocouplers and triacs.

The idea is to control up to eight devices (TV, stereo, Christmas lights, etc.) all from my PC or from anywhere in the world via the internet (the beginnings of a "smart home system").

I wrote the controller program in BASIC (don't laugh) primarily because the parallel port cannot be directly accessed with an NT based OS (XP or Vista) so I have a dedicated Windows 98 machine.

An example of my program:





The schematic:



My board layout:






The rest of the pics are all construction:











More pics are here - http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j230/sparky3489/PC interface/?start=all


Some videos on this project.

In the beginning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9OMMRkeZnM

Test 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yle1TJiZvQY

Test 2 - to music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bhYVJBRaYI

Final test
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y5QB8ragsI
 

Thread Starter

sparky3489

Joined Sep 21, 2009
12
Objective:
Provide control up to eight devices/appliances from my PC or from anywhere in the world via the internet. The beginnings of a "smart home" system.

I wrote the program in BASIC (don't laugh) primarily because the parallel port cannot be directly accessed with an NT based OS (XP or Vista) AND to keep this part simple I have a dedicated Windows 98 machine. Control options include selectable, random, custom patterns and flash to music outputs.

The PC parallel connects to an octal buffer (ULN2803) that drives eight optocouplers each driving a triac. Each triac is coneected to a fused outlet in the enclosure. Green LEDs indicate when an outlet is energized.

The outlets are switchable to use inductive or resistive loads. There are eight red LEDs to indicate if a fuse has blown.

Schematic -


Board -




Parts added -



Enclsoure -


Inside -


The rest of the pics - http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j230/sparky3489/PC interface/?start=all

In operation -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHZ9gNW1q_w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yle1TJiZvQY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bhYVJBRaYI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y5QB8ragsI
 
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