I/O BOARD CAPABILITIES

The board provides eight SPDT relay outputs which are capable of switching 3 Amps at 24VDC or 110VAC. The eight 12VDC inputs are opto-coupled and only require a switch contact to operate. We supply a 5V regulator so only a 9-12VDC unregulated supply (e.g. DC adapter) of 250mA capability is required to power one board. In the starter package we also provide a connecting cable to connect the board to the IBM-PC parallel printer port. Additional boards may be connected by crimping an additional connector to this cable and plugging the board in! In this way, the system may be expanded up to eight boards having 64 inputs and 64 outputs. Of course there is no reason why you can't use additional printer ports to expand the system further. We can supply additional printer port cards that allow you to use any port address (e.g. 300 Hex) that doesn't conflict with your normal printer port and doesn't cause conflict errors under Windows. Don't forget the PT5230 board and parts come in kit form that you must put together using a soldering iron - unless you have experience in this we don't recommend you try this project. Fully assembled boards, of industrial quality are available from us, if you don't wish to do it yourself. If you stuff up in putting the board together and can't get it to work, see our pricelist for current charges to fix it and return it to you.

I/O BOARD APPLICATIONS

The applications of this board is really only limited by your imagination. Examples include; watering control systems, security and access control systems, home automation, robotics, model train control and a host of other things. Who knows? You could even control things around your home over the internet?

If you are interested in robotics then why not check our website further for the latest robotic construction kits from fischertechnik. This interface board can be used to control most fischertechnik models and we will be providing software to do this should there be sufficient demand. Working examples of software for the board is available free-of-charge. Just click here to download. Contained in this software are a number of programs to control fischertechnik models such as; a lift, drilling machine, combination safe, sorting machine and traffic lights.

Why don't you put that old XT, 386 or 486 computer back to work? The PLC software we provide will work on any machine with 256K of memory or more running under DOS. However, you can also use that new Pentium computer running under Windows. PLC programs that you develop can be executed from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file on startup to allow real-time control whilst you use the computer for other things!

The board may also be used with small microcomputers such as the Basic Stamp II or our ABC mini-board. All that is needed for 64 inputs and 64 outputs is 8 bi-directional lines and four output lines (with a small mod).

I/O BOARD MODIFICATIONS

The circuit orginally published in Silicon Chip magazine in July 1997, contained errors which an attempt was made to correct in November 1997. Procon Technolgy suggests that if you are using only ONE I/O board then remove the address link (IC1 may also be removed) and connect pins 2 and 3 of IC4 together. If you wish to operate a number of boards together (up to eight for 64 inputs and 64 outputs) then more extensive modifications are recommended, please click here for the modified circuit diagram. Alternatively you may purchase the kit from us and receive the additional parts and details of modifications.