Control lights, pc->relay->lights

[RS82]

Hi

I would like to switch on some lights (24v DC) using my PC - i was
thinking either serial \ parralell interface - or USB if that is possible.

As far as i can see i just need some kind of relay attached to the port, and
then send a signal to trip the relay. Is this right?

What kind of relay do i need? (If possible, i want one where i'd send a
signal and it would turn on, send a signal to turn it off - as opposed to
one where i need to send a signal constantly to have the lights on). Please
bear in mind i really dont know much about electronics.

Also, would it be possible to detect on the PC whether the relay is on or
off?

Thanks

Rs

 

[Tom Woodrow]

http://www.kitsrus.com/kits.html#k74

Tom Woodrow

RS82 wrote:

Hi

I would like to switch on some lights (24v DC) using my PC - i was
thinking either serial \ parralell interface - or USB if that is possible.

As far as i can see i just need some kind of relay attached to the port, and
then send a signal to trip the relay. Is this right?

What kind of relay do i need? (If possible, i want one where i'd send a
signal and it would turn on, send a signal to turn it off - as opposed to
one where i need to send a signal constantly to have the lights on). Please
bear in mind i really dont know much about electronics.

Also, would it be possible to detect on the PC whether the relay is on or
off?

Thanks

Rs

 

[Bill Bowden]

"RS82" <dont@mail.me> wrote in message news:<Cxwtb.81$P%3.23@news-binary.blueyonder.co.uk>...

Hi

I would like to switch on some lights (24v DC) using my PC - i was
thinking either serial \ parralell interface - or USB if that is possible.

As far as i can see i just need some kind of relay attached to the port, and
then send a signal to trip the relay. Is this right?

What kind of relay do i need? (If possible, i want one where i'd send a
signal and it would turn on, send a signal to turn it off - as opposed to
one where i need to send a signal constantly to have the lights on). Please
bear in mind i really dont know much about electronics.

Also, would it be possible to detect on the PC whether the relay is on or
off?

Thanks

Rs

There are a few ideas to hookup relays to the PC printer
port shown here.

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Bill_Bowden/page6.htm#PPRIC

-Bill

 

[RS82]

Thanks, Bill & Tom - both sources have helped me understand a great deal

rs

"RS82" <dont@mail.me> wrote in message
news:Cxwtb.81$P%3.23@news-binary.blueyonder.co.uk...

Hi

I would like to switch on some lights (24v DC) using my PC - i was
thinking either serial \ parralell interface - or USB if that is possible.

As far as i can see i just need some kind of relay attached to the port,
and
then send a signal to trip the relay. Is this right?

What kind of relay do i need? (If possible, i want one where i'd send a
signal and it would turn on, send a signal to turn it off - as opposed to
one where i need to send a signal constantly to have the lights on).
Please
bear in mind i really dont know much about electronics.

Also, would it be possible to detect on the PC whether the relay is on or
off?

Thanks

Rs