I needed a way to make PCI DIO cards compatable with DIY Solid State Relays. Rather than bug Dan to death to alter the software to fit the needs of one guy, I decided to make a board that will invert the outputs of the channels, and breakout the channels in groups of 4 to match my SSRs. After a little testing I believe it will be possible to use it to invert the DIO32 also. I can't say that for a fact as I don't have the DIO32 in hand yet, and the PCBs for the inverter isn't here from either. It works on a breadboard, and will invert a dimmable channel from a standard controller. My DIO card is a MC PCI DIO96 with a double density 100 pin connector. I found a 3' cable on eBay. It has two 50 pin connectors that connect directly to this board. There are 12 RJ45 connectors. Each RJ45 has a set of 4 leds to indicate the status of the channels. I think this will make the use of DIO much easier for me. I was able to find a private source to make the PCBs for $10 each.
The board layout is in protel format. PM me if you'd like a copy.
First, let me reply and say, I have made one very similar, and it does indeed, work like a charm!
second, I may want to pick up a few of these, as its a lotcheaper than doing more myself!
Not a problem. I had John make 10 of them and I only need three for my current configuration. John pointed out that the manufacterer doesn't like 90˚ angles so he spent an hour or so editing them away, then beefed up the power rails and added a power LED. By including it with a larger order he was able to keep the price below $13 each including shipping from AU. Quite a deal!
Jeff
Edit: BTW, I doctored up the original Protel file to account for the needed changes, so that file is available for anyone who would like it.
Last edited on Mon Nov 17th, 2008 11:16 pm by Jeff Millard
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Jeff Millard wrote: Not a problem. I had John make 10 of them and I only need three for my current configuration. John pointed out that the manufacterer doesn't like 90˚ angles so he spent an hour or so editing them away, then beefed up the power rails and added a power LED. By including it with a larger order he was able to keep the price below $13 each including shipping from AU. Quite a deal!
Jeff
Edit: BTW, I doctored up the original Protel file to account for the needed changes, so that file is available for anyone who would like it.
I probably mislead when I posted this statement. Mike and I have been sharing in the DIO learning/use/development and idea mill for around a year or so. When I had 10 of them made, I planned for what I would need in the future... and a couple extras if he changed his mind and wanted them. He made his countdown clock using a similar board he designed, so I had an idea he'd come up with some other smooth idea for the board I laid out.
Sorry, but the board I had made aren't for sale. I appologize if my post was misleading.
Jeff
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HI Jeff. I was just taking the easy way out. This board has some interesting uses and if others knew what it could do, you'd be in trouble. I'm going to find someone to burn me a few.
Thanks.
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OK, I just got word that Rev. 1 is in the mail from AU. I've been thinking about Rev.2 and I think there's a need to isolate the DC rails from the control. The board is loosely based on a DIY control board and the designer used a dual power design with jumpers. I think this board could be easily altered to have the outputs on a separate source, just to take the load off the PC supply. Driving opto couplers on SSRs is one thing but any other use could really ramp up the current. I'll provide pictures as soon as I have one of these made and connected to some SSR pods.
Hmmmm, 'Start, Programs, Protel' back to work on 2009...
Jeff
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Time to order parts from Mouser and get started on a 2009 Display. I'm thinking arches, and new lights for the Mega tree. It's also time to contact Darryl Brown for a second mega... Need boxes for SSRs and controllers...
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PCI DIO, SSR's? OK I'm lost, in simple terms, and please be sure to type slow because I can't read very fast... Please explain these terms and how something like this board of your is put to use.
PCI is a 32bit expansion slot in the back of the computer. Simply put, a semi fast slot to put a card in the back of a PC.
PCI DIO96H Is a 96 channel digital Input/Output expansion card that goes in the PCI slot.
SSR is a Solid State Relay, in this case it is a switch that uses the Output of the DIO card to turn AC voltage on and off.
All put together it will provide 96 channels of on/off control using LOR software.
My issue, and the necessity to have this board stems from the polarity of the voltage that is outputted by the card using LOR software... and the pinout for commonly used printed circuit boards used to make SSRs.
An "on" from the LOR software gives a +5VDC output. The common SSR PCB available from the DoItYourself forums needs the negative wire from a 5VDC source to turn on. It is referred to as "sink" potential or 0V. So you can see that they are backwards from each other. The result is when you sequence an "on" effect, it turns the SSR channel off... and visa-versa. This board has three functions: It inverts the DIO card output to match the Output and the SSR... It has a higher current capacity than the DIO cards +5V output, so it takes the load off of the DIO card... and it pins the outputs to match that of the SSR PCBs.
Upon completion of these boards and and all the wiring it will give me 96 additional channels of on/off control. These channels are mostly used for my Candy Canes, and I plan to used them on PVC 'North Poles' between the arches that will skirt my yard next year.
Jeff
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Here's the first one I made with the LEDs installed. I used two of them in the display this year... but only a few channels on each one. I'm experiencing growing pains right now, so it's time to quit focusing on channel count and start thinking about decorations and display. ...and nice neighbors who want to mass produce the new arches.
Jeff
____________________ Get yourself a ServoDog. You'll be glad you did!
I had a similar board for ssr's that used old lighting control software/hardware (prostar) i used DB-9 connectors- guess times are changing now that cat5 is so common
Hi all, I certainly hope this is ok to post here...
I came upon this thread, while talking with Jeff about the ULN2803 buffer boards. I've since gotten two of them, and have them hooked up. Work great!! Since I am going to need at least several more, I talked to Jeff, as well as the gent who had the first group made. He's agreed to have some more made, and so far the response has been very good - about 16 of them committed to. The more we can get, the cheaper the price will be - right now it looks like probably $12 - $15 plus shipping from Australia, which isn't bad, as this is a pretty good chunk of fiberglass. So, if you all would like some, this is your chance...there's a picture of the board above two posts- the only difference will probably be that the silkscreen of the numbers on the RJ45's will not be on there - they were originally Jeff's board order, and since these are good for ALL sorts of different applications, you can map your own order.
If interested, please contact me, and I will put you in touch with how to get your name in on the list.
Roger
Donald Puryear wrote: Would you be interested in selling them in kit form? I would love to have 2.
Last edited on Sun Feb 1st, 2009 04:41 pm by 51fordf2
