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#1
Posted to alt.electronics
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Low Voltage Project
I want to build a low voltage (24VDC) control system that I can make direct
changes from my pc. When I am not making changes to the system will run automatically from the previous settings or instructions. The system requirements a 1.. Electronic automatic flow control valve (2) 2.. Pump (2) ( I have that) 3.. Temperature sensors (4) (With temperature alarms if possible) 4.. Heating element (24VDC) This is a proto-type home bio-diesel system. It must heat a specified amount of waste oil for a determined amount of time. Since waste oil varies from one company to another, the system must be adjustable (preset instruction routines will be pre-programmed). When this is done (this is where the temperature sensors and alarm systems come in) the bio-diesel is distilled in a fractional column when exacting temperature must be maintained. So, if anyone has any ideas please let me know. Thank you, Jim |
#2
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Low Voltage Project
I am not an expert by any means, but it seems to me you might want to
check out Parallel Port Relay Boards. There is lot's of information on the web regarding these boards (here's one: http://joevennix.blogspot.com/2006/1...est-entry.html) and they're relatively easy/cheap to build. As for sensors I do not know enough about using the PPort as a input to give you any ideas there. Note, if you have problems programming the parallel port pins to turn on and off, and get confused, check out the 'parapin' package for linux systems, it's really handy. References: More information on PPort: http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/parallel_output.html http://www.logix4u.net/parallelport1.htm sincerely, distatica Jim K wrote: I want to build a low voltage (24VDC) control system that I can make direct changes from my pc. When I am not making changes to the system will run automatically from the previous settings or instructions. The system requirements a 1.. Electronic automatic flow control valve (2) 2.. Pump (2) ( I have that) 3.. Temperature sensors (4) (With temperature alarms if possible) 4.. Heating element (24VDC) This is a proto-type home bio-diesel system. It must heat a specified amount of waste oil for a determined amount of time. Since waste oil varies from one company to another, the system must be adjustable (preset instruction routines will be pre-programmed). When this is done (this is where the temperature sensors and alarm systems come in) the bio-diesel is distilled in a fractional column when exacting temperature must be maintained. So, if anyone has any ideas please let me know. Thank you, Jim |
#3
Posted to alt.electronics
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Low Voltage Project
Ooops, forgot... Programming the parallel port (or any port attached to
your computer) can be extremely dangerous to your PC's health (and yours if the amount of power is enough), always double, triple, and quadruple check your connections and if possible test with an old 'beater' computer. snip |
#4
Posted to alt.electronics
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Low Voltage Project
Hey thanks. I appreciate the answer. I will give that a try.
Jim "distatica" wrote in message news:YHTph.618746$5R2.92209@pd7urf3no... Ooops, forgot... Programming the parallel port (or any port attached to your computer) can be extremely dangerous to your PC's health (and yours if the amount of power is enough), always double, triple, and quadruple check your connections and if possible test with an old 'beater' computer. snip |
#5
Posted to alt.electronics
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Low Voltage Project
distatica wrote:
I am not an expert by any means, but it seems to me you might want to check out Parallel Port Relay Boards. There is lot's of information on the web regarding these boards (here's one: http://joevennix.blogspot.com/2006/1...est-entry.html) and they're relatively easy/cheap to build. As for sensors I do not know enough about using the PPort as a input to give you any ideas there. Note, if you have problems programming the parallel port pins to turn on and off, and get confused, check out the 'parapin' package for linux systems, it's really handy. References: More information on PPort: http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/parallel_output.html http://www.logix4u.net/parallelport1.htm sincerely, distatica Jim K wrote: I want to build a low voltage (24VDC) control system that I can make direct changes from my pc. When I am not making changes to the system will run automatically from the previous settings or instructions. The system requirements a 1.. Electronic automatic flow control valve (2) 2.. Pump (2) ( I have that) 3.. Temperature sensors (4) (With temperature alarms if possible) 4.. Heating element (24VDC) This is a proto-type home bio-diesel system. It must heat a specified amount of waste oil for a determined amount of time. Since waste oil varies from one company to another, the system must be adjustable (preset instruction routines will be pre-programmed). When this is done (this is where the temperature sensors and alarm systems come in) the bio-diesel is distilled in a fractional column when exacting temperature must be maintained. So, if anyone has any ideas please let me know. Thank you, Try a simple microprocessor system such as the picaxe(.co.uk) which could deal with the control side of things while the PC is on or off, could be preset to change to different saved settings via the flick of a switch, and is entirely programmable over serial port with BASIC symbolic language and instructions like "readtemp" and "HIGH 1" for switching output 1 on. You can even create a flow diagram using the free software and its automatically converted to BASIC ready to be downloaded to the chip. The only requirements will be that you use either the prototyping boards and adapt one and include interface hardware for the heater elements (like logic mosfets as solid state switches). All fairly simple and runs off battery or a wall-wart type power supply of 5v. I have one monitoring and controlling the rainwater storage tanks in our house, controlling the shuffling of water between tanks depending on demand etc - they really are versatile. Once you have written the control program you just leave it to its own devices - change a switch if you bring in a batch from a different company and need extra heating time/temp or the like. J |
#6
Posted to alt.electronics
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Low Voltage Project
"Coyoteboy" wrote in message ... distatica wrote: I am not an expert by any means, but it seems to me you might want to check out Parallel Port Relay Boards. There is lot's of information on the web regarding these boards (here's one: http://joevennix.blogspot.com/2006/1...est-entry.html) and they're relatively easy/cheap to build. As for sensors I do not know enough about using the PPort as a input to give you any ideas there. Note, if you have problems programming the parallel port pins to turn on and off, and get confused, check out the 'parapin' package for linux systems, it's really handy. References: More information on PPort: http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/parallel_output.html http://www.logix4u.net/parallelport1.htm sincerely, distatica Jim K wrote: I want to build a low voltage (24VDC) control system that I can make direct changes from my pc. When I am not making changes to the system will run automatically from the previous settings or instructions. The system requirements a 1.. Electronic automatic flow control valve (2) 2.. Pump (2) ( I have that) 3.. Temperature sensors (4) (With temperature alarms if possible) 4.. Heating element (24VDC) This is a proto-type home bio-diesel system. It must heat a specified amount of waste oil for a determined amount of time. Since waste oil varies from one company to another, the system must be adjustable (preset instruction routines will be pre-programmed). When this is done (this is where the temperature sensors and alarm systems come in) the bio-diesel is distilled in a fractional column when exacting temperature must be maintained. So, if anyone has any ideas please let me know. Thank you, Try a simple microprocessor system such as the picaxe(.co.uk) which could deal with the control side of things while the PC is on or off, could be preset to change to different saved settings via the flick of a switch, and is entirely programmable over serial port with BASIC symbolic language and instructions like "readtemp" and "HIGH 1" for switching output 1 on. You can even create a flow diagram using the free software and its automatically converted to BASIC ready to be downloaded to the chip. The only requirements will be that you use either the prototyping boards and adapt one and include interface hardware for the heater elements (like logic mosfets as solid state switches). All fairly simple and runs off battery or a wall-wart type power supply of 5v. I have one monitoring and controlling the rainwater storage tanks in our house, controlling the shuffling of water between tanks depending on demand etc - they really are versatile. Once you have written the control program you just leave it to its own devices - change a switch if you bring in a batch from a different company and need extra heating time/temp or the like. J Thank you, thank you very much. Jim |
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