serial port devices

[penhuin X]

first off, let me give a bit of back ground: my friends and I build haunted houses every year for the community center in our area, and we get a bit more hi-tech each year. This time around, we'd like to computerize the whole process. For one thing, we're recording a burning a CD with sounds timed on it and different channel effects, but that's not the point here. What we'd like to do is hook up a computer to a set of switches to control the lighting. What I'm looking for from all of you guys is a program that allows me to send a current through a pin on the serial port (or LPT port) to a relay to flip a switch to turn on a light. I'd like to use as many switches as a port will allow, and I'd like to have a pretty little VB program that has buttons I push to activate each relay. Any thoughts on this matter would help out alot, as we are stumped right now. Thanks guys.

[Cybrg641]

I don't really know it's full capabilites, but I think Assembler would be a better choice for that kind of program. VB isn't designed to perform those kind of functions. And if you did pull it off with VB, it would probably be too big and slow.

[Admiral Michael]

I know how to send 5VDC thru the parallel port. WHat version of windows do u have? However the parallel port only has 5 input pins and 8 output pins.

[Jim Brown]

The attachment is a short note I wrote a while back to explain how to write to a port to set and unset each pin.

I always point people to Boondog (http://www.boondog.com) and Lakeview (http://www.lvr.com) where you'll find a wealth of help including lots of links.

[cafeenman]

First, let me tell you a little about myself. I know nothing about anything that could possibly help you.

Second, you should have started this project this time last year for this Halloween.

I hope I have been of service to you.

You're welcome. :)