landmannnn Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I came across a supplier of relay boards that can be controlled by a serial or usb output from my toughbook tablet pc. Up to 8 relays per board for £20 or so. It sounds really useful to be able to control things from the pc. Problem is that I can't think of use for this technology...anybody think of one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Twig Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Password protected ignition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redhand Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 Password protected ignition? used with a light meter to automatically turn the headlamps on when it starts to get dark. or uses the PC.s clock to switch them on at lightting up times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest noggy Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 voice activated.... lights/radio/things... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotian Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 I like the sound of those.. The Password protected ignition sounds like a very useful use of them. I dont know wbout the voice activated stuff.. You would be shouting at the top of your voice to be heard over the engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 I built my own. Coupled with some input lines, I've got it set up to do things like 1) driving lights on with the main beam 2) driving lights on using the touchscreen 3) driving lights off with the main beam 4) rear work lights on, when in reverse and sidelights on etc, etc, Basically nothing you couldn't hard-wire, but the advantage of doing it in software means it's much more flexible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 You are forgetting 'disco' lighting effects using headlights, sidelights, indicators etc to impress your homies. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landmannnn Posted May 26, 2008 Author Share Posted May 26, 2008 You are forgetting 'disco' lighting effects using headlights, sidelights, indicators etc to impress your homies.Si I always suspected I was doing something wrong. Do X eng supply candy paint and huge exhaust pipes? X-candy and X-can perhaps? Seriously though, the pc controlled ignition sounds the most practical use. Thanks folks. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest diesel_jim Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Crikey... i barely trust windoze to check my email, let alone something as crucial as controlling stuff on my car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 it doesn't do anything essential, and there's manual overrides all round! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 How about using it to make a car alarm which behaves like the walking robot on RoboCop - "YOU HAVE FIVE SECONDS TO COMPLY!" Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 Could be interesting when Windows does a forced reboot after an update, and the whole truck shuts down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest diesel_jim Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 How about using it to make a car alarm which behaves like the walking robot on RoboCop - "YOU HAVE FIVE SECONDS TO COMPLY!" Si "YOU HAVE FIVE SECONDS UNTIL SHUTDOWN....PRESS CTRL-ALT-DEL TO CANCEL" you go to turn your lights on.... "are you sure you want to turn your lights on? yes, no, cancel" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 I like a bit of automation as much as the next man, but it seems like a lot of effort to achieve things that could be done with a few cheap components and no software. Or, if you wanted to have the flexibility, a PIC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 yup, the best solution IMHO is to have a standalone PIC that can also talk to the PC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 yup, the best solution IMHO is to have a standalone PIC that can also talk to the PC. I'm surprised at the pair of you! Where's the fun in an undercomplicated solution? There was a photoshopped picture of a Td5 steering wheel with Ctrl Alt & Del keys added doing the rounds a few years ago. This might be an oportunity to turn it in to a reality! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I'm surprised at the pair of you! Where's the fun in an undercomplicated solution? This was fun, and complicated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Very nice! That reminds me of building traction control for a friends Mini when I was at college..... the crazy things we do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gromit Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 This was fun, and complicated ABS? Looks cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 ETC, with a standard 3 open-diff drivetrain. It was my final year project, I designed the hardware, electronics and software, and it actually worked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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