Parallel Port Power Control Plugin (2 Viewers)

[Rhys.Goodwin]

Now totaly re-written and much better...

MyPowerControl

.....Download here
............Support here

 

[Taipan]

A plug-in to control AC devices via the parallel port

Where is it?

Or, is this a "Feature Request"? If it is, then you have posted in the wrong forum - this forum is for completed plugins to be announced.

 

[Rhys.Goodwin]

https://www.team-mediaportal.com/files/Download/Plugins/Utilities/ParallelPortPowerControl/

 

[ohdarklord]

I was going to code this if i ever got round to setting up the hole parrellel port and relay thing.


i look forward to trying this out.

 

[Rhys.Goodwin]

Yeah I'd reccommend getting solidstate relays if yuor going to do it, bit more expensive, but it makes it so easy. I picked mine up 2nd hand at NZ$5 each!

 

[Witwicki]

This is great!

First I would like to thank you for such a great idea

I have now started to build my relay box using opto-isolators and 10amp relays, i'm hoping to use the 12v from the computer PSU to drive the relays

as for the plugin i did have some problems at first getting it to work.

1) the first DLL I downloaded didn't work (i'm glad that MP has log files)
2) could we have an option of which LPT port to use?
3) not a problem with the plug in but a problem with windows. It seams parport.sys sets all the data pins to high on load, this mean that all my devices will power up when windows loads then I will need to toggle them off in MP

Thanks for the good work
Adam Witwicki

 

[Rhys.Goodwin]

Hi, and thanks for the feed back.

Q.1: dll not working? what is the problem there? is it working now? what do your logs say. perhaps there is a bug I need to fix?

Q.2: Yes I can add and option for lpt port. I knew I should have done that! but I thought I'd just wait for some one to ask for ! ;-)

Q.3 Yes I find that as well. For me it's not really a problem since I run my media PC 24/7. However I do have a windows start-up item that resets all pins back to zero at boot.

Hope this helps. Let me know how you get on with your setup.

Cheers,
Rhys

 

[Witwicki]

Hi,

I downloaded the wrong dll from the net, i found the dll already in MP in the end and its working now, could you not include this?

I only have one port atm, but I may have more (it was a pain working out the address of my port )

A program on start up will help in the meantime, it can act as a POST of the relays and it also makes sure your plugin shows the correct state when it loads.

I have only tested your plugin with a multi meter on the port, it going to take me about a week to knock up the first channel, but I can really see the potential

Thanks
Adam

 

[Rhys.Goodwin]

Updated. Added support for port selection and a couple of other bits and pieces. Note tho that the version in the plug-ins download section won't work with SVN. If you need a copy of the dll compiled for SVN just let me know

 

[BluXtriad]

Thats some brilliant work there, I just have a few questions.
1. It it possible to use this pluggin with a serial based relay controller.
2. If it is possible to use serial will it possible to use a usb serial converter since my laptop lacks any ports.
3. If the relay pcb is parallel based, is it possible to use a parallel to serial converter.
4. I noticed a 8 port relay available at jaycar will this work with the plugin and is it possible to make it control up to 8 devices. http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KV3590&CATID=25&keywords=&SPECIAL=&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=432
Also i Have found one at Altronics but this is a two part sollution. http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=K2850
http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=K2852

I thankyou for your time for reading this post, could you please pm your reply to me as well so I dont miss out on your answer please.