Anyone have a Parallax Digital I/O Board to loan for ~2 weeks?

WBA Consulting

I am working on a prop for a Christmas play that my daughter will be in on December 15th. As I am getting closer to the deadline for the full dress rehearsal, I am looking for a few ways to speed up my efforts. As an example, rather than using a set of 10 tact switches for the remote, I will be using Parallax's 4x4 matrix keypad. Self adhesive backing and an 8 pin header is quicker than 40 solder joints and a lot of wiring.

Anyhow, I am in need of a way to drive some 12 volt lighting and the 27113 Parallax Digital I/O Board Kit would make that part a slam dunk. I really have no desire to spend $50 on a board I will use once for a few hours, so I was hoping someone may have one sitting on their bench that could be borrowed. My other option is to wire up relays or FETs by hand on a perfboard. Not impossible, just more time consuming.

thanks in advance.

Chris Savage

Andrew,

When do you need it by? If you share your project and details I can get you one on Friday.

WBA Consulting

Chris,
Thanks, that would be great and Friday is fine. I could swing by and grab it if necessary. I haven't started a project thread on it yet, but definitely plan on doing that. Hopefully, I will have some video to go with it as well.

Anyhow, I made a block diagram with notes a few weeks ago back when this all started. I copied out of Visio for the post, but also made it a PDF.

The remote setup will consist of:
Parallax 4x4 Keypad
My Propeller BSC Module
Sparkfun 1000mAh LiPo
xBee Adapter Board
1mW xBee Module
PacTec Enclosure

Code will essentially be:
1) Initialize xBee
2) Scan keypad
3) Perform “case” against keypad entry
4) Transmit code for event trigger


On the time machine prop (which is 7 feet tall, 4 feet wide, and 3 feet deep, made of plywood and 2x2, and on casters)
Parallax PropBOE
1GB uSD Card for WAV files
1mW xBee Module
17" LCD panel with VGA driver board
Altec Lansing Powered PC speakers
((Light Driver Board))
Multiple 12V LED Strips (colors and lengths)
4 Lamps, 12V
1 Pr Green Fluorescent tubes, 12V

Code for the time machine (aka receiver)
1) Initialize VGA, xBee, WAV Player
2) Set LED States
3) Set Initial VGA display
4) Wait for xBee event trigger
5) Perform “case” on trigger
6) Play event specifc WAV file
7) Start LED sequence
8) Initiate event specific display sequence (count from departure year to arrival year, etc)
9) Flash display for present year
10) Settle LED sequence to idle mode

Chris Savage

Okay, stop by the front desk at Parallax Friday after noon and there should be a package waiting for you. Do you need mechanical relays (AC/DC) or SSRs (AC)?

WBA Consulting

Excellent, thanks Chris. Mechanical relays should work; all of the outputs that I need to switch are 12VDC and <1 amp.