Digital Baybus

BPP · Post by **BPP** » Thu Mar 07, 2002 9:15 am

I like what I see out of the LK204-25PC, however, I was interested in knowing if any of the other Matrix Orbital units can do what this one can. I would prefer to have a graphical unit or a VFD unit. They just look better to me. Is there going to be something new coming out along these lines?

My requirements are:

1. Be able to turn on/off 3 different lighting modifications in any combination. (LED lights, badge light, and cold cathode tube light)

2. Be able to turn on/off 2 case fans in any combination.

3. Be able to display temperature, CPU usage, Winamp, etc. (I assume this is all done through downloading a program from your site)

How would I be able to toggle these things? Could I put some push buttons on the side of the bay bracket to scroll through a menu, or would I have to use a keypad? And finally, is any of this possible on a smaller unit? (that would fit in a single 5

Post by **Cheese** » Thu Mar 07, 2002 12:56 pm

Doing all this and more is very easyw ith the LK204-25PC and LCDC.

There isn't a graphical LCD with enough GPO's for your task atm

Cheers,

r.

specialk · Post by **specialk** » Thu Mar 07, 2002 1:33 pm

If you have a free parallel port, you can easily wire it up to control the fans and lighting with transistors. All of the LCD display routines and control would have to be done via a computer program though. If you ware still interested in that method (via a parallel port), tell me

-special [k]

BPP · Post by **BPP** » Thu Mar 07, 2002 4:56 pm

So I would wire it up to the serial and parallel ports?

And this is with the LK204-25PC unit?

Thanks!

specialk · Post by **specialk** » Thu Mar 07, 2002 11:31 pm

Actually, the LK204-25PC has 8 high power outputs (didn't see that before), so it would work exactly for what you want. I was just proposing an alternate solution but the LK204-25PC should work out fine for you (I'm actually wiring up the parallel port to control fans on a little computer me and a friend are putting together). In terms of using a graphical, however, the most GPOs they have is 2 outputs, and they are not the high power GPOs like the LK204-25PC. You can use them to switch higher loads using transistors, but in the end, it would probably be easier with the character rather than graphic lcd.
[edit]I'm tired, it's early in the morning, just finished watching Memento, please exuse my grammar

[/edit]

-special [k]

_________________
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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: specialk on 2002-03-07 23:35 ]</font>

BPP · Post by **BPP** » Fri Mar 08, 2002 8:48 am

Thanks for your reply.

I guess my final question now for Henry or anyone else who might possibly know...

Are there plans for a graphic or VFD serial display with high power GPOs to come out anytime in the near future. I would hate to buy the -PC and have a new one come out a few weeks later.

Thanks again!

Post by **Henry** » Fri Mar 08, 2002 8:57 am

Yes and No... more details in 2 months...

BPP · Post by **BPP** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 8:49 am

Henry or anyone else:

Correct me if I am wrong, but in reading the details on the LK204-25PC, it says that I can only control the GPOs thru software or a keypad and not both. Is this correct? I would like to control the fans and stuff thru a keypad, but is a software solution the only option?

Post by **Cheese** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 8:56 am

Not quite sure what you're asking...

You want to be able to turn you fans on with either software controlling the lcd's GPO's (on a keypad press maybe) OR some hardware, maybe a manual override switch?

A little bit of electronics would make that possible... not very difficult.

Cheers,

r.

BPP · Post by **BPP** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 8:59 am

I would prefer to control everything via keypad. The idea I get from the details section on that unit is telling me that I have to use software to control everything or a keypad. One or the other.

Post by **Henry** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 9:15 am

Software still has to control the GPOs in the sense of if you press a key on the keypad the LCD will only fire that command over the serial port and not do anything with it. The software/hardware has to do something with the keystroke, like tell the LCD to turn on the GPO.

BPP · Post by **BPP** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 9:22 am

That is the answer I was looking for. Thanks Henry!

One final thing now before I order, what comes with the unit when I order it? Do I need any additional things besides a mounting brakets?(cables, etc.)And also, where should I order a keypad from? It doesn't look like Matrix Orbital is selling them, or are they?

I just need a simple 4-5 key keypad. Do I order a 12 key keypad and only use what I need? Where should I get one and what model would you recommend?

Thanks again!

Post by **Henry** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 10:26 am

If you order the LK204-5-PC, nothing comes with it, just the display.

*B2041 will get you pc bay insert + power cable + serial cable

OR
*Serial cable
*Power cable
*Mounting kit

We only sell the 4x4 keypad, you can get another one, jameco has a number of them. All you need is a matrix style keypad to make it work.

PatB · Post by **PatB** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 10:36 am

On 2002-03-08 08:57, Henry wrote:
Yes and No... more details in 2 months...

2 months

?? I thought we would have news in... 2-3 weeks!

C'mon Henry, go! go! go!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: PatB on 2002-03-11 10:37 ]</font>

Post by **Henry** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 12:15 pm

well, we have so much stuff coming in the near future... it's hard to tell which news is comming... hehehehehe... (evil laugh)...