[plug] PC relay control

[Jim Householder]

William Kenworthy wrote:
> Seeing the thread on UPS's, reminded me of a project I want to complete:
> is there a reasonable priced relay board that can be controlled via a
> linux PC.  Main use is to control fans in 2 PC's (cooling vs noise !!)
> as well as use them in some other applications so need multiple outputs
> (minimum 5).  Dick Smith has some projects that are built on interfacing
> to the parallel port, but a pci card seems better.  I last looked at
> this some time back (year or two) and they were too costly.
> 
> Ideas?
> 
> BillK

While a PCI solution is more elegant perhaps, I would think that the bus interface would more than double the cost and complexity.  If you are concerned about the extra box for the circuit on your desk, perhaps it could be stored inside the computer case with the connections for things to control routed to connectors in the back panel as required.  For the fans, everything is internal.  You might be able to find an i/o card that has a ribbon cable connection for the parallel port.

HTH
Jim