🚀 go-pugleaf

I am looking to switch on/off various pieces of equipment by writing
software routines to interface between the com port and the equipment.

I have noticed when I open the com port the voltage across certain pins
increases from zero volts to 20 volts. Is there any way of utilising
this voltage increase to 'control' equipment.

Initially I am just looking to switch on/off a 6V cassette recorder but
eventually I would like switch on/off some 3 phase (330V) stepper
motors.

I have seen the 64 channel i/o controllers as advertised by Maplins at
�80 but I have no real idea how they work. What are 64 channels needed
for ?  It appears that other hardware is also required, like relay
boards. The relay boards at �120  appear to only operate at relatively
low power consumption (120V 2amp). Surely there must be some cheaper way
of getting a PC to switch on/off a cassette recorder than �200.

Any pointers ?

Paul
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