Posts: 474
Threads: 61
Joined: May 2012
I may have missed it somewhere in the pages I skimmed, but what about something like this:  http://denkovi.com/usb-16-relay-board
Full selection here:  http://denkovi.com/usb-relay-boards
Not sure about the protocol, but probably pretty simple.
Flamin' Noobie...
Warp speed now and don't give me any of that dilythium crystal crap!
Posts: 4,225
Threads: 365
Joined: May 2005
Looks like they should work. USB emulates a COM port and the protocol is simple enough for a simple driver (PDL).
Mykel Koblenz
Illawarra Smart Home
Posts: 2,339
Threads: 104
Joined: Apr 2009
So how's this project going?
Posts: 696
Threads: 62
Joined: Jun 2010
I've been clearing the space, working on several buildings including a Diesel Service Center with motorized doors using the Arduino system, buying engines, etc.
After a lot of study, we determined that it would be best to use JMRI software which is already fairly advanced for the purpose rather than try and reinvent the wheel.
http://jmri.org/
Design of the layout has been challenging as I want it to be extensive, but simple.  I've come close to achieving that.  Still, taking that first step of buying lumber and sawing boards has been delayed by one unnecessary excuse after another.  I can confirm that I have thoughts most days that at my age of 82, I shouldn't be starting this.
