Where can i find simple projects that allow simple hardware to access a regular computer.

Where can i find simple projects that allow simple hardware to access a regular computer.#199809

By tommytx - Tue Jul 24, 2018 12:31 pm

- Tue Jul 24, 2018 12:31 pm #199809

I need to find basic methods to take say a simple closed or open switch on hardware remote to connect to a plugin at a regular computer that could be decoded and sent to the screen.. I see the different computers used here but do not see any things accessing the normal old PC like thru a plugin access to the computer..Thanks

Re: Where can i find simple projects that allow simple hardware to access a regular computer.#199825

By tommytx - Wed Jul 25, 2018 1:37 pm

- Wed Jul 25, 2018 1:37 pm #199825

Someone must know what i can search for to get what I am looking for its very simple... to explain in different words some tutorials on how to take a simple circuit on a breadbooard and connect it to the puter so i could read an on or off condition of a switch on the simple breadboard..
That type of thing used to be prevalent.. but now all i find is more complex stuff like building an aguino computer... way more than i need.. actually all I am looking for is the ability to monitor when my ac unit kicks in and off.. like closing a switch on a simple breadboard.. which i can do but i wont to sned that info to a basic computer to be able to monitor when the ac unig is on and off 24x7

Re: Where can i find simple projects that allow simple hardware to access a regular computer.#199826

By millercommamatt - Wed Jul 25, 2018 1:52 pm

- Wed Jul 25, 2018 1:52 pm #199826

Try something like this: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/in ... ty-logging

Have it log often enough and you'll easily see when your AC turns on and off.

Re: Where can i find simple projects that allow simple hardware to access a regular computer.#199827

By tommytx - Wed Jul 25, 2018 2:27 pm

- Wed Jul 25, 2018 2:27 pm #199827

Wow thanks... looks like that will work. and i will play with it.. but that is a whole lot more complex that i had hoped.
So if anyone else has any idea really simple i would love that.. but meanwhile i will play with this..

Re: Where can i find simple projects that allow simple hardware to access a regular computer.#199829

By millercommamatt - Wed Jul 25, 2018 3:26 pm

- Wed Jul 25, 2018 3:26 pm #199829

Your typical PC doesn't have a GPIO type interface. So you need something that can talk via serial or USB or over WiFi or Bluetooth, etc...

You could likely assemble this for less than $10 if you use Chinese made parts sourced from eBay or AliExpress. https://openenergymonitor.org/forum-arc ... de/58.html

You can just hook the arduino to PC via USB and log the data over the serial connection.

Re: Where can i find simple projects that allow simple hardware to access a regular computer.#199832

By lyndon - Wed Jul 25, 2018 7:37 pm

- Wed Jul 25, 2018 7:37 pm #199832

You can do basic I/O using the serial port handshaking lines on your computer. Since your PC likely does not have a serial port, a USB to serial converter works fine. I had a little tutorial about it. http://www.cedarlakeinstruments.com/SharedFiles/io.html

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