Part 2
At this stage I'm sticking with the MkII version of the controller from Post #9.
But what do you do next ?
Well a 110V or 240V Switcher would be a good idea. Not a Dimmer, ON OFF mode only.
There are a couple of ways you could go about this, Relays or Solid State Relays, I've
chosen the latter, both have pros and cons, for me SSRs are the way to go.
This is where things can start getting expensive.
A common 240V SSR with a 10A capacity will set you back around $45.00 AUD/USD
Then you need Mains outlets at around $5.00 ea for IEC style more for others.
Multiply this by 16 Channels and you get the picture. Ouch !
So being the cheapskate I am I made my own version
It wasn't an easy job but I got there in the end, not recommended for the faint-hearted
And
DO NOT Play with MAINS VOLTAGE if you don't know what you are doing.
The circuit I used was directly off the MOCXXXX series of Phototriac Driver Optocouplers
Data Sheet, used to drive Triacs with only LED voltages, 5V etc.
I went for a Zero Crossing type MOC3163 and BT138-600 Triacs.
Why, well I got 50 Triacs cheap, worked for me
The 4 way PowerBoards, cheapest way out I could think of at the time, $4.95 a twin pack.
I retained the original AC Neutral and Earth Bus on the 4 way Boards.
The AC Active Bus was cut up into individual terminals, double insulated wires
were then run out the back of the 4 way housing into the main enclosure.
Ch 1 to 8 and Ch 9 to 16 can be split into 2 single AC circuits or joined as one
via the GPO on the side of the case.
Now I just need to save up for all of the 240V Extension Leads
Michael