RE: Re: LED Fun Challenge

["Ward, David" <DAvid.Ward@xxxxxxxxxx>]

If you want to go the controller route I recommend the Mitsubishi Alpha
units
limited I/O, but
You could you 1 or two transistor output versions that way you wouldn't
have
the horrid relay clicking sound and reliability would greatly improve

e.g.  The AL-20MT-D Has 12 inputs, and 8 transistor outputs, requires 24V
DC
Supply

The Alpha In A Box starter kit is good value and comes with programming
cable software and EEProm module

You don't need the EEPROM really, as the Alpha has non volatile program
memory, the software is very easy to learn drag and drop point to point
wiring with modules e.g. AND, OR, COUNT, FLASH, TIMER etc


No connection, just saved my bacon loads of times when projects came in
with
0 lead time - required this afternoon working and reliable =:O

For  a quick look see Farnell <www.farnell.com> order code  3354702


Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: David Buckley [mailto:db@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 03 August 2004 21:29
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: [ukha_d] Re: LED Fun Challenge


--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Rob Mouser" <groups@m...> wrote:
> A friend of mine has just moved into a new (very posh) pad.
> He has an oak and steel spiral staircase and wants to add
> some discreet LED lighting to it. But of course just on/off
> wont do! He wants to have pir activation from the top and
> the bottom AND when it is activated he wants the LED lights to
> come on in sequence one step at a time (Fairly fast.) and then
> all remain lit for a set period of minutes. But it doesn't
> stop there! .......

Clearly, money is no object here.

PLCs.  "Low cost" PLCs like the Siemens Logic, or one of the many
identical units, like the Crouzet, Moeller etc.  You'll need relay
output models with either an expansion capability, or use
several "basic" PLCs and chain one from another.

It'll take an hour to program, and work forever, with 100%
reliability.

Granted its on the face of it a much more expensive solution than
using a PIC and building something, but given that RS deliver stuff
next day it can be installed and up and running in a day.