Wiring custom toggle switches into operator interface
 

Hey guys, I want to basically wire custom toggle switches (i.e. SPST's) into one of the ports on the operator interface, so that when you flip one switch, say, pin 3 returns a 1. I did a quick and dirty (but interactive :D) flash movie of basically what we want - http://nervae.phenominet.com/first/whatwewant.html. Doing the wiring isn't exactly hard, just knowing how to wire it is a trick.

I'm not sure how these ports work, but I'm guessing each pin is some kind of 'mini-circuit' that if closed returns a 1 and if open returns a 0, meaning one of the pins is the power and the others are 'circuit pins'? ...or am I completely ouyt there? Check out my flash movie to see basically what we want to do. Any links or explinations on how to wire it would be helpful.

Hope this Helps
 

Basically, what you're looking at is something like this...
In the simplest form, a digital input on the OI could be a wire running between a signal pin and a ground pin. In that case, you would always have a value of 1. So, putting a switch in between the two pins lets you control the value(off/open = 0, on/closed=1)

Hmm, electrics isn't exactly my thing - atleast word-wise it isn't. I think I understand what you're talking about, but can you draw up a small dirty diagram?

Also, in the case of the operator interface, where does the power come from? Does it come from one of the pins? If no, how much power do we use?

Okay, I was thinking about it, and through the powers of god, I came up with this diagram. Is this right? Also, what are the voltages, and whats the ohm rating of the resistor that we should use?

here are the pinouts for port 3:
(PIN)
(2) Joystick Trigger Switch Digital (bit) p3_sw_trig Relay 3 Forward SW05 [5]
(7) Joystick Thumb Switch Digital (bit) p3_sw_top Relay 3 Reverse SW06 [5]
(10) Aux Switch1 Digital (bit) p3_sw_aux1 Relay 6 Forward SW07 [5]
(14) Aux Switch2 Digital (bit) p3_sw_aux2 Relay 6 Reverse SW08 [5]

pin 4 and 12 are grounds

so if you want p3_sw_aux1 in the code (for example) to be 1, you wire a switch from pin 4(or 12) to pin 10 which is the imput, so basically for a switch to work you wire it from the pin you want to the switch then the switch to ground

so

pin 10 on oi----->switch------->ground

/
---------------------------------
| |
| The Switch |
| (SPST) ]
___________________
| |
pin 10 ground

_______________________________________
and check out the control system manual at:

MANUAL

page14-17 has the pin-outs for the others

______________
hope this helps:)

that diagram did not come out well:rolleyes: , try this:

Ahh, thanks, that makes everything clear, or so I hope. Thanks for the link - I was looking for that information (I was going to the "Operator Interface" link rather than the entire control systems link). Anyways, I think I have the electrics diagram right now that we know what pins do what, but then again, electrics isn't my strongest subject. Can you take a look and make sure it's right before I go and fry our OI? ;) http://nervae.phenominet.com/first/whatwedo.html

Thanks for your help!

That would be correct, if you need any more help im right in patchogue n.y., you can e-mail me here if you need anything else.

Nice animations. It really helped figure out what was going on. If you want do use more buttons you might consider using the y-cable on the control system. More info can be found in the White Pages.

Ok, for those who did not get the message before...
Don't connect up to the input pins on the controller until you have investigated the input requirements of the controller on the Innovation First website. Damage to inputs (permanent, that is) can result and are not covered under the warranty. A simple pull up resistor with a switch is recommended for analog inputs acting as digital inputs. (i.e. ON/OFF) The Innovation First papers are much more descriptive than I can be here. Please read them before proceeding.
Good Luck All