Sending data back to the OI

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by cbolin

Regarding rules, are we allowed to bring a battery to the operator station to provide power for external circuits??

Yes, but...

Originally Posted by <R78>

All equipment connected to the Joystick Ports of the IFI Operator Interface must be powered solely through the power available through the port. External power sources of any type are not permitted on any equipment connected to the Joystick Ports. Portable computing devices may not be connected to Joystick input ports on the Operator Interface. Power-passive devices (e.g. joysticks that draw their power solely through the IFI Operator Interface joystick port) are permitted.

[cbolin]

Alan,
Do you suppose connecting an opto-isolator is okay with this rule? The OI power supply is driving and LED and no other circuits. The isolation ensures no electrical connection. The external battery would then support 100% of external circuitry.

Billfred, I'll check the Q&A.

Regards,
ChuckB

[Alan Anderson]

I "suppose" that the words

External power sources of any type are not permitted on any equipment connected to the Joystick Ports.

mean that if your device connects to the Joystick Ports, it cannot get power from anything other than the Joystick Ports. The words "isolation" and "electrical connection" are not present in the rule.

However, what I "suppose" is not relevant. If you want an official answer, submit an official question. Which I see you're planning to do, which is good. Now we can all find out the correct answer.

[cbolin]

The Q&A site says "No exceptions!" in response to using opto-isolators on the OI ports.

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=278

Regards,
Chuck

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by GDC

There are no exceptions to <R78>.

That's what I expected, and what I feared. If you want to get feedback from the OI into a powered device, you'll have to find some way to do it other than the LED driver outputs.