Newbie Question: Non Parallel port relay control

Hi there.

I've got myself well on the way to completing a diy pcb mill. I intend to use a dremel (well, a dremel equivalent that cost 15 from Aldi) and am looking at relay on/off control of said tool. In the future, I may also add other things to be controlled by relay too (lights, vacuum table, etc).

My control interface is a simple uln2803 interface and I have consequently used all of my output pins on my sole parallel port. I don't really want to add a parallel port card (not a cost issue, just have no space left in my extremely small pc case that has driver electronics and is encompassed in the base of my mill).

Is there any way I can specify calling an external command to control the on/off of the motor? I already have a load of 1-wire gear, so could simply use a 1-wire relay board and a shell script to control on/off of any device I wish. Is there something like this that can be accomplished?

At the end of the day, if really doesn't _really_ matter, but for the 'whole shi-bang' (mostly bragging rights), I would like to accomplish this if possible.

I have a fair bit of knowledge in a few areas (avr uc, etc), but any info/pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

I hadn't even thought for a second about this!

Yep, this is definately an option, and one I'll most likely take. Although, now that you've suggested this, I've looked around and found the 'Contributed Components' page. I think the HAL -> Arduino interface is the way I'm going to go.

I have a few spare uc's around so will throw a basic dunio together and use this. It'll give me a higher number of digital i/o and the option of analog if i ever take my dremel apart and figure out how to use it in place of the pot used for speed control.

Thanks a million!

Thanks, I was wondering what the heck was going on, but figured the subject said it all anyway. Will remember from now on.