Mesa 7i95T P1 expansion more outputs

Hi guys,
I have 7i95t which has only 6 outputs and I desperately need more.
I use this firmware due to need of index homing:
7i95t_sdid.bin

• 6 Axes of Step and Direction with Index
• 6 Encoder Input
• 1 Smart Serial Port
• 24 Inputs
• 6 Outputs
• P1 Daughter Card

question1:
I have few DB25 breakout boards in my drawer.
I only need outputs - can I somehow use them? (im afraid not, since most of the ports are isolated by optocoupler)
I dont want to damage my mesa board.
question2:
I use only 4 out of 6 axes - is it possible to utilize 5th and 6th axis step/dir outputs to make them general outputs?
(probably not)

Thanks

basically, whats the best way to get more outputs safely.

You can use almost any parallel port breakout connected to P1
Most will have at least 8x 5V outputs

If you are only using 4 axis, you can also get 4x 5V outputs from the
7I95T's step/dir 4 and 5 pins.

To do this you specify 4 stepgens in the hal file and the
stepgen 4 and 5 outputs revert to GPIO.
 

Thanks for prompt reply.

I changed num of encoders and stepgens to 4:
loadrt [HM2](DRIVER) board_ip=[HM2](ADDRESS) config="num_encoders=4 num_stepgens=4 sserial_port_0=00000000"

now how do I address the axis 4 and 5 outputs?
is it:
hm2_7i95.0.gpio.008.out
hm2_7i95.0.gpio.009.out
hm2_7i95.0.gpio.010.out
hm2_7i95.0.gpio.011.out
?
I tried changing state of these outputs in Halshow, but the pin voltage did not change.

GPIO defaults to input mode so you need to set the "is_output" parameter for those pins:

setp hm2_7i95.0.gpio.008.is_output true

etc