Controlling AC power with a computer can initially seem to be a complex task, however with some thought and a few hours it's possible to control one or more relays with an Arduino-compatible board via almost any device with a USB output that can send serial text.
This has been demonstratred by Maurice Castro, who has connected two AC relay modules to his Freetronics LeoStick - which in turn is connected to a PC for power and control. The sketch (code) loaded into the LeoStick receives simple commands via USB and acts upon them to control the relays, all of which are sealed in a container out of harms way. Any programmer can then have their software send serial text out via USB and control the relays without too much effort at all.
To learn more, visit Maurice's interesting website. And for more, we're on facebook, Google+, and twitter - so follow us for news and product updates as well.
Need a small Arduino-compatible for use with your own control projects? Then check out out our LeoStick. It's the Arduino Leonardo-compatible board that's cheaper and smaller than the original:
Apart from being one of the smallest Arduino-compatibles on the market with USB, it also has an onboard RGB LED and piezo which can be used a knock sensor and various tune and sound effects. Plus you can add extra circuitry with the matching protostick! For more information and to order, click here.
