Phidget interface: use same digital output IO for different lights

Pc Lap Counter not allow you to put the same output IO number on multiple lights but it's possible to do it by editing the phidget_sn.ini file like this:

Edit the phidget_sn.ini file, you will find something like this:

[LIGHTS]
LIGHTS_5=OD9
LIGHTS_SN_5=17299
LIGHTS_4=OD10
LIGHTS_SN_4=17299
LIGHTS_3=OD11
LIGHTS_SN_3=17299
LIGHTS_2=OD12
LIGHTS_SN_2=17299
LIGHTS_1=OD13
LIGHTS_SN_1=17299
LIGHTS_GO=OD14
LIGHTS_SN_GO=17299
LIGHTS_STOP=OD15
LIGHTS_SN_STOP=17299

In this example the digital output IO #10 is used for lights 4 , after modification lights 4 will use the digital output IO #9 (same output IO as lights 5):

[LIGHTS]
LIGHTS_5=OD9
LIGHTS_SN_5=17299
LIGHTS_4=OD9
LIGHTS_SN_4=17299
LIGHTS_3=OD11
LIGHTS_SN_3=17299
LIGHTS_2=OD12
LIGHTS_SN_2=17299
LIGHTS_1=OD13
LIGHTS_SN_1=17299
LIGHTS_GO=OD14
LIGHTS_SN_GO=17299
LIGHTS_STOP=OD15
LIGHTS_SN_STOP=17299


WARNING: If you go into the phidget setup window of PCLC and you click the OK button then your special configuration will be overwrited !!!

Unfortunately this only works partially on the 0/16/16 board...


If the light for output#1 (logical state 1) is turned on by signal #A , and then signal #B turns the output#1 on (logical state 1) as well: all is OK,

So far it works,

But, if one of the signals turns OFF (example#B) (after BOTH signalled on), the Phidget board can't handle it, as the output is told to logical state 1 (on) by signal#A) and at the same time it is told to logical state 0 (Off) by signal #B.
You see this by the flashing green LED on the Phidget board itself, and no current flowing from the output

Good news? There is a hardware solution for it! (it will only costs you an extra output, so you are better of with a 0/16/16 board than a 8/8/8, (double the outputs available))

HOW?

Just connect the output terminals together for the outputs you want to use for sharing the same light.

(example: I have a big red warning LED when LOWFUEL situation, that illuminates from output #1, but when OUT of FUEL, output #1 goes OFF! (logical 0) (Which is actually correct of course since technically you do NOT have a low fuel situation anymore... ) BUt you still want that same light as a warning for LOW or NO fuel...

So for Out of Fuel set up output#2 in the PCLC other lights menu. So the same big red Led stays illuminated to give you that warning as well.

Now the ONLY thing you have to do extra is to connect a small electrical wire between the output#1 and output#2 (leave the wire from ground and the wire from#1 to the led and the powersupply connected as well, no changes there)

That's it. The current flows either via the #1 output or via the #2 output. (and if they would both be logical 1, it would not matter either...)

Simple elegant, easy

All the best,
Martin