I am trying to locate an I/O Controller (actually mostly output)
capable of connecting to a PC via USB or Ethernet (using TCP/IP) for
the purpose of switching relays on a 12VDC system.

If Ethernet and TCP/IP (preferred) the controller must be able to be
assigned an IP Address, subnet mask and gateway and listen on TCP or
UDP for control packets to activate the appropriate relay(s) depending
on the port connection or packet data. The controller must be able
to operate on a 12VDC supply between 11VDC and 14VDC (automotive
application). The controller can have relays onboard or a method to
switch offboard relays.

If controller is USB it must be able to operate on a 12VDC supply
between 11VDC and 14VDC (automotive application). It can have onboard
relays or a method to switch offboard relays. For USB, device
driver(s) and preferrably source for win32 and linux must be
available.

Pricing for either should be as inexpensive as possible but up to $100
for Ethernet or $60 for USB.


Thanks for any assistance provided.

Hi -

There was an article a month back in Popular Science that tackled a
similar problem (not an automotive application) - the page reference
is here:

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/computers/article/0,12543,402779,00.html

Their recommened mini-controller can be found on this site:
http://www.siteplayer.com/  (connects via serial port, tcp/ip enabled,
$29.95)

Others:
www.picoweb.com  (connects via rj45 cable, depending on how assembled
$85-139)
http://www.ibutton.com/TINI/index.html (rj45, $50-65)

Other data controllers appear to be out of your price range when
bundled with software drivers, but include all of the switching
relays:
http://www.web-tronics.com/nudmoddatacc.html
http://www.sealevel.com/catalog/Digital_IO.pdf   (somewhat long,
relevant products near the middle).

Search strategy:
Google: mini-controller relay
Google: siteplayer
Google: tini controller
Google: usb mini-controller relay