Interesting Hardware Question!

I am looking for a hardware answer to the following problem. Hopefully something USB.............I need to:

(1) control a solenoid value which is 12VDC with 0.50 Amps

(URL address blocked: See forum rules)=7877K55&pagenum=434

(2) monitor flow after the solenoid has opened with a Vision 2000 Flowmeter
with:
Power supply 5 - 24 VDC
Power consumption Approx. 8mA
Output signal Frequency open collector (NPN sinking)
Output current Max. 20mA



(URL address blocked: See forum rules)=4&sub=1&tab=2

Apparently it pulses at 2200/liter that flows through it. There is no way that a liter would make it through in one second. I would place it more like minimum 6 seconds for a liter.



I have been playing with the idea of using Data acquisition, data logger boards, etc. but they have too many features and are way too costly $200-500. I want a solution under $100, preferably like $20.

Any ideas?

if you find something like this you can control devices, such as solenoids, lights, fans or whatever from pc using parrallel port.

Also might find some more ideas for this type of stuff at Make and Hackaday.


Good luck (as MVAgusta said, most likely find stuff based on parallel ports, though Hackaday has had a rash of serial-device controllers ately).