PLC/Programmable chip suggestions

[m_c]

Main reason I was trying to avoid PIC was the need for a dedicated programmer and external clock signal, but a quick scan of the datasheet for the 18F2550 shows that that's not needed anymore, and they still come in good old fashioned DIP packaging (I'd rather not venture into surface mount at the moment!). I'll have a good read through the current PIC manuals during the week.

First project is a bmx/mtb start gate. I need something to control lights/beeper, switch solenoids, generate a random time delay between final ready beep and the final beep/gate release, and store the exact time the gate was released (this is where the external timing chip comes in - when gate gets triggered, so does the external timing chip, which outputs the time it was released for storage into memory/transmission to a computer).

Second project, is a lap timer with a break beam.
Third project is finish line timing to go with the first project.

To start with, and to save time/cost (need the first bit built and tested before the middle of may, although timing might be skipped for now), everything will be getting done on strip boards. If it works, I'll look at getting proper circuit boards made.

[Jonathan]

Second project, is a lap timer with a break beam.

Coincidence - I started making a lap counting system with coil on model car with a big coil lying across the track. Each car has different frequency through coil allowing band pass filters to be used on the track coil to distinguish between cars and increment a counter.

I'll look at getting proper circuit boards made.

Use CNC router to make them yourself!