Hi all.
I am starting a new project and need some help.
I want to modify an older (1977) electromechanical pinball machine.
What I want to do is simple. The machine has 10 drop targets (targets the pinball hits and they drop down). When one drops, it forces a switch connection that carries 6v AC to a corresponding light bulb (to light it).
I want to remove these light bulbs, tap into the 6v AC "signal" and relay the info to my Microcontroller. (I will then light my own set of 10 leds the way I want).
I am planning on using a 16 channel analog/digital multiplexer, and poll the state of the 10 drop targets frequently.
My problem is that I dont know the best way to get the 6v AC to read in as a signal to my Atmel.
For power of the Atmel, I am planning on taking 6v AC from the pinball machine, half-recitfying it with a 1n4004 diode, smoothing it with a capacitor (what uF?) then voltage regulating it to 5v DC.
Question 1: Will the multiplexer route AC signals? Could I connect the AC 6v from the switches directly to the multiplexer, or will I have to diode, cap, regulate each switch to change it to DC?
(The multiplexer is rated to run at 3-15V)
Question 2: If the above is possible then how should I power the multiplexer..can I do it from the 5v DC out of the microcontroller
Question 3: Should I be hooking the atmel ground to multiplexer ground to pinball ground?
Thanks for your help,
Ben
I am starting a new project and need some help.
I want to modify an older (1977) electromechanical pinball machine.
What I want to do is simple. The machine has 10 drop targets (targets the pinball hits and they drop down). When one drops, it forces a switch connection that carries 6v AC to a corresponding light bulb (to light it).
I want to remove these light bulbs, tap into the 6v AC "signal" and relay the info to my Microcontroller. (I will then light my own set of 10 leds the way I want).
I am planning on using a 16 channel analog/digital multiplexer, and poll the state of the 10 drop targets frequently.
My problem is that I dont know the best way to get the 6v AC to read in as a signal to my Atmel.
For power of the Atmel, I am planning on taking 6v AC from the pinball machine, half-recitfying it with a 1n4004 diode, smoothing it with a capacitor (what uF?) then voltage regulating it to 5v DC.
Question 1: Will the multiplexer route AC signals? Could I connect the AC 6v from the switches directly to the multiplexer, or will I have to diode, cap, regulate each switch to change it to DC?
(The multiplexer is rated to run at 3-15V)
Question 2: If the above is possible then how should I power the multiplexer..can I do it from the 5v DC out of the microcontroller
Question 3: Should I be hooking the atmel ground to multiplexer ground to pinball ground?
Thanks for your help,
Ben