I'm new to this, so I will try to be as clear as possible. I want to make a control interface for 12v DC that will use a membrane switch interface and have led indicators and a 2 digit 7-segment display.
I am trying to control and existing Motorola maratrac radio head and several different 12v appliances in my car and don't want to have too large a control pad. I think know how to wire the membrane switches and the leds, and the 7-segment I will just be working off the existing one on the mobile radio.
My problem is that I don't want to run a separate wire between each switch and it's respective relay. The controller will be right next to the driver seat and the relay box will be in the trunk.
How can I convert all my switching signals into a single digital transmission that can then be sent using only CAT5 cable and then be decoded at the other end to control separate relays?
I plan on doing the same thing in the other direction to control the LEDs and the 7-seg.
I am fairly good at basic electronics; wiring and soldering, but I don't know that much about IC, so please bear with me. Anything you say will be looked up in a dictionary!
I am trying to control and existing Motorola maratrac radio head and several different 12v appliances in my car and don't want to have too large a control pad. I think know how to wire the membrane switches and the leds, and the 7-segment I will just be working off the existing one on the mobile radio.
My problem is that I don't want to run a separate wire between each switch and it's respective relay. The controller will be right next to the driver seat and the relay box will be in the trunk.
How can I convert all my switching signals into a single digital transmission that can then be sent using only CAT5 cable and then be decoded at the other end to control separate relays?
I plan on doing the same thing in the other direction to control the LEDs and the 7-seg.
I am fairly good at basic electronics; wiring and soldering, but I don't know that much about IC, so please bear with me. Anything you say will be looked up in a dictionary!