I don't know if this is the problem but this:
for (i = 0; i < 20; i = i 1) is wrong.
I asume you mean
for (i = 0; i < 20; i = i + 1) or
for (i = 0; i < 20; i += 1)
EDIT :
Or maybe the signal levels on the Velleman card and Arduinos serial ports are different ??
Or you did not connect the ground of the card to Arduinos ground ??