Read 24 analog voltages

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi Forum,

I am involved in a project for which I think the solution is Arduino. Although I don't have any experience with Arduino yet, I think the requirements are simple enough for me to handle as a novice. I am a very experienced Max developer, reasonably skilled Processing coder, and overall sound technician. I hope I can get some advice here for getting started.

The setup consists of 8 to 24 pendulum clocks which are wired to create a circuit when the bells toll. I need this to be translated into separate triggers that I can use in a Max patch. My idea is to put a current on the circuit with a battery, and read the voltage changes with Arduino.

Now I think I would manage to make this work with one Arduino and one circuit, but I don't have a clou what is the way to go to create 8 to 24 discrete triggers.

Any help is highly appreciated, as this is complete new terrain for me.

Looking forward to your feedback,

Thanks and Cheers,

Sono

2

I can't figure where the analog voltages come into the picture?

Can you draw a diagram representing your circuit and post a photo of the drawing?

An Uno has 6 analog inputs and a Mega has 16. But I can't help feeling that you only need digital inputs.

...R

3

Hi,

Maybe use something like IC MCP23017. Two of them should do the job!?

4

The MSP-EXP432P401R Launchpad from Ti has a 24 ch 14 bit A/D.

You can program it with Energia, a fork of Arduino.

5

Thanks for your responses.

In the meantime i had some in-real-life advice on how to do this. Indeed I need the digital ports, and an IC to expand the amount of switches. I have a clear view on how to start now.

Another question: is there any restriction or guidelines regarding cable length to create a 5v circuit? I imagine the server cpu will be somewhere in the corner, with switches (inside the clocks) running up until 10m or even 15m. Will that cause problems? Do I need any special type of wire?

Thanks again,

Sono

6

Cat 5 should work fine. If you are really worried, you can use real RS232.

7

I guess I need 2-core, back and forth to every switch separately, with the Arduino able to read LOW and HIGH (5v).

8

Hi,

If you send pulses from switch (opening/closing), be careful about multi-pulses from the switch for only one opening/closing. You will probably have to use some debouncing circuits in order to have clean pulses.