pc cash drawer
Yes your right it is a selenoid, thats what the draw is called a selenoid cash drawer on the back. I read up about this technology called POE Power over ethernet, I know that people have used ethernet interfacing for industry automation, however it is quite uncommon.
I know an alternative is to use somekind of serial or parallel to RJ-11 converter, so i can interface via the serial or printer port.
also another correction Id like to make, on the back 12V was crossed out by pen, and written 24V, I dont know whether that makes a difference.
Is it possible just to hook it up to my modem port, and send some commands to the modem some way such that its opens the draw via my modem, Ive heard of this thing called AT commands.
But also Im hoping to put this system on windows 98, because i have already made the printer driver software for it and it works ok. Just need to know wether I can use TCP/IP to some how send some data or signal to power up the cash drawer.
To be honest with you I think your correct all the way, itt makes sense. But unfortunately the selenoid is covered in this grey fabric like material, so I can say the what type it is, Im sure it works fine, but I just need to know how to power it up.
Just to make sure that it works can I use a a cable tester and send the right amount of volts, which tests the rj-11 cable and hopefully generate some power to the cash drawer for it to operate.
one website suggested to me to send DOS commands to the modem or what ever COM port it hooked up on.
I know its not impossible because I know that can be done in Visual Basic, .NET.
unfortunately im using Java that has very few, or Im unaware of capabilties for communication and interfacing.
Im kinda stuck, where should i begin, I just want a simplen solution, I researched and found out that you can send character codes to the drawer to invoke opening.
I'll try to get in touch with the manufacturer, hopefully they might be able tell me what I need.