Quote Originally Posted by rsocor01 View Post
I will give it a try to Darrel Taylor's suggestion of using a 16F726 with a "capacitive sensing module" but I'm afraid that for this technique to work is going to require that your body has to be grounded.

Any comments on this issue or any related topic?????
No way! You shouldn't need your body grounded at all!

I'm testing the 16F726 touch sensor right now, using it to toggle a solid state relay on and off.

I'm sitting here in a carpeted room, on an insulated chair, wearing rubber soled sandals and the sensor works great!
My wife came in a little bit ago and it worked for her too.

I've got a simple 6 button "keypad" with bits of copper foil on the backside (inside) of a plastic box. When I touch the outside of the box where the sensors are... PRESTO... just like magic!

Try it. You'll like it.