Quote Originally Posted by SterlingY View Post
OKAY!!!!

This is starting to makes sense. It sounds so cool, I want to build the multiport system just to build it for something, anything.

Of course to make my problem more difficult, I am now in the process of builing my own electromagnets. That's a whole other field to learn. My problem is making them strong enough without starting a fire.

-Sterling
Well, if you're talking about electromagnets that are going to be drawing a fair amount of current (over a total of an amp or so), then you're going to want to skip the '2003 in the first place and just go straight with MOSFETs or whatever else you choose.

In the meanwhile, while you get your magnets built up and working well, I'd suggest setting up a bank of LEDs set up and trying those out while you sort out your software. The light from the LEDs (in relation to the PWM input to them) won't be a linear curve, and neither will your electromagnets response to that same input...but at least with the LEDs you can learn how to change your program easily to change that curve without pumping a bunch of current and potentially burning something out...then you can easily swap out those LEDs for a MOSFET and the magnets...PRESTO! instant done...almost anyways