OP

Quoted from lyonsden:

Very well said -- just keeping parts stocked for the Pinduino is a pain. Nothing worse than asking someone to wait yet another week as something is late coming in.

You've seen my parts room. Adding a supply of shakers would be nuts.

Excellent feedback. I can make an easy to populate board with the circuit to control a 12V thingy from a pinduino. Controlling 4 things would require two pinduinos, but easily done (this version of the pinduino is designed to be stackable). I'll get to work on making those boards.

OP

Quoted from lyonsden:

Glad you like this stuff!
Using a WPC vs WPC-Ext just depends on what you want to monitor. Both plug into J126 and monitor those circuits, but the WPC-Ext has an extra four input ports (which are normally used to monitor J122/J123). Look at the flasher table of the game you want to use, and that give you an idea of what you need.
I'm finished with my year in Alexandria, but I will still head out to the area about once a month or so. Would be great to meet up.

OP

Quoted from lyonsden:

You'll need a switch (or transistor) to run the high voltage current to the shaker. Something like this will work: amazon.com link » (or a TIP122 transistor used on the power driver board).