Hello Matt,
Thank you for posting to this forum. It looks like you are trying to test your digital outs channels.
A good way to do this is to go into Measurement and Automation Explorer. Under Device and Interfaces, find your device. You can then click on the Test Panel to use the utility to read and write to your ports.
For information on the connector and connections, take a look at the user manual of the PCI-DIO-96
PCI-DIO-96/PXI-6508/PCI-6503 User Manual
http://digital.ni.com/manuals.nsf/websearch/0488381BEBA3D5138625712C007B27F2
Chapter 3 is on Signal Connection and there is a figure of the Pin Assignments for this hardware.
In your post you mentioned connecting LEDs to your digital outs. Checking Appendix A of the User Manual, you will be able to get the Input and Output specs.
This card can source a maximum of 2.5mA. If you try to draw anything more then that amount of current (<2 kΩ load at 5 V output) you can seriously damage your card. This card is used as a logic device and if you try to current drive LEDs which have low impedance
and may require high currents this may be an issue. Check the specs for your LEDs.
Please take a look at the documentation that I have included. This should get your started with your application. Let us know if you have any additional questions or comments.
Have a good one!
Regards,
Sandra T.
Applications Engineer | National Instruments