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[on:]

Hello!
I'm new to electronics. I'm building a project so a relay emulates a mouse click. I've soldered two wires off the left mouse button. I can touch the wires together and it works like a charm.  The plan is to have an arduino-controlled relay complete the circuit. Almost all the relay-related posts deal with AC. I'm dealing with an USB mouse. The relay has NClosed and NOpen posts. Just to check, I hooked the mouse to NC and it clicked (and held) like I expected.

My parts list:

• Radio Shack 5VDC Micromini Relay (12P08)

IN4004 Rectifier Diode
2N2222 Transistor
1K Resistor
[/list]

My code:

Code:

#include <Servo.h>
#include <Wire.h>
int mousePin = 7;
int baudRate = 9600;

void clickMouse()
{
  Serial.println ("Mouse Press");
  digitalWrite(mousePin, HIGH);
  delay (500);
  Serial.println ("Mouse Release");
  digitalWrite(mousePin, LOW);
}

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(baudRate);
}

void loop()
{
  if (Serial.available() > 0) {
    int serialInput = Serial.read();
    switch (serialInput)
    {
    case 'c':
      {
        clickMouse();
        break;
      }
    }
  }
}

[Reply #1 on:]

Here is the project broken out on a breadboard:

[Reply #2 on:]

Looking at the photo it seems like you have the right hand connection to the relay coil going to GND whereas it should be at +5v.

[Reply #3 on:]

You forgot to set up the I/O pin as an output pin, all I/O pins default to be input pins when reset or powered on. Add the following line in your setup function:

pinMode(mousePin, OUTPUT);      // sets the digital pin as output

Even on I/O pins that you might be going to use as input pins, it's a good idea to set them as input pins in your setup function for better understanding of the code for yourself and others in the future.

Read all about pinMode function:

http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/PinMode

Lefty

PS: Good form posting both your code and a picture of the wiring when asking for help or advice. Saves lots of time for all involved and a great example for other newcomers to emulate.  

[Reply #4 on:]

Good form posting both your code and a picture

Here here!  

To make it perfect you would only have had to select your code in the reply box and hit the # icon, the code would then appear in a scrolling box.

[Reply #5 on:]

The Gods are pleased.
You are blessèd and righteous amongst Noobkind..
 ;D

[Reply #6 on:]

Thank you all for your help!

...select your code in the reply box and hit the # icon

Done!

Looking at the photo it seems like you have the right hand connection to the relay coil going to GND whereas it should be at +5v.

Re-routed per your post.

You forgot to set up the I/O pin as an output pin

Ah, my mistake. Corrected.

I'm still not getting any response from the relay. I tested continuity on a multimeter and not a twitch.

[Reply #7 on:]

The emitter of the transistor should be connected to GND, not +5v. (That is assuming it is an NPN transistor.)

[Reply #8 on:]

The emitter of the transistor should be connected to GND, not +5v.

IT WORKS!

I'll post up final build code/photos. All of you make this fun and it's the supporting environment which will keep attracting more tinkerers.

-S