Hey all, I want to control a landing strip lighting system with an Arduino. I was thinking of using a digital relay, something like this: RadioShack.com Official Site - America's Technology Store
Does this seem reasonable? I can't find too much information on this relay, and what the digital side (the controls) of the relay look like. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
What you need is a solid state relay (google) typically they have 4 connections,2 for connection to the arduino - direct gnd and digital pin and 2 for mains - in and out.
Yes, should have been much more clear. It would be for a grass strip runway. The relay I am looking to get now is just for proof of concept, so a 5,10, or 15 AMP relay will be plenty to light up a couple of 60 watt bulbs. http://search.digikey.com/scripts/dksearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=CC1080-ND that one would even do 50 60 watt bulbs
holy crap...that's amazing. It even says the input current max is 25ma, so the Arduino should totally be able to handle that without external power supply, transistor, etc....
I have to say, I am LOVING the Arduino so far
I kind of assumed if he where planning on landing 747's he wouldn't be asking noob questions on here.....
SSRs are designed for switching mains from microcontroller type circuits, so they are the easiest way to go. They are also very cheap if you buy from Chinese vendors on Ebay. One slight proviso, if you took the bulbs out and poked around with the wiring you're likely to get a shock when they are turned off due to the small leakage current.