I had planned to use the Arduino output to power an optocoupler....this would allow power to a small ssrelay and that would allow power to a large ssrelay. The optocoupler plan failed as it would not work so I am wondering.... the big relay is 3 to 32v power and seems to draw almost nothing... Could I power it direct from the Arduino?
Suggest you confirm there is no connection from input to output.
Driving it wth a transistor is reasonable.
I can test continuity, it does function properly so far though. I have no idea how to use transistors to drive things.... I would need help with that. I have 3 pin transistors that I got from here.
There is the 3-32v relay I want to power... and a 12v smaller relay as well which I had hoped to be able to power. The plan was to use the optocoupler to power the 12 coil relay which would be able to power other relays but it would not work so now I am trying to find a way to power both types of relays either direct from the arduino or through a transistor....Help
larryd:
You probably could, as long as the output current is less that 20ma.
However, if it was me I would use a driver transistor.
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That would likely be the best idea but my know how in small circuit components is almost 0. I can do lots with relays and basic circuits but as soon as we get into transistors and optocouplers it is like ... I know none of this. I had it all thought out and started to set it up but the optocoupler did not do anything at all when I tested the circuit so I was kinda at a loss there. I have little transistors but no clue how to use them for this. Maybe I will look at that diagram again tomorrow but I am getting pretty worn out trying to get this to work.
The specs say that the relay is isolated with a photocouple and draws 12ma at 12v. When I tested it with my clamp meter It was too low current to detect.
If the SSR says "3 to 32 V input" then the optocoupler LED has a built in resistor, and you can drive it directly with an Arduino output. Connect the grounds, of course.
Shadow_Storm56:
I had planned to use the Arduino output to power an optocoupler....this would allow power to a small ssrelay and that would allow power to a large ssrelay. The optocoupler plan failed as it would not work so I am wondering.... the big relay is 3 to 32v power and seems to draw almost nothing... Could I power it direct from the Arduino?
That is the relay... I do have a few little transistors but I'm not sure if they would help. Thanks !
Do you want to control an AC or DC load? The SSR modules you provided the link for seem to control DC loads.
Anyway, a plain old solid state relay with a 3-32 volt AC or DC input will work fine driven directly from the Arduino. Internally, they just use an LED and photodetector to operate the SSR, so you already have isolation (no opto-isolator needed).
