Hello. I am trying to use this relay (RS# 275-218) with the digitalWrite on my Arduino board. My problem is that it needs 12V 130mA. Should I use another relay to fire this relay?
Relay
Thanks
Hello. I am trying to use this relay (RS# 275-218) with the digitalWrite on my Arduino board. My problem is that it needs 12V 130mA. Should I use another relay to fire this relay?
Relay
Thanks
See this:
Basically, you want to use a transistor to control the relay - DO NOT leave out the base resistor R1 or the snubber diode D1 - they are necessary and needed to protect the Arduino and transistor (respectively).
No, use an NPN transistor such as 2N2222 to activate the relay coil.
+12V to coil+, coil- to transistor collector, transistor emitter to ground. Diode across the coil pins, cathode on the +12V pin.
Arduino output pin to 220 ohm resistor to transistor base.
dang, I type too slow ...
Thank you both very much! ![]()
You also CAN use PNP transistors, like in the schematic here: http://arduino-direct.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=155
If you were going to run a LOT of relays, Arduino can Sink more total current than it can source. I think...
I find NPNs so much easier to visualize - you give them a high, they sink current to within 0.5-0.7V of ground. PNPs seem to have more voltage loss across them.
I think PNPs work ok if the base voltage can be the same as the High Emitter voltage.
But when that voltage is 12V and the base is only 5V, that doesn't work.
With NPN, the collector can go right up there and it doesn't matter to the base voltage.
That's why it easier to sink current with an NPN vs sourcing current from a PNP.
CrossRoads:
I find NPNs so much easier to visualize - you give them a high, they sink current to within 0.5-0.7V of ground. PNPs seem to have more voltage loss across them.
My reference book uses npn many examples and only one or two with pnp. ![]()
I found the common-emitter (CE) circuit tends to stick to my brain pretty well.
Thanks again everyone for the additional replies. This is what I drew up with your help! Let me know how it looks. I think I tied everything together correctly.
Looks good.
Thank you! ![]()