Hey I’m looking for a 5V relay to power a 12v blower. I’ve been looking on Amazon and all of the ones I’ve seen take a negative, positive, and signal input. Aux just has positive and negative, any advice on how to make this work, or should I be looking for a different 5V relay?
I made this work with a 12v automotive relay for Airsoft, but not sure how to make this work when a signal wire appears to be needed.
Relay for aux port
Re: Relay for aux port
Hi Jib, this is exactly the use case that the I/O ports were included on the TCB. See the relay section of the I/O ports page in the Wiki.
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Re: Relay for aux port
So right now I am using the aux port to power a normal sized blower, using the timer under Flash, selecting auto flash with cannon. So I can say when the cannon is triggered, blow for about 100 milliseconds.
How would I achieve something similar with the IO port, where can I specify for it to be on for a specific amount of time? Use blink, or on and off, or toggle?
How would I achieve something similar with the IO port, where can I specify for it to be on for a specific amount of time? Use blink, or on and off, or toggle?
Re: Relay for aux port
See the "Lights & I/O" tab of OP Config. First set the Direction of one of the I/O ports to "Output" (they default to Input) then define the "Pulse" time you want, say 100 milliseconds, and then select the "External Output - Pulse" function on the Functions tab and assign it to whatever trigger you want. If you want it to Pulse when you fire the Cannon, there isn't a trigger for Cannon Fire, but you can just assign it to the same trigger that you are using for the cannon - for example a two position switch or whatever.
Here is the OP Config page on the I/O ports.
Here is the OP Config page on the I/O ports.
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Re: Relay for aux port
Yeah, I originally thought pulse, but then this was a little confusing to me at first read
“the fourth function, “Pulse,” will briefly set the output pin to the state opposite its default. For example, if you had set Port A to Output with Default High, the pin will be kept high (+5 volts) normally and the Pulse command would cause it to briefly be held low (to ground). If you set the output to Default Low, the pin will be kept low (at ground) normally and the Pulse command would cause it to be temporarily brought high (+5 volts).”
Reading this again, would I set the output to default low, then set the pulse time for say 100 milliseconds. So then when triggered it would raise the positive pin to 5V, causing the relay circuit to close and activate the air pump? Or is it the signal pin that’s getting 5V?
“the fourth function, “Pulse,” will briefly set the output pin to the state opposite its default. For example, if you had set Port A to Output with Default High, the pin will be kept high (+5 volts) normally and the Pulse command would cause it to briefly be held low (to ground). If you set the output to Default Low, the pin will be kept low (at ground) normally and the Pulse command would cause it to be temporarily brought high (+5 volts).”
Reading this again, would I set the output to default low, then set the pulse time for say 100 milliseconds. So then when triggered it would raise the positive pin to 5V, causing the relay circuit to close and activate the air pump? Or is it the signal pin that’s getting 5V?
Re: Relay for aux port
There are three pins on the I/O port - Ground, +5v, and Signal. The first two are always Ground and +5v, it's only the Signal that is being pulsed. The Ground and +5v provide power to your 5 volt relay, and the Signal is what turns it on (assuming you use one of those relay modules such as I mentioned earlier, which accept a signal input).
Note that some relay modules turn on when the Signal is low, and some when the Signal is high, that is why we have the option to select the direction of the Pulse. If your relay module turns on with a high signal, then you're right, you'd set the output to Default Low, then the pulse will drive Signal high for the time you specified.
By the way, it sounds like you might be thinking of using all this for a barrel smoke effect. There is a page on the Wiki that discusses a barrel smoke implementation that uses a dual-relay module, letting you control also when the barrel smoker heating element is on. See here.
Note that some relay modules turn on when the Signal is low, and some when the Signal is high, that is why we have the option to select the direction of the Pulse. If your relay module turns on with a high signal, then you're right, you'd set the output to Default Low, then the pulse will drive Signal high for the time you specified.
By the way, it sounds like you might be thinking of using all this for a barrel smoke effect. There is a page on the Wiki that discusses a barrel smoke implementation that uses a dual-relay module, letting you control also when the barrel smoker heating element is on. See here.
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Re: Relay for aux port
Yes I did see that article in the wiki. For now I just have the heater on all the time as that is simpler. I have an idea of using three way switch power switch on the PWM side of the RX that is hooked up to the TCB to control which heater is on depending on what weapon I have selected (120mm, 7.62mm, or .50 cal using a three way toggle on the TX).
Thanks for your help here and clarification on pulse. What you said makes sense to me now.
On an unrelated note, the Abrams is just about finished electronics wise (for now) and I hope to have a nice video on what I did this weekend.
Thanks for your help here and clarification on pulse. What you said makes sense to me now.
On an unrelated note, the Abrams is just about finished electronics wise (for now) and I hope to have a nice video on what I did this weekend.
Re: Relay for aux port
That's great, I'll be looking forward to seeing the video over on your main thread. You've come a long way with this model and I think you've got about as many gizmos-per-square inch in there as it is possible to have. 
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