200mv pulse to 12v lock

looks like 80-100 mA

So I'm doing some homework on optocouplers now the lowest input voltage I've found is 3v but I feel like this might be the right track. It's just so difficult to find something for those low power inputs.

raulthree said:

So I'm doing some homework on optocouplers now the lowest input voltage I've found is 3v but I feel like this might be the right track. It's just so difficult to find something for those low power inputs.

Click to expand...

I suggest you are more specific, and tell us EXACTLY what the source is - as the wide range you suggest means you need an opamp to amplify it before you can do anything useful. 2V would be no problem, as you could switch a bipolar transistor easily with that - but then there's the confusing positive and negative thing.

I'm getting those numbers with a multimeter. I've measured the voltage as the system goes off and on about 40 times . The non transition voltage is 0. The numbers stated earlier encompass all of the readings.

raulthree said:

I'm getting those numbers with a multimeter. I've measured the voltage as the system goes off and on about 40 times . The non transition voltage is 0. The numbers stated earlier encompass all of the readings.

Click to expand...

You've still told us nothing?. And if you're measuring pulses/AC with a multimeter then it's completely meaningless anyway.

Does your multimeter have a AC peak reading function ? If so check its specs
in manual if you can capture 200 mS or less peaks.

If you have a f() generator set it up for 400 ms, 2.5 Hz, 2V and see what your meter reads.

An oscilloscope would be real handy for this measurement.

Use a bench power supply, set your meter to resistance, and connect it to NO contacts on
relay and see what V it energizes at.

These can all give you clues.

Your pulses are 2.2V, most opto couplers input LED turn on between 1 - 2 V, so thats not
an issue. Just limit the input current to datasheet spec allowed. Use a R to do this. Its output
current capability to feed the relay coil you need. And off state voltage on the transistor it
can tolerate.

Something like this -


Just go to digikey and use filters to get needed relay current thru output of coupler
and say 2X the 12V in system for output transistor breakdown margin. Transistor output.
100 mA for coil current, although there are many relays << 100 mA to turn on......



Regards, Dana.

danadak thank you so much for pointing me in the right direction. I have two optocouplers in reverse polarity going to a latching relay works perfectly for my situation.