Asked — Edited
Resolved Resolved by rb550f!

Triggering 12V Relays From Digital Ports

Hey guys, what's the best and safest way to trigger 12V Relays from the Digital pins? Thanks.:P

I tried a Tip120 Circuit with a 1K resistor, didnt work, then with a 2.2K resistor, didn't work. I have an LED hooked up to the digital pin so I know it works, the LED lights up.


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#1  

For EZB 4 i use one of these.

4 Channel 12V Relay Module Board Optocoupler LM2576 Power Supply Arduino

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With one of these. Logic Level Converter 3.3V to 5V TTL Level Converter Logic Bidirectional

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Both available on EBAY for cheap...Datasheets available online.

#2  

I use these and use 5 volt power from a dc to dc regulator.

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#3  

I am pretty sure you need to convert the 3.3 v EZB 4 digital output to 5v in order for it to work correctly.I could be wrong but i tried the 5v relay board you have and it would not toggle relay..

#4  

I was using three of the relays pictured above with an EZB(4) without issue. I have run into issues when using the UART to communicate with the later model Roombas though. Had better results using a logic level converter with TTL signals.

#5  

Thanks guys I was gonna use these relays to trigger my 12vdc window motors (they pull about 10 amps each) but I'm experimenting around with tip120's and I just made an Hbridge using four tip120s. I'm gonna test it tomorrow. I'm giving credit to rb550f since he responded first. Thanks!:D

Here's what I used:

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I changed the shorted out B1 and B2 to four separate digital pins. Here's what I did:

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What do you guys think? Am I gonna be able to apply PWM to this or no dice?

P.S. I'm using this setup for the shoulder motors, not for the drivetrain. I'm using a 300A electronic speed controller for that.

#7  

I have used one of these for up to 30 amps. For Arduino VNH2SP30 Stepper Motor Driver Module 30A Moto Shield Replace L298N

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It cost less than $14.00 same one that Sparkfun sells for $70.00

And yes you should be able to use pwm for control of your circuit.

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#8  

Doombot, On your cct, never enable D0 D2 or D1 D3 at the same time else you will see smoke as these will be short circuits. A lot of homebrew H bridges use an (logic) invertor on these lines so this can never happen.

Likewise a 1 1 (on B1 and B2) of the first cct will also cause much smoke, its easy to accidentally do this with a simple coding error, the invertor method averts this.

Tony