Making a cheap 12v trigger unit?

[avnetguy]

When I was walking through the store I saw some Noma electric timers that use a photocell to activate. When I got home I had an idea that I could hook up a semi-bright LED (~50ma worth) to the 12v output on my receiver and that would activate the noma plug outlet to turn on other gear.

Providing the LED would be bright enough that would make a cheap isolated remote trigger unit for under $20. Anyone ever tried this out?

Steve

 

[Adam]

Steve,

Cool idea! If you want other things to turn on and off with your receiver (and not something fancier than some receivers can do with triggers), you could check this out.

 

[avnetguy]

Thanks Adam, I saw that thread and others with a few complaints that they didn't operate correctly depending on the amp draw. Maybe when one of those photocell units goes on sale I'll test one out.

Steve

 

[TLS Guy]

When I was walking through the store I saw some Noma electric timers that use a photocell to activate. When I got home I had an idea that I could hook up a semi-bright LED (~50ma worth) to the 12v output on my receiver and that would activate the noma plug outlet to turn on other gear.

Providing the LED would be bright enough that would make a cheap isolated remote trigger unit for under $20. Anyone ever tried this out?

Steve

Why don't you order a 12 volt relay. That will be cheaper still and a lot more reliable.

 

[avnetguy]

Why don't you order a 12 volt relay. That will be cheaper still and a lot more reliable.

I don't think it would be cheaper and it would be more time to put together. As to more reliable, I don't see why it would be as the photoeletric unit is going to be relay based.

I did find out that the $15 unit is only rated up to 8 amps which should be good enough for most smaller amps and maybe they have a higher current model.

Steve