Apex varspd output to a solid state relay

[User]

Hi there

Anyone know if the varspd outputs on a classic can put out 3-5 volts to act as a signal high input on a solid state relay?

Looking to use a VO to have a varspd port control a relay to switch on some leds.

Thanks!

 

[Big G]

Bump

 

[User]

My research is leading me to believe they are capable of 0-10v, up to 20mA. I cut an old network cable up, found the ground and 0-10v for the varspd1 port and measured 10v when I used fusion to switch it on. I then linked the outlet to my alarm outlet and verified that I git the 10v out the varspd1 when I manually switch the alarm on.

So far so good

I then hooked up a short section of led tape to the wires, and it lit up indicating I got some current out.

The current was not enough to switch a regular 12v automotive relay that I had laying around.

I could order a mechanical 6v auto relay (spdt) but I doubt there’s enough juice to trigger the coil either.


I’ve found some opto-isolated 6v relay boards on amazon, but they have the signal ground and the vcc ground pins tied together. I need to find some boards with completely isolated coil input and power output.


I read a thread by @RussM that was trying this but it was light on specific details due to a liability issue with potentially frying your apex if hooked up wrong

Anyway- I was hoping I could use them to trigger alarm state leds, but I might go back to my original plan and run a spdt 12v relay off one eb8 outlet, switching between a red tape and a green tape powered from a second eb8 outlet. Seems kinda clunky to use two outlets when I have unused varspd x 4 on my head unit

 

[User]

I guess I’ll talk to myself for a bit...

A few more hours led me to find a source for 5v opto-isolated relay boards with 3v 6mA/5v 11mA coil trigger voltage and completely isolated power and signal grounds.

Perfect for the 0-10v 20mA output of the varspd ports.

I have a board with 2 independent spdt (NO, NC) relays coming, to give me 4 possible signal states from 2 varspd inputs.

Plan is to power the relays with an old iPhone charger cube and the output side (switching ground) with a 12v 5a power brick. I could buy a 12 v version of the relay board and power it from the same supply as the leds, therefore only using one outlet, but i like the independent power since I can add a motion sensing pass through on the led power to only turn them on when someone is in the fishroom. That way, I’m not powering leds constantly even if no one is in there to see.

 

[User]

Figured this out, and it’s possible to turn the varspd ports into an eb4.

But I’m going kiss and will control my led warnings with 2 eb8 outlets and a 12v
Relay instead.