OpenSprinkler Forums Hardware Questions OpenSprinkler Pi (OSPi) Need a 1 min. help on a customization please

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  • #33934

    4world
    Participant

    Hi Ray,

    I want to drive the OSPi Ver 1.3 triac from my own +5V Open Collector output (ULN2803). Is it safe to connect the gate directly to the OC output without the 220 ohm resistor (with a 500 ohm pullup to +5V)? See partial circuit attached.

    I am concerned about whether the gate will handle a direct short to GND.

    Please help ASAP. Thank you for your time.

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    #33937

    Ray
    Keymaster

    Is there any reason you want to use ULN2803 to drive the triac? The triac functions like a transistor (except it’s switching AC current instead of DC). It can be switched by logic level signals. If you want isolation you can use an opto-isolator, but I don’t know why you need ULN2803 (which is typically used to drive steppers and motors) to drive it.

    #33940

    4world
    Participant

    I am using the ULN2803 (which has 8 Darlington pairs) for other functions (like driving relays) and since I had a spare Darlington left on it, I thought of using it to drive the triac.

    I don’t care about isolation so this will work fine. Just need to know if the gate will sink high amounts of current into the OC output when it’s active (low) without a series resistor. If so, I will use the series resistor but that will add 220+500 ohms to +5V when the ULN2803 output is high — hopefully that won’t be insufficient current into the gate of the triac.

    I am ready to cut traces and solder, so the above answer would greatly help me.

    Thank you.

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OpenSprinkler Forums Hardware Questions OpenSprinkler Pi (OSPi) Need a 1 min. help on a customization please