Powering a 5V relay using Vernier SensorDAQ

[space_cowboy]

Hello,

I am trying to power a 5V relay using Vernier's SensorDAQ.  Would it be possible to send the signal using the board's digital I/O terminals?  If so, how would I do this?  I'm thinking that I need to use an analog terminal to get to 5V.

I'm sorry in advance, but circuitry and programming is not my expertise.

(Using LabVIEW 10)

[Jake_H]

Hello Space Cowboy,

Depending on your relay current requirements, you may or may not be able to control your relay directly with a digital write. It looks like the SensorDAQ has a current limit of 8.5 mA for each digital line, which may not be enough for your relay. If you need more current, you can use a digital write to drive a transistor and complete your circuit with the +5V pin on the SensorDAQ. As far as the programming goes, you will just need to use a Digital Write to control when your signal goes high/low and it will output 5V. If you're using LabVIEW, there are plenty of shipping examples in the Help files and online at ni.com that cover writing to a digital line.