Low-cost DO relay / use of USB 6009

[Alexander S. McGee]

Hey all,

I have searched for a solution to my issue with the usb 6009, but haven't been able to come up with anything at all. Basically, I want to be able to use the 6009 to flip a relay on and off to drive AC powered solenoid valves. However, the current ratings of the 6009 are too low to trigger ANY relay that I have been able to find. USB based bus limits things alot!

Does anyone know of a low-cost solution to my problem? I believe the current is 8.5 mA...What can this possiblly be used for besides triggering an LED?

Any help / suggestions are greatly appreciated.

-Alexander S. McGee

[Dennis_Knutson]

Few DAQ boards (USB or PCI) have the drive current for relays. Most are designed for driving TTL. You should be able to use an external relay driver IC connected to the digital lines of the USB6009. A commonly used IC is one in the ULN series. A couple of dollars at Radio Shack will get you up and running. Using an external driver will also isolate the USB6009.

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

Use an off the shelf solid state relay.

[CasperTesting]

Hi there,

I have run into the exact same scenario as Alexander.  I would like to go the Solid State Relay route, as it seems much more straight forward.  Will either of these 2 relays from Allied work?

http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/ProductDetail.asp?SKU=691-0507&SEARCH=&ID=&DESC=120D3&R=691%2D0507&...

http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/ProductDetail.asp?SKU=682-0018&SEARCH=&MPN=D1202&DESC=D1202&R=682%2...

If not, can anyone recommend a proper relay?  Thanks so much for any help and suggestions.

-Mike