Multiple LEDs...

I was just thinking about powering multiple LEDs via the LED Output on my Viper 500 brain...now, if I remember correctly, the LED output isnt enough power to trigger a relay...am I correct in this assumption? if I am , how would I go about doing this? I want to power up to a dozen extra LEDs, but want everything in sync with the alarm flashes and such... thanx for your responses...

The most that you can run off of a viper brain is five led's wired in series (that is what they recommend). They make a led sequencer that has five with it that may support up to 25 led's but, but I have never done this with this piece so you should check with dei on that.Certified Security Specialist

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so there is no other way for me to do this? that sounds pretty odd to me...how much power does it really take to trigger a relay? would a line driver of sorts work for such a task?

Power isn't really the problem, the problem is that the output is two volts.Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

yes, but correct me if I am wrong here, but a line driver takes a signal and amplifies it...like your head unit pre-outs which are typically under 2 or 3 volts and can amplify the output to 15 volts (some line drivers anyway...) am I way off base in my theory?

Check out what the output power is for the Led.. from the alarm cpu. if it is more than 50 milliamps than yes,just add a relay and some resistors and it will work just like you want it to..A relay requires 50 milliamps and you can use it as a switch. Good luck...

That is apples and oranges. Output from a alarm is dc, output from a radio is ac. You can try using a relay and see if it will activate, but it wouldn't with my viper. As far as a relay activitating at 50mA( I actually think it is a bit higher then that) that may be true at 12v but not at 2V. You may be able to use a transistor to make this work, but I haven't used them so I couldn't help on that.Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

thanx for your efforts auex...your input is appreciated...I am just starting to read the MECP study guide and alot of my knowledge has yet to be developed... thats probably why some of my ideas are a little off base, heh...

Not a problem. Keep reading and trying things out.Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.