120 volt applicaitons?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Relays
Forum Discription: Relay Diagrams, SPDT Relays, SPST Relays, DPDT Relays, Latching Relays, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=45464
Printed Date: May 04, 2024 at 4:13 AM

Topic: 120 volt applicaitons?

Posted By: Lowron
Subject: 120 volt applicaitons?
Date Posted: December 18, 2004 at 12:29 AM

Im trying to wire a 12 volt switch to a set of 120 volt flourscent lights. Trick is that the switch has a 12 volt light in it. I figured I would use a relay. Is this possible?? I want the switch to light up when the lights come on. Do I need special relays for this?

Replies:

Posted By: 2intrigues
Date Posted: December 26, 2004 at 11:46 PM

If the switch has a 12 volt incandescent light in it, you can use a small 12.6 volt filement transformer to convert the 120 VAC power being applied to the flourescent lights to 12.6 VAC for lighting the switch (AC or DC doesn't matter for incandescent lamps). If the switch light is actually an LED, you will need to put a diode (like a 1N4007 in series with the transformer output.

You should be able to find a suitable transformer in Radio Shack.

Posted By: 2intrigues
Date Posted: December 26, 2004 at 11:52 PM

Here's a link for a transformer...

https://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F002%5F016%5F000&product%5fid=273%2D1365

Of course, it might just be simpler and cheaper to replace the switch with something using a 120VAC neon light (if a lit swich is important to your application).

Posted By: 2intrigues
Date Posted: December 27, 2004 at 8:46 AM

If you want, you can use a relay with a 120VAC coil. Just wire the coil of the relay in parallel with your flourescents. Wire 12 VDC through the N.O. contacts of the relay to the light in the switch. Here's a link to a suitable relay from Radio Shack...

https://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F011%5F002%5F013%5F000&product%5fid=275%2D217

Posted By: Lowron
Date Posted: December 27, 2004 at 10:44 PM

Thanks for the links!

Print Page | Close Window