A 12v delay relay that activates from a switch

[mrbee]

Im looking for some advice on what component to buy for activating a light on an arcade cabinet.

I have one of these 12v rotating lamps used for construction vehicles, doctors on call and so on.

im building an aliens inspired power loader crate cabinet and the lamp will be placed on the very top.

what id like to happen is when someone inserts a coin, itl trigger the switch pulse, and that would send a signal to a 12v power relay which will turn the lamp on for a certain time and automatically turn off.

its just to give it some character and atmosphere.

ive had a look at this component here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193600567517?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=UdLxmPhjSYW&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=PWCfUs5fQ1G&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Just wondering if this would be suitable for this or if there is a better alternative?

thank you

[PL1]

I have one of these 12v rotating lamps used for construction vehicles, doctors on call and so on.

im building an aliens inspired power loader crate cabinet and the lamp will be placed on the very top.

what id like to happen is when someone inserts a coin, itl trigger the switch pulse, and that would send a signal to a 12v power relay which will turn the lamp on for a certain time and automatically turn off.

its just to give it some character and atmosphere.

ive had a look at this component here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193600567517?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=UdLxmPhjSYW&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=PWCfUs5fQ1G&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Just wondering if this would be suitable for this or if there is a better alternative?

Here are my concerns with this module:

1. It's a 12v module.
- If the trigger switch circuit is using 12v, it will fry your 5v encoder unless you use a zener diode to regulate it down to 5v the same way you connect a 12v coin recognizer mech to an I-Pac.
- If there is a 5v version of the module, get that one instead.  Use 5v for the operating power.  Connect 12v to COM and connect NO to beacon to Ground.

2. Not sure if this is an "active low" device like an I-Pac where ground triggers the input or if it is an "active high" device like some -- but not all -- of the "ZD" encoders.
- You can't combine "active low" and "active high" inputs, so you will need an encoder with the same type of inputs as the relay control input.
- There's no datasheet on the e-Bay listing and I didn't find any schematics or useful YouTube videos with this exact type of module so you might have to use a little trial and error to figure out which one it is.  I can walk you through the process.

3. As long as #1 and #2 are OK and the coin switch pulse is long enough to trigger the relay, it should do exactly what you want.
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Another thing you can do with the relay is wire the NC terminal to some white 12v LED cab lights to Ground.  This will give you white cab lights that are normally on, but when you coin up, the cab lights shut off and the beacon turns on.  To further enhance the effect, wire a strobe or some red LED cab lights in parallel with the beacon.


Scott

[mrbee]

Would this one be better? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006151364343.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.17.59d51802fa9FNl-
The coin mech I will be using is a TW-131

So if i connect the trigger line from the coin mech into this modules trigger connection, and also the trigger connection into a zero delay - you are saying that this would surge 12v into the zero delay unit?

I will have to use a multimeter when this arrives and see what voltage its outputting from the trigger point i think is best.
thank you for your advice!

I think this one ive linked is better than the module i linked first, mainly because it has an independent trigger connection. but will have to see.
If the coin mech data line isn't sending a strong enough signal, i will fit a manual lever switch so that the coin will fall and that switch and send the signal to the module and have the data line for the coin mech go to the zero delay unit.

[PL1]

This video gives you some good information about relay modules that might help you find one with the right features.

It focuses on Arduinos, but your coin recognizer signal will work like an Arduino output configured for "active low".

Would this one be better? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006151364343.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.17.59d51802fa9FNl-

Looks like this one is "active high".

This video of a similar module shows it being triggered by 12v at 4:00 - 4:15 so it is an "active high" device.
- I don't see any jumpers for changing the input between "active high" and "active low" mode on either of the boards.

The coin mech I will be using is a TW-131

That model looks like a standard 12v "active low" coin recognizer.

The good news is that these devices have an adjustable pule width so no worries about the coin signal not being long enough to trigger a relay.

You will need a 5v Zener diode if the input is 5v.
- Connect the cathode (band side) to the signal line.
- Connect the anode to ground.
- These connections reverse-bias the diode and allow it to work as a voltage regulator.
- The signal line to the left of the diode will be at 5v.

So if i connect the trigger line from the coin mech into this modules trigger connection, and also the trigger connection into a zero delay - you are saying that this would surge 12v into the zero delay unit?

The output on the coin recognizer is 12v so without a 5v zener diode to regulate the output down to 5v, it will fry any 5v encoder.

The larger problem is that your coin recognizer is "active low", but most ZD encoders are "active high".

To test if your ZD encoder is active high or low, put the black lead of your multimeter on the USB outer shell (ground) and put the red lead on one of the tied-together "common" input connector pins -- they are the ones closer to the edge of the board.
- If you have a 5v "common", it is an "active high" device.
- If you have a 0v "common", it is an "active low" device.

You can see the wide light-green "common" backplane running along the outer edge and connecting with the outboard pin of each wire pair connector on the near side of the board.


-----------------------

To use your active low coin recognizer with an active high ZD encoder and an active high time-delay relay, you need to add a second relay module that is active low as shown in the attached image.
- You can use a timer relay that is "active low".  Instead of connecting the 5v Trigger input to purple as shown, connect it to the green trigger input on the other relay -- this connection must be to the right of the Zener diode for it to be regulated down to 5v.
- To ensure that the top-center relay is "active low", get one that has a jumper to select "HIGH" or "LOW" as seen at 2:44 and 6:19-7:52 in the video at the top of this post.


Scott

[mrbee]

wow thank you for this.
i will check the zero delay board and see what voltage it is getting.
i didnt know anything about active high and active low!

always learning and very grateful for your advice!

[mrbee]

Just wondering Scott, in the circuit diagram you made, what delay module did you reference? was it the one with the digital display or without?
thank you

[PL1]

Just wondering Scott, in the circuit diagram you made, what delay module did you reference? was it the one with the digital display or without?
thank you

Either one you linked to will work.

Here's a good method for figuring out whether an input is active high or low and which terminal connects directly to the input.

If there is only one input terminal for the trigger:
- Set your multimeter to Volts DC.
- Put your multimeter black lead on a known shared ground like the metal outer shell of a USB housing.
- Put your multimeter red lead on the input terminal.
-- If it is at logic HIGH (5v) when not triggered, the input is active low.
-- If it is at logic LOW (0v) when not triggered, the input is active high.

If there are two input terminals/pins for the trigger:
- One input terminal will be at logic LOW (0v) and the other will be logic HIGH. (5v)
- Set your multimeter to Volts DC.
- Put your multimeter black lead on a known shared ground like the metal outer shell of a USB housing.
- Put your multimeter red lead on the input terminal that is at logic HIGH.
- Keep the leads where they are and trigger the input by pressing the button/shorting the two input terminals.
-- If it drops down to logic LOW, it is active low.  Connect the trigger line to the terminal where the red lead is.
-- If it stays at logic HIGH, it is active high.  Connect the trigger line to the other terminal.

As mentioned before:
- If the delay relay module you get works with a 5v active high trigger, use the purple line to trigger it.
- If it works with a 5v active low trigger, use the green line to trigger it.  If an input can only handle 5v, be sure to connect to the right of the Zener diode. i.e. after the voltage has been regulated down to 5v max.


Scott

[mrbee]

absolutely astounding reply. thank you so much for taking the time to explain this.
im waiting on the components to arrive, hopefully in a weeks time and begin wiring and testing.

in the mean time i am making an atx case for a pc out of an old army ammo case, this will be put inside the cabinet and the relay components will be inside a case that is suited for outdoor components to give it a bit of industrial/military feel to it. not that anyone else will see the insides mind you!

am looking forward to getting the components now and getting it set up. its going to bring a very geeky smile to my face seeing the amber light flash and spin when a coin is inserted.
its the simple things in life 😅