by JMACgyver » Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:48 am
Are the lights you are wanting to control AC?
If so, you will need some sort of boost circuit between the audio source and the relay.
Your relay lists as 3-24V, which with the voltage audio signals produce, will barely scratch the minimum threshold.
and don't forget, audio signals are AC, if you're connecting it to the DC input of the relay, your relay is getting only half the audio at any time, and will act funky (funky monkey!)
So now you know why only at the highest volumes will the audio's sinewaveform will trigger the relay.
Regardless, i would try a relay with a lower high-end voltage range, say, top it out at a 5v relay.
Maybe try a bridge rectifier at some point in ths process.
That being said, I may be wasting my breath if your lights are DC (like LEDs)
If that is the case, skip the relay and go with a transistor driver: add power source inline with the C or E leg, and bias the Base with the audio signal.
Let me know, and I'll try to edit this post with a schem if so.
Hope this helps!
--Electro--
aka The Other David
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"Of all the things I've lost,
I miss my mind the most"
- Ozzy Osbourne
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