relay question

[rfgordon]

OK, I've been searching all through the threads, and I still have a question about the way to wire/operate the relay--since I've never worked with them before.

When the relay is wired to a power source, do both legs of the DC power go to the relay contacts, and the footswitch grounds one? Or does the footswitch act to complete the circuit with the ground (0V) leg of the power?

If the relay works like a solenoid, then it is, essentially, unpowered when open, but upon application of the proper voltage, it closes. Is that right?

Sorry for the super stupid question, but I'm about to take the relay plunge....

[mlp-mx6]

You hook the +v to one side, and switch the ground connection on the other - either with the toggle switch or with the footswitch.

Make sense?

[rfgordon]

Thanks for the answer.

One more thing, I guess any diode, like a 1N4007, would work across the coil?

[keithrick]

Worked on mine. If you need any help draw up a layout and post it I had the same questions and once you "get" how the relay works it becomes pretty simple to wire up. Good luck!

[ampdoc1]

Just one more thing you might find usable; unlike a solenoid, most relays used in amps have both Normally Open (NO) and Normally closed (NC) contacts. The NC connects to the Common connection, normally. The NO connects to the Common when the control voltage is applied. Most amps use the NO connection to connect to the Overdrive stages with the thinking being that any noise in the relay will be less likely to be heard when the relay is ON while connected to the normal or less high gain stage.

ampdoc

[rfgordon]

Thanks, guys.

I hope to have this thing working by the end of the week. We shall see/hear.

[Fischerman]

Here's the relay I used in Dumble clone; PN: NTE R40-11D2-5/6. They are 5vdc relays so if you bridge rectify the heaters they should be about the right voltage. I used the 5vac rectifier filament winding for my switching power supply (using a bridge and a Voltage Regulator) and it switches silently...don't know if tapping off of the heaters will give you any noise or not. Make sure you add the reverse biased diode across the coil though.

I used an LM7805 Voltage Regulator so my voltage stays right at 5vdc. But you don't have to use the voltage regulator...just rectifying it and getting the right voltage should work.

I did mine like ampdoc mentioned, when I'm in OD with PAB ON then both relays are OFF. When I'm in Clean mode with no PAB both are ON.

EDIT: Dammit I hate when post something in the wrong thread...on the wrong board.

[ampdoc1]

Attached is a 3-relay hookup diagram that may be helpful. This uses the relay board I sell, but the wiring would work with any of the typical relays like Fischerman described. I use a 5V relay with a Full Wave Bridge Rectifier that puts out about 6VDC with all relays/LEDs connected as shown.
Hope this is helpful!