Hi, Could someone please help? I have a controller that has 1 x 12v dc positive feed and 4 x negatives feeds. The four negative feeds can be switched on an off.
The four negative feeds need to control 4 x 16 v ac outputs. I was thinking a 4 x relay module would be best, but how do I convert the polarity of the inputs? I do have a 4 x relay module with 5v inputs.
Thanks in advance

 

To be clear the controller has 1 x 12v positive terminal and 4 x 12v negative terminals. The negative terminals can be switched on on and off

 

I do have a 4 x relay module with 5v inputs.

If they are mechanical relays, their control coils would be insensitive to polarity.

 

If they are mechanical relays, their control coils would be insensitive to polarity.

But watch out if you are using plug-in relays, some have built in diodes. You need to get them the right way round.

 

How much current will your load require? You can probably guess that we are trying to glean enough information to figure out the best way to help you.

 

What you need us 4 relays with 12V coils, not a module that drives 4 relays with 5V logic signals as you described.

Just connect one terminal of each of the relays to the + output and the other terminals to the four separate - outputs.

 

If you insist on using the module you have, You would put a resistor (10K) to 5V for each input and connect it to the negatives of the controller. The 5V supply must share the same ground as the controller. Then use the NC contacts of the relays.

 

I was thinking about this on my walk after reading this thread. (before Bob's last post)

As an alternative to above:

1 LM7805
1 CD4049B
Some misc. parts...resistors, capacitors...etc.
Misc hardware...proto board, terminals...whatever.

The power for the regulator and the inverter chip comes from the source supplying the controller assuming that it's 12-Volts. (inverters via the regulator)
The low side outputs from the controller connect to the inverter inputs with a pullup resistor to 5-Volts.
The high side output from the controller remains open.

But it's not worth the bother when you can just get the proper 4 channel 12-Volt relay module, they are readily available.

 

Thank you all, I now have a solution - I have rewired my module to shortcut the diodes and the 5v input. The relays on the board are 12v, so I have connected directly to the relay inputs. Voila!

 

To be clear the controller has 1 x 12v positive terminal and 4 x 12v negative terminals. The negative terminals can be switched on on and off

Is the one +12 volt terminal the common for the other 4 terminals?? Or are there separate 12 volt sources within the controller??
AND " need to control 4 x 16 v ac outputs."???? does that mean 4 of some 16 volt AC outlets?? Or 64 AC outlets? or four groups of 16 outlets??How many outlets and what voltage and what current to each outlet.

A relay module that uses five volt inputs is not suitable for this application. In fact, NO MULTIPLE RELAY MODULE will be adequate for that application.

 

Thank you all, I now have a solution - I have rewired my module to shortcut the diodes and the 5v input. The relays on the board are 12v, so I have connected directly to the relay inputs. Voila!

Very good.

 

OK, rewiring the inadequate relay module was not an option I had anticipated. AND not something that is often done.
VERY GOOD!!!

 

OK, rewiring the inadequate relay module was not an option I had anticipated. AND not something that is often done.
VERY GOOD!!!

That’s because we did not know it had 12V relays.