I am working on converting a Power Wheels JEEP to RC. To make it more realistic I purchased a lighting controller for RC vehicles. It plugs into the receiver, deciphers the controls and direct what output channels to have on. This module runs on 5v and all my lighting and accessories are 12v. I need to increase the channel outputs to run at 12v. I don't know whether the outputs are positive or ground switched. I check continuity on the pins and found nothing. Is it safe try putting a PNP transistor on a output channel ground to act as a switch. I don't want to damage the control unit. Thanks!

 

5V would be referenced to ground.
If controls are on or off then you could use a transistor to drive the higher voltage loads.
That would be the open collector type drive.
I would try a NPN rated at 30V CE and the collector current depends on your load.

 

I can try an NPN I have laying around to test it out. I should have some 2n4401 or 2n2222a.

 

Using a NPN resulted in the lamps always being on as soon as the controller is powered. So I tried with a 2N3906. Worked perfectly!

 

So is it done ?

 

Indeed. On the breadboard it is working fine with an PNP. Just need to pick suitable transistor for respective loads.