In response to a different thread that I started, another forum member (John Galt Line) offered to help me with a project to control Atlas switches and led indicator lights with an Arduino.
I have written the code for the Arduino, and now I am deciding how to send a signal from an insulated rail to the input pin of a shift register. I am thinking about using an AC input optocoupler that would be activated by either the insulated rail section or a momentary push button on my control panel.
Here is the plan (a crude drawing is also attached below):
- Connect 1 input pin of optocoupler to 10v AC post of transformer through 330 ohm resistor
- Connect 2nd input pin to insulated rail section and momentary switch
- Connect emitter pin of optocoupler to DC ground
- Connect collector pin to shift register input pin
- Pull shift register pin HIGH by connecting to 5v DC through 10k resistor
- Shift register pin will change to LOW when insulated rail or switch is activated
I would welcome any suggestions. Am I on the right track or is there a better way to do this?
