MONK MAKES Elay For Micro Bit V1F Instructions
- June 9, 2024
- MONK MAKES
Table of Contents
Elay For Micro Bit V1F
Instructions
WARNING
This relay must NOT be used to switch high voltage AC. The maximum voltage for
this product is 16V!
INTRODUCTION
The Monk Makes Relay for micro:bit is a solid-state (no moving parts) relay
that allows an output of a micro:bit to turn things on and off.
A micro:bit can turn an LED on and off directly, but anything more powerful
requires something like a relay or a transistor. Using a transistor to switch
something on and off requires a shared ground connection with the micro: bit
and a knowledge electronics that you or your students may not be ready for.
The Monk Makes Relay for micro:bit is much easier to use, acting like a simple
micro:bit controlled switch.
This relay can be used to switch low voltage devices such as light bulbs, a
motor, a small heating element or even a string of 12V LED lighting. The
voltage needs to be kept under 16V, but the relay will automatically protect
itself against too much current.
- Solid-sate relay (up to 1 Amp continuous, 2A for short periods less than a minute)
- Low voltage (< 16A) DC or AC
- Active LED indicator
- Re settable ‘poly fuse’ to protect against over-current
CONNECTING YOUR MICRO:BIT
The Relay requires just two connections to the micro: bit. One to GND (ground)
and one to whatever pin is to be used to control the relay’s switching action.
When attaching the alligator clips to the micro:bit, make sure that the clips
are perpendicular to the board so that they are not touching any of the
neighbouring connectors on the micro: Bit edge connector.
Here’s an example of how you could wire up a Monk Makes Relay for micro:bit to
turn an old fashioned light bulb on and off.
SWITCHING INDUCTIVE LOADS
If you plan to use your relay to switch inductive loads, such as solenoids or
motors, then there is a risk that ‘back EMF’ voltage spikes may damage the
Relay for micro: bit.
When driving inductive loads, a ‘fly back’ or ‘kickback’ diode across the
terminals of the solenoid or motor, as shown below.
BLOCKS EXAMPLE
To control things with the Relay for micro:bit you need to turn the GPIO
pin of the micro:bit using code like this. This example turns the relay on for
half a second, off for half a second and then repeats.
MICRO PYTHON EXAMPLE
Here’s how you would do the same thing in Micro Python.
SUPPORT
You can find the Product’s information page here:
https://monkmakes.com/mb_relay and if you need further support, please email
[email protected].
MONKMAKES
For more information on this kit, the product’s home page is here:
https://monkmakes.com/mb_charger
As well as this kit, Monk Makes makes all sorts of kits and gadgets to help
with your micro:bit and Raspberry Pi projects. Find out more, as well as where
to buy here: https://monkmakes.com you can also follow Monk Makes on Twitter
@monkmakes.
References
- Home | MonkMakes
- Home | MonkMakes
- micro:bit - electronic kits | MonkMakes
- micro:bit - electronic kits | MonkMakes