Remote controlled Luxeon?

[zmoz]

I have one of those tiny remote control cars that are so big right now, although it has been smashed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif The electronics still work, however, and I would really love to use it to turn a Luxeon on and off. It works with 1 NiCd battery (some fraction of AAA) and gives 1.2v when you push the "go" button. How can I use that to drive a switch that will turn on/off a Luxeon?

 

[Doug Owen]

The voltage is too low for opto isolators (at least directly), you've little choice but to turn on a small signal transistor. From there, I'd drive a power one to switch on the Luxeon.

Depending on polarity, you'll need to start with PNP or NPN.

Doug Owen

 

[CNC Dan]

If your luxeon is being driven by a boost circuit, the chip may have a shutdown pin that is not being used( or is tied to the B+ to keep it on). You could apply the 1.2v to that pin to switch the boost circuit on and off.

Check with dat2zip.

 

[Ferrous]

Maybe this is marketable. A remote controlled LS flashlight with a smaller light on the remote. Make 'em talk both ways too.

 

[IsaacHayes]

Hehe hehe! I can just imagine it now. Hiding a 5w Cyan somewhere sneaky and blasting intruders! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Or how about laying it out in a field, going with your friend on a walk and secretly switching it on/off. He'd think there were aliens out there!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif