Driving a SSR from 110VAC ?

[Dave Wave]

I have a device that outputs a control signal (110VAC at 1 amp max). I need to use that signal to turn a larger load on/off. I want to use a SSR to do this, so I got this one from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/25A-DC-AC-Solid-State-Relay/dp/B005KPGPU4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350381679&sr=8-1&keywords=Lightobject

My first thought was to use a xformer and FW rectifier to get a DC control voltage, but that seemed a bit clunky.

I remember reading about driving an LED from 110V:

http://homemadecircuitsandschematics.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-make-simplest-1-watt-led-driver.html

I am assuming the SSR is something like a fancy optocoupler, so can I drive it just like a led?


Thoughts?

Any help appreciated!


-Dave

[PA0PBZ]

I found the following info:

• Input Data:
  Operating Voltage 3~32VDC
  Min. ON / OFF Voltage ON > 2.4V , OFF < 1.0V
  Trigger Current 7.5mA / 12V

So it is certainly not "like a LED"

[Rerouter]

why not use an AC relay? or is zero crossing a feature you are chasing?

[SeanB]

You get SSR's with mains input specially for this use. You might find the input spec is typically 60-265VAC at 30mA, and the output is isolated and typically is able to switch 25-30A.

You just have to be careful that the output you have is not a SSR itself, as then you will have to make sure the off state current is not going to trigger the power switch module. Normally you just use a 10W power resistor across the power switch inputs such that it draws 50ma or so to make sure the off state voltage is well below the power SSR minimum switch voltage.