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r s asked in Science & MathematicsEngineering · 10 years ago

Turning voltage on/off to trigger another device?

I have 2 devices. One is a trigger that when switched on, sends out 5volts and triggers another device, in this case a video recorder. When I turn off the switch, the video recorder is supposed to turn off, but it doesn't.

I don't know much about electronics. A friend of mine told me the switch sends out 5 volts which triggers the camera and therefore everything is working correctly. I have several of these devices. In all except one turning the switch on triggers the camera, which then records. Turning the switch of makes the camera stop recording.

Am I correct in assuming there is something wrong with the connection between the two devices for the set that does not stop the camera from recording when the switch is turned off? If all it does is send 5volts when switched on, should it not cut-off those 5 volts when I switch it off?

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  • 10 years ago
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    "If all it does is send 5volts when switched on, should it not cut-off those 5 volts when I switch it off"

    No, it is entirely possible that the ON signal is latched inside the camera and it needs a different signal to turn it off. Did it occur to you to get the manuals for the camera and read them?

    In fact, most video cameras have a start button and a stop button so you don't have to hold the button down to record. The remote connections may well mimic that.

    edit. Or you press the start button a second time for stop.

    Which raises the possibility that you have to turn off the +5, wait a bit and turn it back on to cause a stop.

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