Photovoltaic cell as an on/off switch - circuit help

AI Thread Summary
A user seeks assistance in creating a circuit to control a handheld camera using a photovoltaic cell as an on/off switch. The challenge lies in the fact that the camera switch requires a pulse signal for activation and deactivation, while the photovoltaic cell provides a continuous signal when exposed to light. Suggestions include using a comparator circuit with op-amps to convert the constant signal into pulse signals. The user expresses a willingness to learn more about the suggested components. The discussion highlights the intersection of mechanical engineering and basic electronics in practical applications.
n1ftyneil
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Photovoltaic cell as an "on/off" switch - circuit help

Hi all,

My first post here. I'm a Mechanical Engineer prodding my finger where it shouldn't be - circuits! I need help and I am hoping you folks can. PLEASE excuse the umb terminology - I don't know this world well!

I want to turn a handheld camera on/off with a photovoltaic cell and am trying to build a circuit to do so. My problem is this. The on/off switch that I have sends one pulse when you press it on and one when you press it off i.e there is not constantly a signal coming from that switch. However, with the photovoltaic cell, when the light is there, I obviously always have an signal coming and when the light is off, there is nothing.

I need help with what I need to wire inbetween to convert that constant signal so it is recognised as an "on" and that when that constant signal stops, it is registered as turning off.

I'm imagining this is pretty simple?

Many thanks!

Neil
 
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You could use a comparator circuit on the photocell output (using op-amps) to trigger a one-shot (using flip-flops) to give the pulses.
 


great! Thanks for the comments. No idea what that stuff is but I'm off to google it all.
 

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