I am looking for an Arduino-based solution for an automotive lighting application.
System Requirements:
Able to Operate in Automotive (Interior) Environment (12 +/- 2V DC Voltage)
Minimum 3 12 V DC Inputs (Preferably 6)
- Minimum of 3 12 V DC Outputs capable of operating standard automotive-style relays. (Preferably 6)
- Compact/Condensed Form-Factor
Finding an Arduino that runs on a 12 V power supply is simple, but finding one that can handle 12 V I/Os has proven tricky.
Using a relay shield for the outputs is straightforward enough, and would be a safe way to step up the output voltage and current (although current is of little concern, given I'm only going to powering the coil in a relay). But what to do about the inputs? I don't want a transistor on each input - that would get quite tedious and large very quickly. Using relays on both sides would work, but most shields are setup to receive coil activation signals from the Arduino and as such also can't handle 12 V inputs, so using a relay shield to step-down from 12 V to 5 V also seems problematic.
Is there an all-in-one I/O solution that can step-down incoming voltages for the board and step-up output voltages on the other side?
What are my best options? I'd prefer not to have to custom-make a shield for such a basic I/O application...
Any and all help is greatly appreciated!