Well, this is a design problem, and as of right now, the only specs. are that it HAS TO have 250mA operating coil current, and it is a 12Vdc relay. Based on those numbers, that puts the coil resistance at 48 Ohms. Therefore would it be safe to assume that my 12v dc relay, at 250mA, will in fact drop a full 12v across the coil when active?
The reason I ask, is because, if I have a 13v dc power supply to run the relay, and it is a 12v relay @ 250mA, then 13v - 12v = 1v. This would be my base to collector voltage on the NPN transistor used to switch the relay correct?
Or is the entire voltage applied to the relay, regardless, going to drop on the relay when active? (I.E. if I am using a 13vdc supply, the entire 13v will be dropped across it?)
Wow, I think I am making this WAAYYYY over complicated.
Thanks for the quick response Mike.
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