What Are Optoisolators

From aya–(at)–arthlink.net Thu Jul 1 09:49:29 CDT 1999
From: “Gil Ayan”
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.amps,rec.audio.tubes
Subject: Re: LDR’s – what are they and where do I buy them?
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 10:32:29 -0700
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Jeff Stapleton wrote in message <7ldhmj$fd1$--(at)--fx2nh3.news.uu.net>…
>Mesa/Boogie uses LDR’s (apparently some sort of light triggered switch) in
>many of their circuit designs. What do these thingy’s do and where might I
>find them?

Go here:

http://www.egginc.com/Opto-110/vactrols.htm

and read all about the Vactec optoisolaters (used by Fender, Boogie,
Soldano, etc.).

What do they do? They are a photocell which gets triggered by an LED, in
essence achieving silent switching (hence the name, LDR – light dependent
resistor). They cost around $5-6 a piece, and can be ordered from Newark
Electronics, Magic Parts, etc.

Boogie uses both the VTL5C1 and VTL5C4 types, Soldano uses the VTL5C1
exclusively, etc.

Here’s a minute-sized picture of the bugger.

Good luck,

Gil

begin 666 vtlpic1.gif