Hi Tony,
Try the data sheet for the MOC3011, I had a PIC controlling several
60 watt bulbs with an opto-isolator and triac.
http://support.tandy.com/support_supplies/doc66/66249.pdf
I believe figure 8 was the circuit I used.
I am sure some of the EE's will chime in.
I am a programmer not an EE :)

Good luck,
Kevin

>hi,
>
>I'm trying to figure out how to use my PIC to control an AC voltage.
>
>For example:
>
>I have a fountain that las low voltage AC lights, and a set of low voltage

>AC pumps (say 3 lights and 3 pumps, all run off of 12V AC, max all three
>lights and all three pumps would be on.  The pumps are rated at 3.6A).  I
>want to create a program to turn on and off lights and the pumps at my will.

>
>Obviously, my PIC circuit is a DC circuit.
>
>So, can anyone suggest what I might be able to do in order to control this

>AC voltage?  I don't need to funnel a lot of power, 60 watts (actually 43.2,

>but increasing a bit for safety) per "switch".
>
>So, the AC side would be 12V AC, the DC would be 5V DC for the PIC and
>either the LCD or perhaps LED's to indicate what is on and off.
>
>Any resources, sites, small samples would be most appreciated.
>
>-Tony

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