In the early 80s I was an electronics engineer. I have since change my career path to computer programmer which I enjoy more but I'm a little rusty on my electronics now. I have a circuit already built that runs on 3 volts DC. It actually runs on a 3VD disc type watch battery. The circuit lights an LED if certain conditions are met. I am going to remove the LED and replace it with an optocoupler (or optoisolator). I want the optocoupler to switch on and off a lamp in my car. In other words, if the LED was lit, now the 12VDC lamp in my car will light insead. I have two problems I am trying to get past.
1) I need to power the 3VDC circuit. At this non standard voltage, I will need a variable voltage regulator that will work with the high amps of a car battery without frying ever couple of days. What is my best choice for a regulator?
2) I need to find a optocoupler that will handle the amps that are flowing to light the lamp. Most I have found are rated in mA and I'll fry the transistor. Does anyone know where I can find this part?
Thank you
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