Use the image as an orientation preview and the hole-by-hole tables below as the authoritative wiring instructions. Verify each connection before applying power.
Purpose
This is the physical breadboard layout for one PC817 test channel only. The Valvetronic remote stays disconnected during this test.
Breadboard Orientation
Put the breadboard lengthwise with the center trench running vertically.
Row letters A-E are on the left of the center trench; F-J are on the right.
Place the PC817 across the center trench.
Look at the PC817 from above with its dot/notch toward the top of the breadboard.
Exact PC817 Placement
Table
PC817 pin
Function
Breadboard hole
Pin 1
LED anode
E20
Pin 2
LED cathode
E21
Pin 4
Collector
F20
Pin 3
Emitter
F21
Top-view orientation:
Text
TOP OF BREADBOARD
dot / notch
v
left side center gap right side
E20 Pin 1 | | Pin 4 F20
E21 Pin 2 | | Pin 3 F21
BOTTOM OF BREADBOARD
Important: DIP pin numbering runs counterclockwise. With the dot/notch at the top, pin 1 is upper-left, pin 2 lower-left, pin 3 lower-right, and pin 4 upper-right.
Control Side - Left Half Only
Use the M5Stack/control-side source or a separate regulated 3.3 V bench source.
Put one lead of the 470 ohm resistor into A20. This shares a row with PC817 pin 1 at E20.
Put the other resistor lead into any unused row, suggested A15.
Connect the 3.3 V control wire to the resistor lead at row 15.
Connect control ground to A21. This shares a row with PC817 pin 2 at E21.
White or green: SW_HIGH collector test node at row 20.
Black on the right side only: isolated remote/test negative.
Complete Hole-by-Hole Table
Table
Connection
From
To
PC817 input LED
U1 pin 1
E20
PC817 input return
U1 pin 2
E21
PC817 emitter
U1 pin 3
F21
PC817 collector
U1 pin 4
F20
470 ohm resistor
A15
A20
GPIO/control signal
source output
B15
M5/control ground
source ground
A21
10.11 kohm resistor
J15
J20
Remote/test positive
battery positive
I15
Remote/test negative
battery negative
J21
Meter red probe for output test
meter red
any open hole G20-J20
Meter black probe for output test
meter black
any open hole G21-J21
Rows 15 are arbitrary tie points. Any unused rows may replace them as long as each resistor still remains in series and does not accidentally short across a connected row.
There must be no jumper between the left and right ground rails. The only coupling between the two sides is light inside the PC817.
Multimeter Check Before Power
Set the meter to resistance or continuity mode and remove both power sources.
Check between M5/control ground and remote/test negative. It should read open circuit/no beep.
Check row E20 to PC817 pin 1 and E21 to pin 2. Each should have continuity through the breadboard row.
Check row F20 to pin 4 and F21 to pin 3. Each should have continuity.
Ensure the 470 ohm resistor measures close to 470 ohms and the pull-up measures close to 10.11 kohms when removed from the board or isolated from parallel paths.
Powered Measurements
Set the meter to DC volts.
GPIO/Input OFF
Red probe: PC817 pin 4 row, such as J20.
Black probe: PC817 pin 3 row, such as J21.
Expected result: approximately the isolated battery voltage.
GPIO/Input ON at 3.3 V
LED test: red probe on E20, black probe on E21. Expect roughly 1.0 to 1.3 V.
Input-resistor test: red probe at row 15 GPIO side, black probe at row 20 pin-1 side. Expect roughly 2.0 to 2.3 V.
Output test: red probe on J20, black probe on J21. Expect typically below approximately 0.3 V with the 10.11 kohm pull-up.
What Not to Connect Yet
Do not solder or connect the Valvetronic remote S1/S2 contacts yet.
Do not connect truck 12 V anywhere on this breadboard.
Do not connect Joying KEY1 or KEY2.
Do not join the two ground domains.
Matching Flux Schematic
The project schematic uses:
J1: GPIO_3V3 and M5_GND.
R1: 470 ohm input resistor.
U1: PC817C DIP-4.
J2: REMOTE_3V27 and REMOTE_GND.
R2: 10.11 kohm test pull-up.
J3/TP2: SW_HIGH output measurement.
The schematic and this layout describe the same circuit; the schematic shows electrical intent, while this file specifies physical breadboard holes.