Hi folks:

I would like to make a really simple thing happen. I'd like to have a PIC control an on-off switch for a battery operated fan. The power switch on the fan is simple, it simply completes the circuit to power the fan from 4xAA batteries (~6V).

Question is - how do I link an output pin of a PIC to some device which can switch this on and off. I've never used a relay, but suspect that might be what is needed? Is there anything simpler given the relatively low voltage and amperages?

What if I wanted to turn on a household light?

I think the PBP command might be the same as turning on or off an LED, but rather than an LED going HIGH or LOW it would be this exernal device which controls the power to the other device?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Tom