Having two variable voltage sources, how drive current only from the larger one at every time?

Question

Suppose I have a circuit I want to power, nominally 6V DC, 500 mA max. The circuit could be modelled as purely resistive (an incandescent bulb, for example).

Let Vx and Vy be two different voltage sources. Each of these sources might oscillate around 6.2V and 0V (just an hypothetical value, meaning "slightly above nominal, but not much").

I would like to drive current only from the highest voltage source at every time, while turning the other off. The switching between them should be transparent to the powered circuit, so as it doesn't get voltage drops.

I have seen similar problems being solved with two diodes, but my proposed circuit could not afford the voltage drop, since most the time the max available voltage would be very near 6V or slightly below it.

I have thought about using an operatioal amplfier, perhaps combined with, say, some Mosfet(s), but I don't know how exactly that would be done, or if this problem has some better solution.

Also I would like a simple solution with "a handful of readily available generic components" instead of some pre-made module.

Answer 1

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

Figure 1. Higher voltage power selector.

A relay offers a means of selecting the power source with very low voltage drop across its contacts.

• The comparitor compares V1 and V2 and will energise the relay if V2 > V1. The relay contacts change over and V2 is passed straight through to the output.
• R6 provides a little hysteresis to prevent rapid switching on minor changes in voltage. Increase the value of R6 to reduce the hysteresis.
• You may wish to add 100 uF or so to the output to prevent dips during relay switching.

The LM324 comparitor should do the trick.

Figure 2. Quad relay board.

A single relay version of these 5 V relay boards sold for Arduino, Raspberry Pi, etc., expansion should do the trick. Some have the transistor and base resistor or an opto-isolator on board. Tons available on eBay. Alternatively a 5 V relay will do the trick.

I forgot D3 to protect Q1 from inductive spikes when switching off the relay. Added now.