Hi,I nabbed myself a breadboard to set up some test circuits. I had to put a 1k ohm resistor inline with the anode on the optoisolator, or all of the current flowed through that and the LED on the water softener wouldn't light. I then put a 470uF cap in parallel with the anode/cathode on the opto and it keeps the opto in a closed state *almost* until the LED blinks back on. I think I need a larger cap, but that was the largest one I had.
I should have it working after spending a bit more time on it with a couple of beers.
Please keep us updated. I'm planning to do the same thing with my water softener.
Thanks.
Randy