Newbie (now v1.2): Solenoids & Interfaces
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Posts: 46,084
Greetings,
Following up on the posts regarding designing a circuit for the rapid
sequential firing of 5 or 6 solenoids, rated @ 120VAC, 12a. In
attempting to figure out a method of interfacing the Stamp with the
solenoids, I came across a relay board which looks similar to something
I had in mind to try to construct (note: these designs are only used
as a reference example of a class of circuit boards that might be
useful):
http://www.pond.ie/TechInfo/uStack/uS-RL4_Manual.html
Of course, I would need 6 relays instead of 4.
These relays are only rated @ 5a, so used alone, they would not be
suitable for my design unless interfaced with an additional set of
higher rated relays. Is that more or less the best way to proceed? Or
is that too excessive?
Is there a better way to interface utilising components I am unfamiliar
with(better reliability, costs, or efficiency) i.e. "solid state" or
other?
One concept which remains fuzzy for me is a DRIVER circuit, for ex.,
as pictured below (for reference only):
http://www.pond.ie/TechInfo/uStack/uS-DD4_Manual.html
"Each Darlington driver is configured as a low side switch,
a "freewheel" diode protects the driver from inductive
transients encountered when driving inductive loads
such as motors, solenoids and relays".…
Regarding drivers, the text description seems to recommend this type of
circuit for solenoids and inductive loads. Should I be looking to
construct a circuit along these lines , rather than a relay-type board
(or should it ideally incorporate both into a unified
design)…OR…something entirely different, such as the solid state
circuits I am hearing so much about.
I did read on Al's BASIC Stamp FAQ ) in section 2.5 (thank you AL, I've
been studying it the last few days and it has been priceless) ideas
utilising a power MOSFET as a switch. I've only ever used simple built
relays, but if there is a better solution I'm all ears.
Thanks again to everyone for all the invaluable assistance!
I am trying to arrive at a suitable circuit and interface so I can
place an initial order for parts and start tinkering.
The Stamp is revealing itself to be an exciting little peice of
technology.
Cheers,
-Neal
Following up on the posts regarding designing a circuit for the rapid
sequential firing of 5 or 6 solenoids, rated @ 120VAC, 12a. In
attempting to figure out a method of interfacing the Stamp with the
solenoids, I came across a relay board which looks similar to something
I had in mind to try to construct (note: these designs are only used
as a reference example of a class of circuit boards that might be
useful):
http://www.pond.ie/TechInfo/uStack/uS-RL4_Manual.html
Of course, I would need 6 relays instead of 4.
These relays are only rated @ 5a, so used alone, they would not be
suitable for my design unless interfaced with an additional set of
higher rated relays. Is that more or less the best way to proceed? Or
is that too excessive?
Is there a better way to interface utilising components I am unfamiliar
with(better reliability, costs, or efficiency) i.e. "solid state" or
other?
One concept which remains fuzzy for me is a DRIVER circuit, for ex.,
as pictured below (for reference only):
http://www.pond.ie/TechInfo/uStack/uS-DD4_Manual.html
"Each Darlington driver is configured as a low side switch,
a "freewheel" diode protects the driver from inductive
transients encountered when driving inductive loads
such as motors, solenoids and relays".…
Regarding drivers, the text description seems to recommend this type of
circuit for solenoids and inductive loads. Should I be looking to
construct a circuit along these lines , rather than a relay-type board
(or should it ideally incorporate both into a unified
design)…OR…something entirely different, such as the solid state
circuits I am hearing so much about.
I did read on Al's BASIC Stamp FAQ ) in section 2.5 (thank you AL, I've
been studying it the last few days and it has been priceless) ideas
utilising a power MOSFET as a switch. I've only ever used simple built
relays, but if there is a better solution I'm all ears.
Thanks again to everyone for all the invaluable assistance!
I am trying to arrive at a suitable circuit and interface so I can
place an initial order for parts and start tinkering.
The Stamp is revealing itself to be an exciting little peice of
technology.
Cheers,
-Neal