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Controlling a solenoid beyond on/off?

Eavesdropper over 13 years ago

How does one control a solenoid beyond turning it on and off?

PWM control? Power it, then scale back the current?

Any info on alternative ways to power a solenoid would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

E

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DAB over 13 years ago +1

Hi E, TI just announced a new Solinoid controller this week. You might want to take a look at it for your application. DAB

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0 Former Member over 13 years ago

If you have a variable power supply you can pull in the contactor and then reduce the voltage to see what will hold it in, then recreate this voltage with a pwm signal and a Mosfet.
simply:

required hold in voltage = PWM% x supply voltage

placing the Mosfet on the low side of the coil will allow you to run the pwm from a micro and use a higher supply voltage.
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0 Eavesdropper over 13 years ago in reply to Former Member

Chris & DAB,

Thank you for the info and thoughts.

I have to use a solenoid, it is part of a valve system. I just want a scheme to turn the solenoid on/off using the least amount of power.

I was hoping for a simple, tried and true, solution.

Keep the thoughts coming...

Thanks again.

E
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0 Eavesdropper over 13 years ago in reply to Former Member

Chris & DAB,

Thank you for the info and thoughts.

I have to use a solenoid, it is part of a valve system. I just want a scheme to turn the solenoid on/off using the least amount of power.

I was hoping for a simple, tried and true, solution.

Keep the thoughts coming...

Thanks again.

E
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0 DAB over 13 years ago in reply to Eavesdropper

Have you considered using a windlass type system where the solenoid could step through the valve turn to meet need between on and off. A second solenoid could flip the direction latch so you had full control for various on and off steps.

Just a thought.
DAB
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