I have ripped apart a solenoid I found which controls water flow. I can't find out anything about it on the internet and there is no part number on it. However its part of a Gardena T14e water timer which switches on and off the water at pre-set times.
I tried to get readings from the unit when it sent messages to the solenoid...however my multi meter just picked up a very low V spike - I'm guessing that the signal may have been digital????
Anyway I blew up the unit during my testing so now I'm really in the cart. The unit has a microcontroller in it that runs at 5V and I'm guessing this drove the solenoid. Does anyone know of any data that will drive the solenoid? Really hoping someone has had experiance with these and can say what normal things are I should try.
I'm not going to be very helpful here! The Entire unit runs off a 9V supply. The unit is totally sealed (since it was used near water) but from the specs the Microchip runs off of 5V.
The solenoid is completly sealed, I can't get in there at all....not much help I know!
Hey I am making progress! I figured out that to open the switch I need a 0.1A surge to the sensor. So I place a 5V supply with a 100hm: resistor in its path (sensor must have 40hm and spike the line and hey presto solenoid activates....just need to figure out how to turn it off now
It is latched. I reversed it and the current went way up - short circuited 1.25A...must be a diode of sorts inside the solenoid. The solenoid didn't open though.
33.3Ohm resistance in the solenoid when I put the multimeter across it.
It is latched. I reversed it and the current went way up - short circuited 1.25A...must be a diode of sorts inside the solenoid. The solenoid didn't open though.
33.3Ohm resistance in the solenoid when I put the multimeter across it.
There is a little washer sitting on a spring on top of the solenoid. When 0.1A goings in to the solenoid it magnetises it and sucks the washer on to the solenoid thus opening up the valve. You can then release the 0.1A and it remains magnetised to the solenoid - i.e. stays open without any power.
You then need to pass X to the solenoid and it releases the magnet. I have tried from 1A down to 0A to no avail at this point.
There is a little washer sitting on a spring on top of the solenoid. When 0.1A goings in to the solenoid it magnetises it and sucks the washer on to the solenoid thus opening up the valve. You can then release the 0.1A and it remains magnetised to the solenoid - i.e. stays open without any power.
You then need to pass X to the solenoid and it releases the magnet. I have tried from 1A down to 0A to no avail at this point.
hi,
I have looked at the spec for the Gardenia water drip feed system, I suspect the valve requires water pressure to reclose the valve correctly.
The pulses just pop the valve open for an instant, then it recloses.
The overall system is fitted with a water pressure regulator to ensure correct operation.
I tried it (when the control unit worked) and when I clicked on it sucked the magnetic on to the solenoid and when I clicked off it released the washer. I.e. it popped up and down on the solenoid. So I'm pretty sure I should be able to do the same thing without the need for water.
I'll try a few more things today with it and see how I go. I really like this one though cause it doesn't need a constant holding amp. Most solenoid values I see have an inrush amp of 0.4 and then they need a holding amp of 0.2 to keep it open. This one doesn't which is really cool. It also works off of 5V as well.