I've been trying to drive a 12V inkjet valve (specs)with a 5V digital output from a National Instruments controller (PCI-7334). I'm using a Radio Shack 13.8VDC 3A power supply to power the injet head. Based off the numbers I have of the injet valve, I've picked this NPN transistor.
I tried...
My apologies on the link. For the record, I am using the RFD16N05-ND MOSFET.
I added a connection from the gate to another 10k resistor, to ground. The FET still seems to be going. I'm unsure how to respond about the diode. In actuality, I am using two diodes, connected in series with each...
I'm trying to drive a 12V valve with a TTL signal from my motion controller. After various suggestions, I'm trying a mosfet to drive the circuit. Specifically, I am using this mosfet: http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?Ref=60832&Row=533489&Site=US
I have the TTL connected...
Thank you for the response fsmyth. My valve is not that exact model. The 500 Ohm resistor is the internal resistance of the valve, not a separate resistor. In my valve's case, the resistance is 24 Ohm.
I'm a bit wary of initially wiring my circuit without the protection of diodes, so I will try...
I am trying to get response times down to 2-5 ms. I just discovered a high-speed circuit example from the manufacturer of the valve. It is very similar to the diagram I drew, except the diode is in the location like melone and itsmoked said. Their diagram shows two diodes, however. It looks like...
Ok. I've probably exhausted my welcome asking such elementary questions, but I redrew the circuit based off of all your posts. Does this circuit look any better, or is it just as bad?
I'll put that better circuit into consideration. But backtracking to the basic circuit I drew, with the zener now in series with the solenoid (with the anode connected to the positive end of the solenoid and cathode connected to the other resistor), I would need a small resistor (like the 42.5...
Ok. I have to admit that I'm a bit confused now with conflicting information. So for the fastest performance while maintaining safety, I should put the diode in series with the solenoid? Should I use a regular diode or a zener diode now?
Are you saying the circuit I drew will not provide enough...
Thanks for the help itsmoked. I'll be sure to wire the diode across just the solenoid. Probably a dumb question, but why would using a zener diode be inappropriate for this circuit? I'm afraid I'm not too keen on the differences between various types of diodes, nor what a regular diode is...
Thank you for the informative response Comcokid. According to the spec sheet for the valve, the maximum frequency i can use is 600 Hz at 12V.
I just did some research on mosfets, and it does appear that I can use them to switch my circuit. I'm a bit confused on N-type and P-type mosfets. Since...
Thank you for the replay OperaHouse. I will look into fuel injector drivers.
But given my current setup, is there anything I can do to limit the current then once the output signal is shut off? Or should I look for DC type solid state relays instead?
Before I begin, I am completely out of my element in this project, so my apologies if I don't use correct terminology.
I am trying to control a microliter dispensing valve using a relay control circuit. This circuit needs to be fast, as I need the droplet sizes to be very small. My digital IO...
