Actuation problems with my motor controller.

Projects General Guidance
1

So I want to move a solenoid valve using the set up in the following picture:


note that instead of the motors, there will only be one solenoid valve connected at that point.

The problem I am having is that I am not able to make the solenoid valve move when I connect it with the motor controller. The solenoid valve is rated to move at 48 VDC and when testing it in the lab it was able to move at 42 VDC. I have a 48 VDC source at home that I have connected the motor controller and the solenoid valve works if the DC source is connected directly via a bread board.

I have also tried this set up using a 24 VDC solenoid valve and it worked fine.

Can anyone help me??

2

Have you confirmed the outputs of the Arduino are modulating?
Use a scope.

3

Would you give a link to the driver.

4

LarryD:
Would you give a link to the driver.

Here is the link:

5

That diagram shows the motor controller is not given a logic supply. It surely needs 5V
on its logic supply to work?

6

MarkT:
That diagram shows the motor controller is not given a logic supply. It surely needs 5V
on its logic supply to work?

For the logic supply I used the 5 V from the Leonardo.

7

How much current does the solenoid draw?

With everything connected and powered up and trying to operate the solenoid as you have shown, what is the voltage across the solenoid and what is the voltage across the battery?

8

Solenoid valve - this is ON/OFF device.

May be better solution - don't use motor controller.

Try to use simple relay driving circuit like ULN2803A chip, or Darlington transistor pair.

Something simple like this:

9 
void loop() 
{ 
  int value;
  for(value = 0 ; value <= 255; value+=5) 
  { 
    digitalWrite(M1,HIGH);   
    digitalWrite(M2,HIGH);       
    analogWrite(E1, value);   //PWM Speed Control
    analogWrite(E2, value);   //PWM Speed Control
    delay(30); 
  }  
}

If you are using the code sample from the link it is not appropriate for a solonoid valve.
Crazylgels suggestion is OK.
OR
Use a power N-MOSFET.

10

LarryD:

void loop()

{
  int value;
  for(value = 0 ; value <= 255; value+=5)
  {
    digitalWrite(M1,HIGH);   
    digitalWrite(M2,HIGH);       
    analogWrite(E1, value);   //PWM Speed Control
    analogWrite(E2, value);   //PWM Speed Control
    delay(30);
  } 
}



If you are using the code sample from the link it is not appropriate for a solenoid valve.
Crazylgels suggestion is OK.
OR
Use a power N-MOSFET.

I remember that I was able to make it work with the 24 V solenoid valve. I just used 255 for full voltage and 0 for 0 voltage.
So what would I do instead?

11

CrazyIgels:
Solenoid valve - this is ON/OFF device.

May be better solution - don't use motor controller.

Try to use simple relay driving circuit like ULN2803A chip, or Darlington transistor pair.

Something simple like this:

Thanks~~ so where would I attach my 48 V source?

12

If the solenoid closes when power is removed.
+48-----Cathode of 1N4007 & solenoid----Anode of the 1N4007 other end of solenoid ----- N.O. Contact----Common contact---- 48 0 Volts.

The relay can be replaced by IRL540 MOSFET:
http://www.vishay.com/docs/91300/91300.pdf
Similar to this image.
TTL is your Arduino, Rg is 220R R2 is 10K
1N4007 across the solenoid as mentioned above.
M is your solenoid.
Common ground between transistor source and Arduino.

image.jpg

13

Thanks~~ so where would I attach my 48 V source?

As LarryD say you can use MOSFET, or, if you want - you can use relay contact to switching ON solenoid.