Celex:
Hello everyone, I am a beginner Arduino programmer and building a Robotic Arm using magnetically coupled rodless cylinders. The device will be powered by compressed air and controlled by solenoid valves via ATmega2560.So far I have the control software written, and am relying on a relays to control the solenoids. But I am worried that the board will not provide enough current to the relays.
Here is a link of the relays: http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Relays_-z-_Timers/Electro-Mechanical_Relays/Square_-z-_Cube_Relays,_Plug-In,_3A_-_15A_(78x-z-_Qxx-z-H78x_Series)/General_Purpose,_3A,_5A,_10A_(QL2_-z-_QL4_-z-_QM2_-z-_QM4_Series)/QM4X1-D24
More importantly this appears to be a 24 volt coil relay? You can't wire that to an arduino 5 volt output pin and expect it to work. You require a transistor between a arduino output pin and a 24vdc relay coil and a 24vdc voltage source. And if you are going to use a transistor you may as well have the transistor drive the solenoids directly.
LeftyIf these are requiring too much current, does anyone have a viable solution to the low current supply (~20mA) from the arduino board.
Also using limiting sensors to tell the solenoids when to turn off.As a beginner any help would be greatly appreciated, hopefully I can control these 24v solenoids via Arduino.
-Celex