Hi, i am fairly new to electronics and i have been looking online for a few days and tried multiple things to make this work.
My question is i want to know is it possible to control multiple (up to 24 ) 24v dc 913APP611BA SOLENOID VALVES with a arduino.
I want to recreate a rock afire explosion animatronic band. The music plays and the band members move accordingly.
Any help or advice would be gratefully appreciated, Thank you
Yes
Thank you for the response. If you could would you be able to provide me with any additional information or research material ?
Hi,
welcome.
but please read the topic:
To individually control 24 valves you will need an arduino mega or a port expander.
You didn't post the datasheet of these valves (or link to it). Possibly these valves cannot be operated directly by the arduino,
You will need either MOSFETs or normal transistors.
Solenoids can be energized by a driver: relays, MOSFETs, BJTs.
These drivers are controlled by output pins on the controller.
The basic Arduino UNO can control 12 + 6 devices.
You can add IO expanders to control more devices.
The Arduino Mega has 54 IO pins.
Thank you, I will do better in my use on this forum.
This is the data i have for the solenoids. * 913APP611BA
- SOLENOID VALVE
- SERIES 900
- SINGLE OPERATOR
- NON-LOCKING
- PIPED PILOT EXHAUST
- 24 VDC
- 8.5 WATT
- 25-150 PSI
- 1/8 INCH NPTF
- 4/2-WAY
I have 5 individual characters that has 24 solenoids each.
In my thought process i was thinking i can have a board for each character and then have one main board that would be able to take data from the computer ( moving according to music) and then communicate to the according board
That’s a start.
Always start with a proposed schematic.
For example might want to use this basic driver circuit.
Since the spec did not mention the reaction time, I can tell you piloted valves are slow because the depend on the pressure to open the valve after the pilot begins the process. If this is not a problem, then you are good to go.
Your valves should be * 24 VDC * 8.5 WATT so 8.5 / 24 = 354 mA for coil current. You fail to mention which Arduino but as mentioned an Arduino Mega will afford enough digital I/O ports. You will need to drive your solenoid coils using either transistors or MOSFETs. A 2N2222 common NPN transistor should work fine. I suggest you read about using flyback diodes in thee electronics section because they figure into this. You want a 1N4002 diode across each solenoid coil with diode cathode side to +. Your 24 VDC supply will need to supply with overhead or over kill 500 mA per solenoid so roughly 12 Amps.
Next, as suggested I also suggest you read how to get good help in the forums. I can also tell you this. Nobody here will do your design work or write your code. The idea being you learn and post your schematic, even hand drawn is fine and post your code using code tags. Think of this as a self help place.
Also consider the Min pressure for your valves to function as mentioned.
Ron
And this has what to do with solenoid valves?
Well, you need to drive the base with about 20mA for that collector current.
And that 24 * 0.02A is almost 500mA, which is too much for the MCU pins/ports.
If you go bjt, then a TIP120 with 2k2 base resistors would be a much better solution.
Never mind the 1volt dropout, which is only a fraction of the 24volt supply.
A logic level mosfet is of course the preferred solution.
First diagram here.
Typical beginner's mistake 
I would use one Arduino (could be an Uno), and port expanders.
Leo..
A few TPIC6A596 or others in the family should work too.
That would simplify things, but it's at the limit of their 350mA current rating.
And we all know that's bad design practice.
Leo..
Uh Oh and my bad on that. While the 2N2222 will easily handle the solenoid current the base current is a little excessive for an Arduino. The TIP120 is a much better solution.
Ron
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