Piston extends but does not retract?

[nitneylion452]

We have our solenoid connected to our cRio through slot 8 channels 1 and 2. We have our code (C++) set to make the connection in slot 8 channel 1 activate (extend the piston), then wait .5 seconds. After it waits, it is supposed to make slot 8 channel 2 activate (retract the piston). The piston extends but does not retract. The lights on the cRio next to slot 8 light up, but it is only for the first channel (extend). Any ideas as to why this is happening?

[Mark McLeod]

Normally, The solenoid coils are operated in tandem.
You should be turning one side of the solenoid on and the other off at the same time.
Then the reverse to reverse the piston.

One side applies force, while the opposing side gives way.

The piston won't move if both are on at the same time.

[nitneylion452]

I think my wording was poor in my first post.

Basically we want the piston to extend then retract. Out programming team wrote code which was supposed to turn one side of the solenoid on then off, wait, then turn the other side on then off. The cRio lights only turn on as if only one side is working (we can get one side to work but not the other). Our programming mentors say the code looks fine, our electrical people say the wiring looks good. We can't figure out why it doesn't work.

[chadr03]

Have you tested the solenoid using a battery? One of our solenoids did not work correctly out of the box. It is possible that one end is not working correctly. Secondly I would put a multimeter on the leads going to the solenoid and see if they are indeed getting the voltage output that you think the programing is sending. Just take each component individual and see if it is working correctly.

[Mark McLeod]

If you're just trying to get the Solenoid Module LEDs to light, then it's a code problem, not a wiring problem. Those are independent of the wiring that occurs afterwards in the Solenoid bumper and the solenoid itself. You can pull off the Solenoid Breakout and that will not affect the code's ability to turn the LEDs on and off.

Usually, I wouldn't program to have both sides of a solenoid off at the same time, but that doesn't concern what you're seeing in the LEDs.

[nitneylion452]

If you're just trying to get the Solenoid Module LEDs to light, then it's a code problem, not a wiring problem. Those are independent of the wiring that occurs afterwards in the Solenoid bumper and the solenoid itself.

Usually, I wouldn't program to have both sides of a solenoid off at the same time, but that doesn't concern what you're seeing in the LEDs.

I'm referring to the lights on the cRio. One of the mentors said that if the light on the cRio wasn't lighting, something was wrong with the code, but the programming mentor said everything looked fine.


But, thank you for your suggestions, I will pass these along to our programmers and mentors and see what they think of these!:)

[Mark McLeod]

Just another argument between software folks and hardware folks, eh? :)

[nitneylion452]

Just another argument between software folks and hardware folks, eh? :)

Tell me about it. (I'm a hardware guy:D )