Exhaust in Solenoids

[FRC Team CC]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

What model solenoid are you trying to use?

We are using the solenoids from this link: http://www.wcproducts.net/pneumatics.

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

If you plug the exhaust ports, then the solenoid will cease to work. It only works by letting air out of the cylinder through the exhaust ports.

So we are trying to control a piston that is plugged in to one of the A ports (the solenoid is connected to port 0). It seems that if we don't block off the exhaust, the air tanks don't build up in pressure as all of the air leaks out of the solenoid exhaust. In our current setup, we have our compressor connected to our compressor and a regulator. The regulator is connected to the solenoids. Is something wrong with our setup that would cause this issue?

Originally Posted by ctt956

To maybe fix the leak, try checking the ends of the air tubes, and see if they're cut straight. If they've been cut at an angle, they can leak. Cutting them straight should fix it. Note that this may not be the issue, but it's a simple thing to check before you disassemble the whole pneumatics system. Just make sure to vent any air in the tank before working on anything!

Our air tubes seem to be cut straight, so that shouldn't be an issue, but thanks for letting us know for future reference!

Originally Posted by headlight

A single solenoid should be enough to control both the A and B ports. The important thing is that it is a 4/5 port solenoid.

If there is air leaking out of the exhaust port it is usually either an internal leak in the seal of the air cylinder or a leak in the gasket between the solenoid and the manifold block (if you are using a manifold setup).

Our solenoids are 4 port solenoids. We have a picture attached for what our setup looks like.

Thanks,
Charging Champions