Festo Single Acting Valves

[Mike Rush]

I've been doing this too long to be this frustrated. These single acting valves are driving me crazy. Last year we had the same issue and I ignored it. This this year we need the valve. The code is working, the green light on the relay module lights, the led on the valve lights, there is more than 30psi on port 1 (the input) and I can operate the valve manually but the valve will not switch states electrically. I know, the valve is bad, but two at the same time? I'm just missing something and I'm not sure what...

[Mark McLeod]

12v or 24v solenoid valves? I assume 12v.
12v or 24v wired to power the Solenoid Breakout? I assume 12v, too.
Wires reversed where they connect to the Solenoid Breakout?

Code is good with the Solenoid status indicators so the trouble is between the Solenoid Breakout and the Solenoid.

The old Festo single solenoids have a variety of wiring connection combinations.
No two are necessarily alike, and a lit indicator light can still mean the wires are reversed.
I found it best to test them first using alligator clips, so you can easily run through the possible combinations of three.
The taller pin isn't an electrical connection, just the shorter three.
Make no assumptions, and pay no attention to the wiring recommended by the datasheet, just try all possible combinations one at a time.
It doesn't hurt the solenoid to be wired incorrectly, so don't worry about burning it out.
Mark the proper connections when you find them, but don't assume the next valve will use the same pattern.

[Mike Rush]

It's odd that the best advice I got today was "ignore the documentation"... Working... Thanks!!

Mike

[TroySanders]

Originally Posted by Mike Rush

I've been doing this too long to be this frustrated. These single acting valves are driving me crazy. Last year we had the same issue and I ignored it. This this year we need the valve. The code is working, the green light on the relay module lights, the led on the valve lights, there is more than 30psi on port 1 (the input) and I can operate the valve manually but the valve will not switch states electrically. I know, the valve is bad, but two at the same time? I'm just missing something and I'm not sure what...

Hello Mike,

My name is Troy Sanders, I am the Valve Product Specialist for Festo-US. Our marketing department informed me you were having some issues with the valve we supplied for the FIRST program, which may have already been resolved, but I wanted to offer my assistance anyway. The associated valve kit is located at the link below:

FIRST Valve Assembly/Operating Instructions

First, I would like to clarify that these valves are actually double-acting rather than single-acting since there is a solenoid on either side of the valve which, when actuated, shifts the internal spool. A single-acting valve would have just a single solenoid coil and would be reset to its default state via an internal spring.

Second, referring to either the documentation from the link above or to page 49 of the VUVG’s online catalog located at the link below, the red wire needs to be attached to the 24V power supply as the black wire should be attached to the 0V terminal of the power supply. While viewing the E-box straight on, with the female connector and Festo type code facing you, the left pin, pin 1, is the 0V connection and the right pin, pin 2, is the 24V supply connection. The provided connector’s cable should have the black wire connecting to pin 1 as the red wire should be connecting to pin 2. These e-boxes incorporate a current reduction circuit which allows for power saving, but require the valve to be wired according to specifications; hence, the valve is not bi-polar. Once he valve is provided a proper signal, the LED will turn on and the spool will shift positions.

VUVG Online Catalogue

It appears that you have already solved your issue, but please do not hesitate to ask any additional questions you may have concerning our VUVG valve provided with this year’s FIRST kit.