How to wire solenoid?

Technical Electrical
1

We have all of our pneumatic system plumbed according to the rules but FRC is pretty vague on how to wire the solenoid and how to give everything power.

So a few questions:

  1. How does a compressor get power in general?

  2. Starting from the PDB, can you explain how the solenoid is connected?

  3. Can you please explain how a solenoid and a spike relay are connected?

  4. If we use a spike relay, do we still need to use the cRIO?

  5. If we do need to use the cRIO, what things need to be connected to the Solenoid breakout on the NI 9472?

Thanks in advance

2
  1. Compressor is normally powered by a spike, since it is just I/O
  2. The solenoid comes off the solenoid breakout. The breakout is powered either to 24 or 12 volts, depending on which solenoid you have (it should be labeled). So, PDB to solenoid breakout on the cRIO, and from the 8 inputs on there, you put one or two two wire signal cables. Dual action solenoid gets 2, single action gets 1
  3. Solenoids can be powered from a spike, but I myself have never tried this, so someone will have to walk you through it.
  4. If you are using a robot, you need a cRIO. however, if you use a spike, you will wire it to the digital sidecar, whereas my way you wire to the solenoid breakout board on module 9472. If you use a spike, this module is unnecessary. However, you still need the cRIO for at least the module that connects to the digital sidecar (9403). Either way, you still need a cRIO
    5)On the solenoid breakout board, you need the top attachment (the Solenoid breakout itself mounted on the 9472 module. And on the board, you ned to have the signal wirees to the solenoid (one on each side, or just one for signle action)
3

So how do we wire the solenoid to the solenoid breakout?

4

http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Programs/FRC/Game_and_Season__Info/2012_Assets/Robot%20Data%20Connectivity%20Diagram%20(PWM).pdf

solenoid.png
solenoid.png1134×507 37 KB



solenoid.png
solenoid.png1134×507 37 KB

5

We have a double action solenoid and have decided to use a cRIO instead of a spike

I think that image is for a different type of solenoid…

6

The image is a double action solenoid, but it does not show that there are two wires to each side. ‘-’ and ‘signal’ are marked on the digital breakout, so just follow what it says and wire ‘-’ to black and ‘signal’ to red on the solenoids. A double action solenoid will require two sets of pins. For ease of connection, you can cut one pin off of a PWM and it fits fine on the breakout.

7

Sarah,
There is a diagram on the side of the solenoid module that shows how to wire the loads (solenoids) to the module. The external power Vsup is wired to the PD. If you are using 24 volt solenoids this can be wired in parallel with the power wiring feeding the cRio. COM is wired to the black terminal on the PD. The solenoid then takes the place of “device” on the drawing. “DO” is one of the digital outputs of the module labeled DO0-DO7.
The other answers are correct to your questions.

8

I think you need to check your terminology.

A cRio is a computer, it controls your robot.
A spike is a solid-state relay used to control relatively large electrical loads.

9

Or you could just use the two-pin cables from the Kit of Parts that are intended to fit the Solenoid Breakout (and the Robot Signal Light).

10

Of course, that is assuming you receive the entire KOP. Being in a “third world” country where many items disappear in customs makes one a little more resourceful. We didn’t even get our KOP until 9 days after kickoff!

What I wouldn’t do to have a Home Depot or Lowe’s nearby…

TeamDrift#4091
Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic

11

Okay so after some tweaking today, we got our solenoid to work using the manual buttons on the solenoid valve.
How is the wiring supposed to go between the solenoid and the solenoid breakout on the cRIO?

12

Black wire to “-”, red wire to “SIG”

Assuming you are using the 24v Kit solenoids, the solenoid breakout gets 24v power from the unused screw connections shared with the cRIO power on the Power Distribution Panel.

13

We are using the 24v Kit solenoids. How do the wires connect?

We have the red and the black that go on the solenoid stripped and connected to another pair of red and black wires that plug into the two pins on the solenoid breakout…but I have a feeling that it isn’t right

14

Here’s a photo: