Our team is using an electric solenoid to restrict the fuel from clogging our shooter wheel. As of now, we have it hooked up to a motor controller, and programming it as a standard motor, with the values of -1 and 1 to actuate it. But I’ve heard that you can plug it into the PCM and program it through there, but we don’t have any pneumatics and we’d rather not add the PCM.
What is the best way to wire this to the robot?
I think either way is fine and legal. you could also get a Spike (discontinued but still legal). there isn’t really a spike replacement except the PCM.
The PCM itself is pretty small, so shouldn’t be a hug pain to add.
Does the solenoid require reversed voltage, or just no voltage (spring return)
We were initially using a reversible solenoid, but we’ve since switched to a spring return solenoid.
Since we’re using the solenoid on a motor controller, should we be toning down how much power to give it on the programming end, so we don’t give it over current?