Hi all,
It's been a while since I've done any electronic stuff so would really appreciate your opinion as to whether this project is a simple one or something I should try and get help with.
What I have so far:
A 12v solenoid attached to 12v battery with a push switch to deploy the solenoid. Obviously the length of the solenoid down stroke is dependent on the time the switch is pressed.
What I would like to do:
Automatically deploy the solenoid. The set up involves a computer controlled x-y stage, when the stage has reached the target position a signal is sent (5v always high drops to 0v very briefly).
I have been looking into optoisolators and relays to communicate between the two circuits, the other problem is that I would like to be able to control the solenoid 'on' time between 1 and 10 seconds (variable capacitor?).
Much appreciated if you've managed to read through my amateur ramblings to this point, I would be very grateful for any advice you can provide.
It's been a while since I've done any electronic stuff so would really appreciate your opinion as to whether this project is a simple one or something I should try and get help with.
What I have so far:
A 12v solenoid attached to 12v battery with a push switch to deploy the solenoid. Obviously the length of the solenoid down stroke is dependent on the time the switch is pressed.
What I would like to do:
Automatically deploy the solenoid. The set up involves a computer controlled x-y stage, when the stage has reached the target position a signal is sent (5v always high drops to 0v very briefly).
I have been looking into optoisolators and relays to communicate between the two circuits, the other problem is that I would like to be able to control the solenoid 'on' time between 1 and 10 seconds (variable capacitor?).
Much appreciated if you've managed to read through my amateur ramblings to this point, I would be very grateful for any advice you can provide.