JeeShen Lee

Hello TampaCT, No business is too small to automate. ;D Just an idea; if your POS is running on Windows, you should be able to install a screen recording software (e.g. CamStudio) to record the actions on the screen. You may choose the appropiate codec to suite you needs (file size, player etc). With this, you don't have to invest a single cent. ;D Good luck. Regards, Jeeshen Lee +6 012-904 2869

Hello Ken, Speaking of isolating the ground plane, what are the guidelines/reasonings for choosing one implementation (Isolate the ground plane) over another (Join the ground plane)? As far as I understand, isolating the ground plane will help isolating the noise in high voltage side (normally, the load side) from the low voltage side (normally, the logic side). Any other idea? ;) Thanks. Regards, JeeShen Lee

Hello Ken, Thanks for illustrating the method to obtain the nominal operating current. I found a document which supports your calculation. You may find the document below (provided by the manufacturer, HydraElectric). http://www.hydralectric.com/docs/solenoid_valves_003.pdf Note: Green, 12Vdc Servo Assisted 2/2 Way Solenoid Valve. FYI, I'm trying to control my house's water tap with microcontroller (Microchip PIC, 5Vdc). I haven't started my drawing yet, but I will most likely go for either one of these implementations: 1. Microcontroller>Darlington Array>Relay>Valve or 2. Microcontroller>Optoisolator>Relay>Valve 3. Microcontroller>BJT>Valve 4. Microcontroller>Darlington>Valve [suggested by Ken. Edited on 02.Aug] 5. Microcontroller>MOSFET>Valve [suggested by Ken. Edited on 02.Aug] I will go for the cheapest option. ;D Thanks for your help, I appreciate it. Regards, JeeShen Lee IM: [email protected]

Hello Ken, Thanks for replying, I was waiting for someone who is willing to help in the past few days. Here is the link to the datasheet. http://malaysia.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=0342023 The part I received have 3W engrave on it (instead of the stated "Power consumption: 4W" on the page). Sorry, I don't understand exactly what you meant by operating it at "proportioning mode". Do you mean Pulse Modulation Mode (PWM)? FYI, I plan to use it to control the flow of water (on/off the water tap), I'm not interested at the flow rate at the moment. Btw, I'm planning to switch the solenoid using relay, do you have any other suggestions (like driving it using high amp optoisolator)? Thanks in advance. Regards, JeeShen Lee

Hi Everyone, I'm new to the forum. :) I need help on Solenoid Valve. I'm having a solenoid valve rating at 12Vdc, 3W but I couldn't find any spec from the datasheet on the turn on voltage (Von) and minimum turn on current (Ion). What value of resistor I should use in this case to limit my turn on current? Please advice. Thanks in advance. Regards, JeeShen Lee