Switching 24vac

 


Hello.

I would like to interupt a circuit several times a second. The circuit
carries 24vac to a solenoid circuit under ground somewhere.

What I want to do is open and close this circuit several times a second so I
can actuate and un-actuate the solenoid, causing it to buzz.

I need to find this solenoid and have been unable to do so. I hope the
buzzing can help me home in on it.

What I am thinking of is perhaps something run off a 555 to trigger some
sort of electronic switch for the 24vac.

Any ideas on chips for this purpose?

Thanks,

Alp

 


"alp"

 **  Why not feed the output of an audio amplifier into to 24 volt AC line ?

Some screaming heavy metal music should provoke the solenoid into a bit of
"grunging" noise so you can locate it with you ear to the ground.



.......  Phil

 



A PC parallel port, an optotriac, and an alternistor should be enough
for such a temporary circuit.

I use 24vac switching in my furnace controller boards:
http://www.delorie.com/house/furnace/

 

alp wrote:

For this application, just use a 555 to operate
a relay at something between 3 and 20 Hertz. The
relay can interrupt the 24 vac to the solenoid.
You should add a snubber across the relay points,
made from a 100 ohm resistor in series with a .1 uf
250V capacitor.  Make sure the relay contact
rating exceeds the current that the solenoid draws.

Ed

 

I didn't think a relay could operate at the frequency needed (to buzz a
solenoid). That is why I asked about an electronic switch.
However, your explanation seems solid (apart from my doubt about the max
frequency the relay contacts can operate at).
I will consider it. Thanks.

Alp