Thread: VSA-Controlling 24 volt relays/solenoids?

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Has anyone done this yet?....I've got several 24 volt solenoids/relays/lighting etc laying around now and need to figure out an economical way of controlling them...Fright Ideas has the Flex series which would work great for triggered scares but not so great for running several complex shows...That's where VSA would be the ticket....I've already got the skulltronix/brookshire so this would be the way I'd go...I've thought about getting another BOC (Board Of Chucky) but instead of hooking up servos, run 5 volt relays and wiring the 24 volt on the relay switch side but I don't even know if this would theoretically work....Blue Point Engineering has a USB DMX controlled relay set but I've never bought anything from them and don't know if it would work with brookshire....Gilderfluke has the BR Minibrick 8 that looks like it could work in DMX mode but it runs in 8 bit where the skull works in 16 bit....I don't even understand what that means?....Would it matter?.....I actually have a minibrick but it's in the organ already programmed and I don't want to mess it up.....Anyway that's kiind of where I am so does anyone have any ideas because I'm kind of lost at this point...Thanks....ZR

I use a Battleswitch from http://www.dimensionengineering.com/BattleSwitch.htm with a Parallax servo controller that works very well. It plugs right into the servo controller and acts as a servo for programming in VSA. May be a little pricey, but I think it was worth it . I use mine to turn on a PLC input that I have to run some routines that I used to save space on the servo controller.

Thanks for the link....That's definitely interesting and would work...As you said expensive but probably comparable to any other option out there....I'll definitely keep this in mind.....ZR

A cheaper way to use the printer port and a kit 74 here is a link http://www.web-tronics.com/pcprinporrel.html

Hello Rick...While that option is indeed cheaper, unfortunately the relays wouldn't handle the 24 volt load that I require....Thanks for the link though....ZR

I just purchased these for controlling my LED eyes on my skull props

Turnigy Receiver Controlled On/Off Switch

I have not had a chance to test them yet, but the price was good.

You should read the info sheet. These are rated for up to 250Vac, the only limit is the amperage which is 5 amps (each relay). I use it with no problem at 24Vdc.

Originally Posted by scary rick

You should read the info sheet. These are rated for up to 250Vac, the only limit is the amperage which is 5 amps (each relay). I use it with no problem at 24Vdc.

Sorry Rick....The only info I saw was where it said "There are 8 relays each capable of switching 12VDC/10A or 240VAC/5A."...I assumed that mean't it couldn't handle 24 volt but if your using it with no problems then I guess it works.......Thanks again for the link...ZR

ZR,

This is one of the main reasons I designed the Medusa DMX board. It'll control up to 8 relays or solenoid/valves (+8 servos, + dim 8 high-power LEDs). The relay control outputs are rated at 150mA (if you're using more than one), or 500mA if you're using just one.

This is a DMX-based device, so you'll need a USB to DMX converter (like the Enttec) in order to use it with VSA. But it integrates very nicely - full VSA support.

Just got back from the MakerFaire - it's been a long day. Feel free to ask more, if you like

- Hook