Thread: help with triggering prop?

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Hey was wonder it anyone could help with this. I am new to this and I want to trigger a pneumatic prop with a switch mat. I want to purchase it but unsure of how to hook it up. I am not sure if I would need a prop trigger device or can just hook it up directly.Any help would be great. Thanks jeff

What voltage is your solenoid valve? If its low voltage 12 V or 24V then you could use the mat directly to switch the circuit. If its 120V (regular wall plug current) then I would suggest you use a 12 Volt relay,

Low voltage connect on wire from power source directly to solenoid connect the other wire from the power source to one of the mat wires. Connect the other mat wire to the remaining solenoid wire.

Its easier and safer to use a low voltage solenoid.

Thanks for the fast reply. I have a washing machine valve for my solenoid. So i'll need the 12 volt relay? I had one prop last year but i trigger it with one of the wireless remotes. Now want to use the switch mat for anothe one, and am unsure how to hook it up.

Originally Posted by scummm

So i'll need the 12 volt relay?

Yes. Mat switches can't handle 110 volts. Wire it as follows:

Since many 12VDC relays will operate at 9 volts, you could use a battery to activate the relay. Attach one wire of the mat to either post of a 9 volt battery (use a battery snap), wire the other side of the battery to one of the coil pins of the relay. I suggest using a SPDT relay. Wire the other coil pin to the remaining mat wire. Now when you step on the mat, the relay will close. Cut the socket off of a cheapo extension cord and strip the wires. Attach one wire of the extension cord to the Normally Open pin on the relay (check your instruction sheet/card for the pinout) and attach a wire from the Common pin of the relay to one terminal of your solenoid coil. Attach the remaining extension cord wire to the other terminal of the solenoid coil. Plug in the extension cord and step on the mat. The relay will close, activating the solenoid.
Before doing all of this wiring, test the relay with the battery to make sure it will work. If the battery can't close the relay, you'll need to use a 12VDC wart. I haven't yet found a 12VDC relay that didn't work on 9 volts, but you never know.