Why 18v in the Emag?

[mrhooie]

I understand what you are saying Shaft
The reason I posted this was to try and find out what the emag run off of (obviously it doesn't need 18v to function)

As for the 42v car system....downside - big battery bank - even big/higher out put alternator..neet idea - can't see it working though

[Shaft]

Some of my time at work is being spent on 42v systems.
It's overdue though. Good thing that not all my time is devoted to the change.

[mrhooie]

What do you do Shaft?
In the winter I'm a salesman at an electronics store (tv's stereoes, and electronics)

In the summer (and I guess all the time) I own a paintball pro-shop (AGD Dealership pending )

mrhooie

[AGD]

ps yes the solenoid does run at 18v right off the battery.

AGD

[Shaft]

Originally posted by mrhooie
What do you do Shaft?

I'm an electrical engineer for an automotive OEM.

[p8ntbal4me]

Sorry bout bringing this post back,. but its missing a question I wanted to put to the AO for those of you that own and run E-Mags.

AGD says that 18 volts runs directly to the battery.

I put a meter on the 2 solder connections on teh boards that go to the solenoid and pulled the trigger.

Every 3rd shot was about 3volts,.. every shot in between that 3volt reading was .15-.30

Can anyone explain this?? I want to hack up the gun and do some serious re-work to the board and re-design it,.. but if Tom says 18 volts but its reading something else,.. I wanted to be sure. <---- yes,.. I know Tom = God,.. and yes, I go to church every weekend to shoot my God-like E-Mag!

Anyone from AGD techs input would be helpful too!

[ta2maki]

Sorry bout bringing this post back,. but its missing a question I wanted to put to the AO for those of you that own and run E-Mags.

AGD says that 18 volts runs directly to the battery.

I put a meter on the 2 solder connections on teh boards that go to the solenoid and pulled the trigger.

Every 3rd shot was about 3volts,.. every shot in between that 3volt reading was .15-.30

Can anyone explain this?? I want to hack up the gun and do some serious re-work to the board and re-design it,.. but if Tom says 18 volts but its reading something else,.. I wanted to be sure. <---- yes,.. I know Tom = God,.. and yes, I go to church every weekend to shoot my God-like E-Mag!

Anyone from AGD techs input would be helpful too!

I'm guessing you are using a digital meter. Digital meters will not react fast enough to show the voltage showing at the terminals. Analog meters will do a better job but the dwell is still too short to let the needle deflect all the way. If your meter has it, use the peak hold function.

[p8ntbal4me]

Okay,.. that answers the first and most important question,.. thank you!

Second question is why is the solenoid directly wired to the board but then there is a port for the solenoid do be plugged into? Im guessing an easy, if-I-rip-my-wires-off-my-board-and-buy-a-new-noid-I-can-plug-the-new-one-back-in solution?

[athomas]

Okay,.. that answers the first and most important question,.. thank you!

Second question is why is the solenoid directly wired to the board but then there is a port for the solenoid do be plugged into? Im guessing an easy, if-I-rip-my-wires-off-my-board-and-buy-a-new-noid-I-can-plug-the-new-one-back-in solution?

This port can be used to run other devices that are activated when the gun is fired.

[p8ntbal4me]

I figured teh emag solenoid could run off a 9volt,... any guesses to how long it would work off one???

[athomas]

I figured teh emag solenoid could run off a 9volt,... any guesses to how long it would work off one???

It wouldn't work at all. 9v isn't enough voltage to activate the solenoid.

[p8ntbal4me]

It wouldn't work at all. 9v isn't enough voltage to activate the solenoid.

Let me tell you what I did and how im getting results.

I removed the old stock emag board and installed a new aftermarket board running off a 9volt.

My emag solenoid is not getting 18volts,.. I cant accuratly tell u what its getting but lets say it is infact getting 9volts.

My solenoid actuates with alot of force,... not as much as 18volts would make it move,... but if you want to compare it to something,.. the force of a hyperframe pancake solenoid is about the same feeling. I dont have air other wise I would shoot the thing,.. but its way more than a ULT would require to activate.

When you said it would not work,.. did u mean that the board and the solenoid, the solenoid alone,..?? Just trying to get all my wires and voltage issues down so I can get moving along into some testing phases.

[athomas]

The solenoid only has half the design current going through the coil when 9v is used instead of 18v. That means the solenoid only has 1/4 of the power. Using the stock on-off, the solenoid won't have enough power to push it closed. It would probably work with the ULT. The ULT has another problem in that it doesn't have enough return force to move the sear and solenoid plunger properly.

[RobAGD]

It may go clicky clicky without air, but you will find that the noid really wants voltage.

If it would have worked off 9v's it would have been done a long time ago.

-Robert

[p8ntbal4me]

It may go clicky clicky without air, but you will find that the noid really wants voltage.

If it would have worked off 9v's it would have been done a long time ago.

-Robert

Okay,.. tesed out everything you guys have been offering for advice,... confirming as I go.

Looking at the board that comes with the emag,.. Im going to assume that it uses some type of relay to switch the (+) to the solenoid? If thats the case,.. what type of relay does it use? Numbers on my board are kind of hard to read,.....

Does the board use all 18volts or does it regulate it down for the components but keep the solenoid with a true 18VDC?