Hi Bob,
This may not help you but I thought it worth mentioning.
The other day I tried to troubleshoot a solenoid valve (that in my case controls compressed air flow to an SGE pneumatic valve) by checking if it was getting the right voltage using my trusty multimeter on the leads going to the valve.
No matter which way I toggled to valve through the software the reading was always just over 24V. In principle this is fine since these valve are actuated by 24V (or lack thereof). Apparently a voltmeter doesn't place enough load on the leads to draw down the 24V to 0V in a short space of time.
My work around was a holding stethoscope against the valve's body and asking a student to actuate the valve in the software listening for the clicking of the solenoid (yes, I'm such a saddo, I do own a stethoscope and a disecting kit). Should you be one stethoscope short of a Gladstone bag you can use a long screwdriver, placing its business end on the valve and the end of the handle on your temple (next to the ear).
Best,
Wolfram
<http://www.qub.ac.uk/eerc/people/academic_staff/wma/wm_a/efnhh.htm>
________________________________
From: Stable Isotope Geochemistry [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Robert Michener [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 06 August 2007 16:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ISOGEOCHEM] MultiFlow pneumatic valve voltage
Hi all,
I’ve got a rather vexing problem here with my MultiFlow. To make a long story short, I had problems getting any sample peaks for samples run for water equilibrations. I isolated the problem to the 3 way pneumatic valve and ordered a new one from GVI. It lasted all of 60 samples and quit working again. Needless to say, I was a tad frustrated. I’ve taken the unit apart and began wondering what the voltage should be going to that valve.
I pulled the leads off the valve and used my trusty voltmeter to check the voltage going to the valve. As I toggle the valve from the computer, the voltage changes from 23.3 to 23.6 volts. That seems a little fishy and I was wondering if any of the GV users out there have seen this. More important: how can I fix this? It looks like the voltage comes off the ribbon cable.
Any help would be sincerely appreciated! You can reply directly to me if you like.
Cheers, Bob
***********
Robert Michener
IRMS Laboratory Manager
Boston University Stable Isotope Laboratory
Department of Biology
5 Cummington St.
Boston, MA 02215
Voice: 617-353-6980
Fax: 617-353-6340
Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Website: www.bu.edu/sil/<UrlBlockedError.aspx>
"You are what you eat, plus a few permil!"
***********
*********************************
Dr W Meier-Augenstein
Senior Lecturer in Stable Isotope Forensics
Environmental Forensics & Human Health Research Group
EERC, S.P.A.C.E.
Queen's University Belfast
David Keir Building
39-123 Stranmillis Road
Belfast, BT9 5AG
United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 (0)28 9097 4015
Fax: +44 (0)28 9066 3754
Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
URL (Isotope Lab): http://www.qub.ac.uk/eerc/people/academic_staff/wma/wm_a/siff.htm
URL (Research): http://www.qub.ac.uk/eerc/people/academic_staff/wma/wm_a/efnhh.htm
"You are what you eat and drink, and where you eat and drink, plus/minus a few permil!"
|