Figuring out how to power a solenoid

Question

I have a solenoid with unknown specifications. I have contacted the manufacturer, but they are reluctant when it comes to sharing information about this product.

The problem

I need to trigger a solenoid from my Raspberry Pi. I want to do this by providing power from a DC power supply that came with the original product (The product is not the solenoid). I am using a Raspberry Pi as the control unit and a relay (http://www.songle.com/en/pdf/20084141716341001.pdf).

We also think that our solenoid is similar to this one: http://www.testco-inc.com/ledex-solenoids/B22-254-M-36

What we know

Before starting this project I have measured the Voltage and Current from the original control unit that shipped with the product. When we want to trigger the solenoid, the existing control unit sends 0,355 Amps at 22,1 Volts through the circuit.

I did make my own power cable using the DC power adapter and that provides 0,375 Amps at 24,1 Volts.

But the solenoid does not trigger

Does anyone have any ideas that I might try out?

Other questions

Could the voltage provided be too high? Does a solenoid requires more current to trigger, and then less to "keep holding?

Answer 1

You have not posted a schematic for your question so we can only give general advice on debugging your circuit.

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

Figure 1. You should have wired the circuit up something similar to this.

Figure 2. You need to troubleshoot in a fashion similar to this.

Add a schematic to your question, do some basic troubleshooting and then modify your post to give the results of your investigation. Post a comment here to alert me to the update.

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^{simulate this circuit}

Figure 2. Where to take voltage readings.

If possible, create a program to turn the solenoid off and on every few seconds. Connect your multimeter on DC volts to 'B' and you should see the the voltage switch between 3.3 V and 0 V. Trace through the other points and record the values. Report back.