Arduino Lesson 4 - Solenoid control using a Transistor

In this project you will learn how to connect a Solenoid Magnet to an Arduino using a transistor as a switch.

[renegaed]

Absolutely best desciption on Arduino and solenoids. I've been confused reading tutorials but you're video was the one that made it finally click for me. Thanks very much for sharing.

[Viktorr]

I tried two other tutorials on youtube to no avail. This worked in an instant! Thank you!

[aidanpawz]

Great video! Thank you for helping me understand how to use a solenoid. Your video was clear, quick, and understable.

[TheTadek]

Thanks, it works! Greetings from Gdynia Maritime University!

[TangodownNZ]

Thank you for this video. It would be great if you could do a similar one here. Its for a arcade gun recoil. After watching your video I wonder if it requires a diode. Maybe you could show us how you would make this.

“The Ne555 boards are easy to hook up. They only have 3 pins.
 
You have 5v and ground in which you'll take from the UHID. Then ground out and power out. Power out is the 3rd pin. Ground out shares the middle pin with ground in. I.e. you have two wires connected to one pin for ground.
 
The output from the Ne555 board goes to a DC DC solid state relay. You should have one that can be triggered by as little as 3v.
 
Connect ground out (from the ne555) to - and ne555 power output to +. At this point you should be able to activate the solid state relay by pressing the trigger or whatever button you have hooked up to the UHID (one that is set to trigger 5v on your chosen pin).
 
Connect one of the wires from your solenoid power supply to one of the output pins on the relay. The other one goes to the solenoid. I usually have the relay connect the - and have the + from my 24v psu go directly to the solenoid. You can try it the other way if you want (or need) to.
 
Then it's just a case of adjusting the two pots on the ne555 until the full auto feel is to your liking.
 
The solenoid  should be triggered 7-14 times per second to feel authentic

[Lecandotnet]

Thank you for the great helps on Arduino controls solenoid.

[marcobucci]

Great video! Very clear instructions. Quick semi-related question about power supply: Assuming it's the correct voltage for the solenoid I'm using ... can I hack apart my old laptop power supply by snipping off the cylindrical plug at the end (the part that would plug into the laptop)? Would that reveal the hot/ground wires needed to work with the breadboard? (I suppose I should just bite the bullet and try it myself, but I'm too nervous to ruin the power supply, lol.) Thanks again!

[rickieyt]

im confused where did you use the external power source

[wesselvandenbroek]

yeaahh you helped us really well, thanks for the video man!!!

[dumonr]

Next question - why is the transistor tied into the negative side of the solenoid rather than the positive?
Also, why is the resistor needed? I saw another video that did not use one.

[hamzi]

Hi, iam using a solenoid valve (5v), and i want to use this method i think it should work, the only difference is the 12v power supply that i dont need it because the arduino can work with 5v, now my question is to control the valve like you did (on & of) i should do the exact thing that you did just without using the power supply is that right?

[jenna_junk]

You don't need to connect a wire from the Arduino 5V to the breadboard. It's not being used at all.

[SunAndMoonAndEarth]

do we really have to use that transistor?

[nathanaelculak]

Would this work with a 12v 5-2 solenoid valve that connects to a larger pneumatic cylinder and an air compressor. Would I just neee a different transmitter

[lunaartemisvods]

I have a much larger solenoid and when plugged into a similar circuit the solenoid stays on, not caring about the transistor and the transistor rapidly heats up, is there a way around this?

[piyushsonigara]

Sir can u please explain how do i connect 2 solenoid valves, in the same setup.

[성찬영-pm]

I'm confused, what is the 5v from the arduino connecting to? I see you have it going to the rail but there's nothing else connecting to the rail.??? please answer

[HaidenMcGrath]

Great video! Quick question, why would someone use this transistor method over a 5v relay module? Thanks

[jaimecases]

Question: Can I use solenoid for a water despenser that will automatically stop when a cup is about to get full?

[pbostjancic]

Question, I would like the solenoid to open/close repeatedly every half second or so when I press a button. Can I simply add a micro switch into the circuit to the 5v +/-? As note the solenoid will be powered @ 10v using a dc power adapter via the VIN.