I would like to use some sort of lights or LED indicators to let me know if the NOS remote bottle valve is open or closed. Reason is so I dont forget to turn it off at the end of a day or find myself making a fool out of myself when I need to spray at that crucial moment!

I know I could go with a two way switch that is either ON or OFF and tie in lights/LEDS to indicate the switch (DPDT ?) status and the remote valve. However, I'm not too crazy about the idea of the solenoid on the remote valve being constantly energized in either the open or closed position.

The switch that comes with the NOS brand remote is a 3-way (ON - neutral - OFF) I believe. Im not sure if that is a momentary 3-way or not. I got the remote bottle valve used at a swap meet and it did not come with a switch. I was able to get a hold of an instruction sheet for the remote bottle valve. In it NOS states "...The solenoid does not require a constant current to hold a position, only to change a position." Like I said earlier.......I dont like the idea of keeping the solenoid engergized in either position.

So........

Anybody here using lights or LEDS to indicate the status of the remote bottle valve? If so I would appreciate you sharing what you did and/or recommendations. Thanks!

Mike

 

The best way to do it would be to use a latching relay. You give these relays a momentary pulse, which would be the same pulse that either opens or closes your bottle. The relay would stay latched, keeping an LED lit as long as you wanted. If you go to your local car stereo store, or even better, a local security shop, they should have a catalog with all these relays. Just tell them what you need, and they should be able to help you out. You would be suprised at how many different types of relays and switching devices exist.

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1989 IROC-Z 5.7L

 

OK here is a schematic I came up with (actually its the 6th revision):



The 'key' to this working the way I want is the STATUS INDICATOR CONTROL RELAY that is self latching. Pushing the REMOTE VALVE OPEN momentary switch engerizes the coil in that relay and pulls the contactor which also supplies power to the coil and turns on the green light. BTW..that momentary switch also powers up another relay which opens the bottle valve. When you release the momentary REMOTE VALVE OPEN switch the power to the bottle valve is dropped but the coil on the STATUS INDICATOR CONTROL RELAY remains energized due to the contactor being pulled over. The green light stays on........at least thats what Im thinking. When you push the REMOTE VALVE CLOSE momentary switch the power to the coil is now broken, the green light goes out and the red one comes on. The REMOTE VALVE CLOSE CONTROL RELAY is also energized at the same time thus shutting the bottle valve off.

Think this will work?

Mike


[edit] your now looking at the 6th revision! LOL!!!

[This message has been edited by WECoyote (edited February 23, 2001).]