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I have a Proportional solenoid valve that uses a 0-30VDC for control (opening the orifice) I only have capability to provide 0-5V or 0-10V. I need to control the valve using my PC. Is there any DC Power supply device that I can control using PC to provide 0-30V (that I can change continuously as required during operation)? I have tried a voltage multiplier circuit. I am getting the required voltage but the Transistors (BC547) are burning out quickly due to over-current/heating.

I am not a electrical/electronics engineer hence don't know if there is a better transistor or how to choose one.

Hence, searching for the PC controllable DC Power supply. if available. This is the circuit I have tested. But the BC547 transistor is burning out after 5 min.

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  • $\begingroup$ There are plenty of controllable power supplies. What is your budget? $\endgroup$
    – Mahendra Gunawardena
    Aug 13, 2019 at 10:53
  • $\begingroup$ Can you post the diagram of the voltage multiplier circuit? Also take look at E3630 Series Bench Power Supply They are expensive but will do the job. $\endgroup$
    – DiaperHands
    Aug 13, 2019 at 12:58
  • $\begingroup$ I have added the Image of the circuit to my Question. I have 6 proportional solenoid valves to control and each requires 0-30VDC to operate. 0V for close and 30 V for 100% open. Any voltage in between opens the valve by a proportional amount $\endgroup$
    – ZenMaster
    Aug 15, 2019 at 16:21
  • $\begingroup$ I have a NI DAQ that can provide 0-10VDC or 0-5VDC to control the voltage multiplier or the DC power supply $\endgroup$
    – ZenMaster
    Aug 15, 2019 at 18:10
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    $\begingroup$ You are attempting to use a switching transistor to drive a power load. Absolute maximum I_c is 100mA. And you want 400mA. No wonder it burns out. $\endgroup$
    – StainlessSteelRat
    Aug 21, 2019 at 1:17

2 Answers 2

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One good solutions is to use a L298N Dual H-Bridge breakout board. There are plenty of of these boards in the market. The Break out board looks something like the following

Motor Driver 2A Dual L298 H-Bridge

Based on the image below it should be able to handle your voltage requirements.

enter image description here

Also the BC547 transistor has max current of 100mA. The Solenoid most likely is sourcing more than 100mA of currents.

enter image description here

References:

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  • $\begingroup$ @MahendraGunawardane Thank you very much for the suggestions. I will definitely see if the L298N Dual H-Bridge breakout board works wit the valves. At this point ordering NI modules and waiting for it will consume a lot of time. Also, I will need at least three such modules to individually control the valves making the whole affair very expensive. We decided to make our own control circuit because the valve providers(Cole - Parmer) was charging exorbitant amounts(around 520$ each ) for the controller alone. $\endgroup$
    – ZenMaster
    Aug 21, 2019 at 4:25
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I have found a good device that served my purpose very well.

https://www.scientificindia.com/products/programmable-3-channel-power-supply-1.aspx

enter image description here

This type of device is also available from manufacturers like Siglent outside India.

Thank you for all the responses.

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