About two years ago [2003] I built a solenoid system for my Ampico, I used small PCB mounted 12 volt solenoids which open Tee's in the tracker bar tubing. These solenoids are mounted in one row right above the player valves (in my upright). Its a Haines pedal Ampcio A but with full expression / crescendos, (as original) now modified with an electric pump. Same as the normal electric Ampico but has no primary valves hence the space for the e-valves! To activate these valves I purchased a "Hut Electronics" midi decoder board which drives the solenoids directly from its 128 outputs. And of course I found your incredible library of roll scans that work fine on my midi system, when converted to e-rolls.My principal components came from:
Hut Electronics Midi Decoder 128 board
www.gemhut.com/hmeproducts.htmSolenoids are BLP Components series 45D Part # 45D-120-610-620 (12 volt continuous rated)
blpcomp.com - no longer active
I purchased them here [in Australia] through RS components RS# 196-6226.On the end of the solenoids are wooden piano action buttons glued to the plunger and then faced on a lathe. Then there is felt and Kangaroo leather. The movement is about 1-1.5mm, using more felt as a cushion to stop the plunger before hitting the bottom.
After experimenting with springs I decided to just use gravity to return the valve shut. Also, having no springs made it much easier for the coil to pull the plunger open.
I use a 14volt regulated DC 8amp power supply for the solenoids, the decoder board also needs an additional 5VDC supply. The decoder board can drive up to 30VDC and 500ma, so it drives the solenoids directly with just the addition of a reverse diode mounted behind the solenoid coil.
The wooden block holds the Tee, tubes from behind carry on up to the tracker bar. So there has been no real extension of any tubing. All the expression solenoids are mounted behind the spoolbox.
For further information, Peter Coggins may be contacted at removed
Back to e-Valve Home