Driver box for a boost solenoid
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Launching!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 46
From: Dayton, OH
Driver box for a boost solenoid Checking to see if anyone knows of a box that will do what I want it to do before I put design together. I'm looking for an inexpensive driver for a boost solenoid. $100 - $200 weatherized for under hood would work.
It needs to accept a trigger input from a momentary switch and output a 30 Hz square wave at 12 V which starts at some low duty cycle like 10% and increase linearly to 100%, 90% would be sufficient. The rate of increase of the square wave needs to be linear and adjustable from 1 to 5 seconds or so.
The boost solenoid is a 3 port Mac boost control Valve, 35A-AAA-DDBA-1BA. The current draw is < 500 mA.
I bought an ST Micro 32 ARM kit from Digikey which should be able to accept the trigger and generate the 30 Hz square wave. I'm looking to see if there is an off the shelf solution before I go down the rabbit hole. LOL
The end game is a 200 HP "push-to-pass" control for a CSC that triggers off a switch like you would use for nitrous.
It needs to accept a trigger input from a momentary switch and output a 30 Hz square wave at 12 V which starts at some low duty cycle like 10% and increase linearly to 100%, 90% would be sufficient. The rate of increase of the square wave needs to be linear and adjustable from 1 to 5 seconds or so.
The boost solenoid is a 3 port Mac boost control Valve, 35A-AAA-DDBA-1BA. The current draw is < 500 mA.
I bought an ST Micro 32 ARM kit from Digikey which should be able to accept the trigger and generate the 30 Hz square wave. I'm looking to see if there is an off the shelf solution before I go down the rabbit hole. LOL
The end game is a 200 HP "push-to-pass" control for a CSC that triggers off a switch like you would use for nitrous.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 46
From: Dayton, OH
This has possibilities.
Turbosmart Dual Stage Boost Controller
The new dual-stage boost controller features a billet aluminum housing and bullet valve technology for ultra-fast boost response with two adjustable boost levels. Toggle between great and low boost on the fly. Ideal replacement for factory boost controllers. Both high and low boost settings are fully adjustable.
The manual says it has two different rate increase settings but is devoid of operating theory.
Turbosmart Dual Stage Boost Controller
The new dual-stage boost controller features a billet aluminum housing and bullet valve technology for ultra-fast boost response with two adjustable boost levels. Toggle between great and low boost on the fly. Ideal replacement for factory boost controllers. Both high and low boost settings are fully adjustable.
The manual says it has two different rate increase settings but is devoid of operating theory.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 46
From: Dayton, OH
The Cortex EBC and Micro Squirt are interesting, thank you. If I understand them they are primarily to control fuel injectors and turbochargers. That is to say, normal engine and engine related functions. As far as I can tell, neither will give me the output I am looking for, a 30 Hz square wave that once initiated, will increase from 10% to 100% at a pre-selected linear rate.
The SIRHC Labs does have a solenoid driver that I can use. Thank you @NicD ! Nice website. Will you be at PRI?
The ST Micro 32 ARM will give me the increasing square wave and with the SIRHC Labs solenoid driver https://sirhclabs.com/product/low-amp-solenoid-driver/ I have 2/3rds of the solution.
I want to use the shifter paddles to actuate this system, hence "Push-To-Pass". I got a schematic of the paddles switches. I'll be darned if I can figure out why the 12 Volts to the paddle switches runs through the air bag heater coils. LOL
The SIRHC Labs does have a solenoid driver that I can use. Thank you @NicD ! Nice website. Will you be at PRI?
The ST Micro 32 ARM will give me the increasing square wave and with the SIRHC Labs solenoid driver https://sirhclabs.com/product/low-amp-solenoid-driver/ I have 2/3rds of the solution.
I want to use the shifter paddles to actuate this system, hence "Push-To-Pass". I got a schematic of the paddles switches. I'll be darned if I can figure out why the 12 Volts to the paddle switches runs through the air bag heater coils. LOL
Im sure you could repurpose injector outputs, but I have not done that. But they have dedicated outputs that you can very at an adjustable hz. range. Want to say the MAC valve I had was a 19hz. I used them to control DC to a SSR to PWM control a methanol pump. Also used the same outputs to control a MAC valve directly for BC.It also works great. Used them for Idle control valves, etc. The MICRO only has one PWM output. But has others that can be repurposed. As well as 7 analog inputs, 12v out, 2 basic on/off outs, etc.
If you wanted a “push to pass” Why not setup a simple on/off switch that either bleeds or blocks boost signals to the gate? Would be much cheaper and less complex. On a few of my older setups I would simply install a solenoid to the lower port on the gate and close it to roughly double the boost. (instant scramble button for $2 worth of parts). Or incorporate a bleed and solenoid to the top of the gate to add a few lbs. Lots of ways to accomplish what you are wanting without overcomplicating it IMO. The real benefit of PWM control IMO is when you are using w traction control. IE slip signal from driveshaft and wheel sensors. Or wheel speed in general. IF you simply want a scramble button… why do you need a complex system?
If you wanted a “push to pass” Why not setup a simple on/off switch that either bleeds or blocks boost signals to the gate? Would be much cheaper and less complex. On a few of my older setups I would simply install a solenoid to the lower port on the gate and close it to roughly double the boost. (instant scramble button for $2 worth of parts). Or incorporate a bleed and solenoid to the top of the gate to add a few lbs. Lots of ways to accomplish what you are wanting without overcomplicating it IMO. The real benefit of PWM control IMO is when you are using w traction control. IE slip signal from driveshaft and wheel sensors. Or wheel speed in general. IF you simply want a scramble button… why do you need a complex system?
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The Cortex EBC and Micro Squirt are interesting, thank you. If I understand them they are primarily to control fuel injectors and turbochargers. That is to say, normal engine and engine related functions. As far as I can tell, neither will give me the output I am looking for, a 30 Hz square wave that once initiated, will increase from 10% to 100% at a pre-selected linear rate.
Yup we'll be there, should be fun!
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Launching!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 222
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From: Dayton, OH
I appreciate the feedback, thanks.
"If you wanted a “push to pass” Why not setup a simple on/off switch that either bleeds or blocks boost signals to the gate?"
You may have missed the fact that this is a centrifugal, not a turbo. With a turbo, a function like you have suggested would result in a somewhat ramped increase in boost and power as the turbo spools up. In my situation the CSC is already spooled way up and the boost controller is limiting boost to ~ 10 PSI/800 WHP. It does this by allowing the BoV to open a little. Since the CSC is already spooled way up a hard shut off with a solenoid would result in jumping instantly from 800 WHP to 1,000+. Like a 200 plus shot of nitrous all at once. Not what I am looking for.
Gradually closing the solenoid over a period of 2 or 3 seconds would ramp the power up in a manageable way and I could let off when I pulled ahead or felt I was losing traction. In that way it is kind of like a scramble button but a soft ramp. This is for roll racing btw, not drags.
I will be at PRI Friday late morning and again all day Saturday.
Friday, 3 to 4:30 I will be at "All-Star Panel: Professional Cylinder Head/Induction System Designers." Preston Mosher of BES/Bischoff is one of the speakers. He is doing the heads for my new engine.
"If you wanted a “push to pass” Why not setup a simple on/off switch that either bleeds or blocks boost signals to the gate?"
You may have missed the fact that this is a centrifugal, not a turbo. With a turbo, a function like you have suggested would result in a somewhat ramped increase in boost and power as the turbo spools up. In my situation the CSC is already spooled way up and the boost controller is limiting boost to ~ 10 PSI/800 WHP. It does this by allowing the BoV to open a little. Since the CSC is already spooled way up a hard shut off with a solenoid would result in jumping instantly from 800 WHP to 1,000+. Like a 200 plus shot of nitrous all at once. Not what I am looking for.
Gradually closing the solenoid over a period of 2 or 3 seconds would ramp the power up in a manageable way and I could let off when I pulled ahead or felt I was losing traction. In that way it is kind of like a scramble button but a soft ramp. This is for roll racing btw, not drags.
I will be at PRI Friday late morning and again all day Saturday.
Friday, 3 to 4:30 I will be at "All-Star Panel: Professional Cylinder Head/Induction System Designers." Preston Mosher of BES/Bischoff is one of the speakers. He is doing the heads for my new engine.
Last edited by SteveJewels; Nov 18, 2022 at 06:28 AM.
Definitely missed that part! Surprised you’d be dumping 200hp worth of air up top in “normal” operation. That seems like a ton!
Have you considered just using timing? You’d have much more precise control that way IMO. Seems counter productive to bleed boost. On any decent surface I’m all in with boost and simply pull timing over X amount of seconds. Sometimes pulling timing back to 0* of total advance if needed. Super common in turbo world anyway.
Could vary the “WG” signal by wheel speed as well with a mega squirt… worked really for my car on the street. Once I hit around 60mph I could pretty much ramp it all in.
Let us know if you find a super economical solution..
Have you considered just using timing? You’d have much more precise control that way IMO. Seems counter productive to bleed boost. On any decent surface I’m all in with boost and simply pull timing over X amount of seconds. Sometimes pulling timing back to 0* of total advance if needed. Super common in turbo world anyway.
Could vary the “WG” signal by wheel speed as well with a mega squirt… worked really for my car on the street. Once I hit around 60mph I could pretty much ramp it all in.
Let us know if you find a super economical solution..
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I'm partial to DIY cause it gives you more flexibility. Do you really want a 12 volt square wave out? Easier if one side of the solenoid is connected to 12V and the other side is pulsed to ground. Same result, but easier. One arduino nano, one resistor, one mosfet. super simple software. I enclose these in a small plastic enclosure, sealed with gasket sealant and it lives in the engine bay.
Last edited by LSswap; Nov 17, 2022 at 05:48 PM.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,308
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Here is a single driver board if you don't feel like soldering your own components.
This one is 4 drivers, enough to operate a 4L80E:
This one is 4 drivers, enough to operate a 4L80E:
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 46
From: Dayton, OH
Thank you @LSswap ! Very nice!
The PWM'd 12 VDC is the effect I was looking for at the solenoid. I was trying to keep the description simple.
I ordered a SIRHC Labs solenoid driver which will be switched by the ST Micro 32 ARM.
Now I need to figure out two things, how to program the ST Micro ARM to produce the increasing rate square wave and why the 12 VDC to the paddle shifters goes through the air bag heater coil. That one has me baffled.
The PWM'd 12 VDC is the effect I was looking for at the solenoid. I was trying to keep the description simple.
I ordered a SIRHC Labs solenoid driver which will be switched by the ST Micro 32 ARM.
Now I need to figure out two things, how to program the ST Micro ARM to produce the increasing rate square wave and why the 12 VDC to the paddle shifters goes through the air bag heater coil. That one has me baffled.
