Mac Valve question

[yorkmiss]

Does anyone have the information on the pin layout for the MAC valves, and what voltage they use?
I'm going to try to hook my the show this weekend, and I'm connecting to my home made controller - so I dont' want to blow anything out.

I'm assuming they are 24vDC - as most are. The pin layout in my big question. I can figure out what pin is for what solenoid, but I just would like to know what pin is the ground is.

Thanks Yall!

[captslappy]

They are definately 24v DC. I believe each pin corresponds to the movement and 23 and 24 are grounds. I can't not say this with 100% certainty tho.

[captslappy]

This was posted on the animatronics world group but for anyone not on there that is interested what I said above on the pin out is correct.

[yorkmiss]

Thanks Cap!
I got the email from Aaron saying that is correct too...

Sorry to keep asking all these questions - but I just spent a useless hours at Radio Shack >: having some kid saying they can't get ends for the mac valve connectors anylonger? Perhaps I should post this in the "problems" section...
But can you (or anyone) tell me what the name or type of 24 pin connection these are? Anyone know where you can get the male ends of these things?
Radio shack doesnt even carry "normal" cable ends anylonger... :|

[captslappy]

The connectors used on the character cables are no longer available. They are totally obsolete but do come up on ebay. Not sure what to call them other than 24 pin connectors. These were used in the early 80s. If you aren't going to use a grey box computer you might consider using something more modern like a 25 pin D-sub.

[Billy Bob Brockali]

Beth,

They are specifically called "centronics" (24 pin) connectors (IEEE-488) , and yes they are old, but still availible from any large electronics supplier (as are most replacment chips for the Playback and Driver Boards).

A good place to start is www.halted.com and do a search for centronics. If you have any trouble, let me know and I can help you track them down.

Allof this should be merged into the other thread, but I believe one of the few things Radio Shack actually carries are the different Molex connectors that are used in the Gray Box power and accessory connections.

[captslappy]

All of my valve banks are SOLD.

[captslappy]

I see how they are done. I got curious and took the insulation off of
one of my banks. There are 2 wires coming off each selinoid. One on
the right and one on the left. The right side looking at the back of the bank is negative.
The negative wires off each valve are all shorted together in a bunch and pins 23 and 24 are soldered to
that group and the other wires coming off the left
side of each valves (positive) are each soldered to the
corresponding pin on the connector. Movement 1 goes to pin 1, 2 to
2, etc. Very straight forward.

I have quite a few valve banks in various states of disrepair that can be easily fixed with a few hours of work. Its just a matter of getting the right number of valves together, making sure the nozzles match up (some use both, some use only the top and some use only the bottom port) and then soldering the connector on to them. I can also do other types of connectors if needed. If anyone needs valve banks let me know. I don't know how many I can get together but I have about 75 individual mac valves. Bigger characters like Mitzi, Billy Bob and Rolfe will use up more valves so that is a factor. I think I have one good Fatz bank ready to go if anyone needs it. Mscherpenberg@yahoo.com