Hey guys, I intend on having something more automated and computer-controlled in the future, but since I want to be able to brew something this year, I want to put together a cheap control panel. And since the valves I'm looking at don't have manual override, I need something that can actuate all the valves as needed.
So my idea was to put in a rotary switch carrying the PID's DC output, with each position keeping the right valves open or closed for each task - all closed/transfer strike water/recirculate the mash/sparge/recirculate boil through plate chiller to sanitize and whirlpool/chill and knock out/cleaning configuration... hopefully you get the point.
Only problem is that most if not all valves are going to be needed open for more than just a single task, and simply wiring it up would have the current travel back to the switch through the other wires connected to the valve and essentially energize all poles, resulting in all valves always being open.
Up until now, almost all my electrical work has been with AC power. But since the valves are powered by 12V DC, I'm thinking I can just wire the valves from the switch in parallel, and add a diode to each of these wires, as it's my understanding that diodes can be used to allow current to pass in only one direction, allowing current to go from the purposely energized pole on the switch while preventing it from traveling back to poles on the switch that I don't want energized.
Am I correct in assuming this will work? And if so, would somebody mind showing me the kind of diode I'll need to buy, and the correct way to orient it? As I really have no idea... the only diodes I've used in the past have been LEDs. And speaking of which... if I wanted, could I use LEDs to do the job to also get a visual representation on my panel of which valves are open? I'll be buying off Mouser, if someone would be so kind to show me the kind of diode I need, and hopefully explain the particular specs I need to look out for (and why).
And if the whole diode idea can't work, could someone explain why, and perhaps provide an alternative solution? I know I could achieve it using relays, but with the sheer number of valves multiplied by the numerous configurations I need, it would be hugely impractical, not to mention expensive - defeating the purpose of this whole thing.
Thanks in advance for any help that can be provided, and I'm crossing my fingers that I'm on to something with the switch + diodes idea, as it'd allow me to build a 50A control panel for dirt cheap while I save up for a much better monitoring + control solution.
So my idea was to put in a rotary switch carrying the PID's DC output, with each position keeping the right valves open or closed for each task - all closed/transfer strike water/recirculate the mash/sparge/recirculate boil through plate chiller to sanitize and whirlpool/chill and knock out/cleaning configuration... hopefully you get the point.
Only problem is that most if not all valves are going to be needed open for more than just a single task, and simply wiring it up would have the current travel back to the switch through the other wires connected to the valve and essentially energize all poles, resulting in all valves always being open.
Up until now, almost all my electrical work has been with AC power. But since the valves are powered by 12V DC, I'm thinking I can just wire the valves from the switch in parallel, and add a diode to each of these wires, as it's my understanding that diodes can be used to allow current to pass in only one direction, allowing current to go from the purposely energized pole on the switch while preventing it from traveling back to poles on the switch that I don't want energized.
Am I correct in assuming this will work? And if so, would somebody mind showing me the kind of diode I'll need to buy, and the correct way to orient it? As I really have no idea... the only diodes I've used in the past have been LEDs. And speaking of which... if I wanted, could I use LEDs to do the job to also get a visual representation on my panel of which valves are open? I'll be buying off Mouser, if someone would be so kind to show me the kind of diode I need, and hopefully explain the particular specs I need to look out for (and why).
And if the whole diode idea can't work, could someone explain why, and perhaps provide an alternative solution? I know I could achieve it using relays, but with the sheer number of valves multiplied by the numerous configurations I need, it would be hugely impractical, not to mention expensive - defeating the purpose of this whole thing.
Thanks in advance for any help that can be provided, and I'm crossing my fingers that I'm on to something with the switch + diodes idea, as it'd allow me to build a 50A control panel for dirt cheap while I save up for a much better monitoring + control solution.