From: "Dwayne Reid" Ray Gallant wrote: > >My solenoid load is (24VDC, 800mA). The PWM is 20kHz, (pic driven). The > >opto-coupler output is 5 volts. The FET's high level input is 5 > >volts. Will this opto drive the FET properly? (y/n) Cost is not an issue, > >but performance is. I will address filtering later! > > I've read some of your later responses and can offer my experience. > > It sounds as if you are driving a hydraulic control valve. I do this in > several products using a low frequency PWM current source based on a SG3526 PWM controller. I mention that my feedback is current rather than voltage this reduces the inaccuracy caused by temperature changes in the solenoid winding. My PWM frequency is around 500 Hz - this low frequency causes vibration which reduces the hysteresis caused by the solenoid core > 'sticking' in place. > > Now back to your FET driver. You say that the opto-coupler output is > 5V. Where is the 5V supply coming from? >_________________ Things are going slow today: had to replace the thermal circuit breaker in my coffee machine! grrrr. All on the high side of the opto: I have a 24VDC. I plan, later, to add filter stages with plenty of bandwidth utilizing operation voltage of 5VDC. For the moment, I have used a LM317L regulator to provide 5VDC. Tx for the feedback, I will definitely check out this concept/avenue. {slewrate} -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.