[neonixie-l] Re: Circuit help...it's in a clock.....

['orange_glow_fan' via neonixie-l]

>
>
> A quick explanation. The clock is basically auto wound by the solenoid. 
> When the contacts close the solenoid is energized which pulls the 
> arm/contact down quickly,  kicking the auto wind mechanism and moving the 
> lower contact arm away from the upper, opening the circuit. As the clock 
> runs, the lower contact moves upwards toward the upper arm/contact until 
> they close and the cycle starts over. 
>
> As now modified, the contacts on the solenoid only ground the gate of the 
> Mosfet. (plus the arm still supplies the mechanical kick to the wind asm. ) 
>
> Clear as mud?
>

So yes, the contacts could have stuck, but as there is so little current 
involved in their operation it seems unlikely. ?  I guess the auto wind 
mech. could have jammed and the contacts wouldn't have been able to 
separate but there wasn't any evidence of that when the smoke cleared away. 

The flywheel diode lives at the solenoid, however there is a 4 inch three 
conductor ribbon cable that exits the clock and goes to the small 
transistor board. Adding a diode there should be easy. 

You also mentioned adding a zener diode to the gate. What voltage would you 
recommend? 


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