Noisy Solenoid

[spen]

My 6 months old solenoid is getting very noisy. To stop that noise, I used a screwdriver to knock at it. Will this damage the solenoid? Is there any better way to tackle this problem. Thanks in advance.

[heavenhell]

Hi spen, i recently bought a solenoid so not much experience but i believe that there should not be any noise. Where did u buy from? Maybe u can try bringing it back for repair. Using a screw driver to knock is not a good way, u may really end up damaging it.

[Aeon]

My solenoid also emit a buzzing sound when it's on. How noisy is yours? I'm used to buzzing sounds so mine might be as noisy as yours in db but just that I don't get bothered by it.

But don't knock it. you might kill it.

[tawauboy]

can the solenoid be detached from the solenoid valve?
check if the solenoid will emit noise when not attached to the solenoid valve. if no noise is emitted without the solenoid maybe some sort of damping material could be uded to reduce/eliminate the noise.

[shortman]

The whole assembel can be dismental into pieces but will need to remember which go the where. There is a coil in the magnetic core and small piece of metal tube that are used to stop the out flow. When power off it is release and move forward.

I would suspect the noice came from the coil when the magnetic field are power by the current maybe it is not sufficient to drive the metal tube backward.


Bredgs

[spen]

Hi Aeon, the buzzing is quite loud. Everyone at home is complaining.

Lately the sound seems disappear after a few hard knock on it. But I think this will not solve the problem permanently. Prepare to dismental it when it sounds again.

Also many thanks for all bros advise.

[Aeon]

Just a reminder / tip.

First one out, last one in. the fail-proof rule.

[vinz]

Have you tried dis-assembling and re-assembling it?

Mine used to buzz, but wiggling it usually stopped or reduced the noise level. Oddly enough, it stopped buzzing by itself after months and the problem has not returned since.

[spen]

Hi vicz, I have not tried dis-assembling. Is it complicate? Anyway it has been quiet for the pass few days. So wait and see. Will try dis-assembling when problem return. Many thanks

[Aeon]

maybe it was breaking in...

[vinz]

Usually there is a metal nut at the bottom of the solenoid (important: NOT the plastic nut like thing with the wire going thru it). If you remove the nut, the solenoid should slip off easily.

Sometimes that nut is loose or somehow the solenoid is not sitting properly. Use a dry cloth to wipe the now expose surfaces before reinstalling.

Please observe electrical safety at all times.

[elmike]

Btw, what's the average working life-span of a solenoid?
I know it's a meaningless question given differences in models and quality/price, but I'm just thinking whether there is any component inside that is subject to wear? If there is, wouldn't it be just a matter of time before it breaks down.

[tawauboy]

solenoid is just a coil of thin wire. no moving parts to talk about. they will breakdown eventually due to age. how it take depends on the quality of the solenoid and how it is used.

[elmike]

What is the mechanism involved in a breakdown?
If it's just a coil w no movable parts (there is little wear/ tear), say to create a magnetic field to operate the on/off component, wouldn't it be as durable as a coil of wire? I know HDB wirings can last 15-30 yrs.

[bclee]

If the part you refering to is the solenoid valve. It is a valve actuated by the solenoid. The solenoid may not fail... but it is the mechanical part actuating the valve that fails. You actually here the clicking sounds of the mechanical part when the solenoid turn on or off.

BC

[bclee]

[quote:64403f0a94="vinz"]Usually there is a metal nut at the bottom of the solenoid (important: NOT the plastic nut like thing with the wire going thru it). If you remove the nut, the solenoid should slip off easily.

Sometimes that nut is loose or somehow the solenoid is not sitting properly. Use a dry cloth to wipe the now expose surfaces before reinstalling.

Please observe electrical safety at all times.[/quote:64403f0a94]

I believe the nut adjust the actuator. The adjustment is not correct, the actuator actually oscillate between open and close like a buzzer.

BC

[tawauboy]

[quote:b06f4c209f="elmike"]What is the mechanism involved in a breakdown?
If it's just a coil w no movable parts ............[/quote:b06f4c209f]

the most likely failure mode is insulation breakdown.
also the solenoid could be engineered to fail after xx hours of operation. solenoid manufacturers need to make money as well.

[tawauboy]

[quote:3d38d7ba3b="bclee"][quote:3d38d7ba3b="vinz"]Usually there is a metal nut at the bottom of the solenoid (important: NOT the plastic nut like thing with the wire going thru it). If you remove the nut, the solenoid should slip off easily.

Sometimes that nut is loose or somehow the solenoid is not sitting properly. Use a dry cloth to wipe the now expose surfaces before reinstalling.

Please observe electrical safety at all times.[/quote:3d38d7ba3b]

I believe the nut adjust the actuator. The adjustment is not correct, the actuator actually oscillate between open and close like a buzzer.

BC[/quote:3d38d7ba3b]

i believe the nut that Vinz is referring to, is used to clamp the solenoid to the solenoid valve. if the solenoid is not clamped properly, it could induce some vibration.

[vinz]

[quote:9d33cbc65f="bclee"][quote:9d33cbc65f="vinz"]Usually there is a metal nut at the bottom of the solenoid (important: NOT the plastic nut like thing with the wire going thru it). If you remove the nut, the solenoid should slip off easily.

Sometimes that nut is loose or somehow the solenoid is not sitting properly. Use a dry cloth to wipe the now expose surfaces before reinstalling.

Please observe electrical safety at all times.[/quote:9d33cbc65f]

I believe the nut adjust the actuator. The adjustment is not correct, the actuator actually oscillate between open and close like a buzzer.

BC[/quote:9d33cbc65f]

Not on the one I have. It simply secures the portion containing the coil in position. There are no varying positions.