Solenoid gets warm -- what to do?

[tleip]

I installed a 120v solenoid from www.mcmaster.com (Part 7877K53) to the input side of my RO unit and have it hooked into an X-10 switch that comes on for 3 hours a day - I noticed that it gets very warm, almost too hot to hold in your hand. Is this normal and if not, what to do about it?

Thanks,

Terry

[BeanAnimal]

It's normal for the solenoid to get rather "warm" It is an electromagnetic device. Kinda like a transformer. When actuated it uses current and disipates the energy as heat. Hold your doorbell button in for 3 hours and see how "warm" its coil is.

[Zephrant]

Instead of turning it on for 3 hours a day, turn it on for 5 minutes at a time, 5 times an hour.

You can also mount it on an aluminum plate to spread the heat.

Zeph

[Wallygator]

Most solenoids are not made to stay on that long. You will need to get a different one that has a larger duty cycle or run it less. If you don't, it will burn out!!!! :eek1:

[tleip]

It doesn't mention about the duty cycle on this or others, so it's hard to know which to use.

What are other people using for top-off control solenoids?

Thx,

T

[JB NY]

I've been using this solenoid for almost 1 1/2 years to fill up my 50 gallon storage tank with RO/DI. Once a week I turn it on till the float turns it back off. It's generally on anywhere from 9-20 hours at a time. No problems with it at all.

[tleip]

Does it get warm for you too?

[69vette]

Originally posted by tleip
comes on for 3 hours a day - I noticed that it gets very warm, almost too hot to hold in your hand.

If this is all the hotter it gets it'll be fine. I use these same solenoids for all my top-offs. Though mine don't stay on for more than 15 minutes at a time.

[JB NY]

Originally posted by tleip
Does it get warm for you too?

yes.

[tleip]

Thanks, I just wanted to make sure I didn't cause a fire or something. The wife has been patient with the occasional water on the floor, but a fire would probably stretch things..

Terry