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I'll keep it simple. I'm working on a device that makes use of a circuitry board, a motion detector, a solenoid, and some pressurizing. I understand the basics of how the device works, but setting up the electronic bits is beyond me.

Anyone have any good ideas for getting help in this regard? I don't need someone to make anything, just explain what I need and why.

With no joking intended I seem to remember Radio Shack sold a set with a numbered PCB and some components to make a number of devises including a motion activated klaxon. IIRC the directions were pretty comprehensive. Have you considered something like that? Oh right the joking part, it was a set for kids aged like 9-14. Some of those basic sets have all the components and directions you could ask for for projects like the one you described.

That's interesting. I've never seen a kit like that before. Then again I haven't seen a radioshack in some time, much less walked into one.

In another forum I mentioned using arduino, but then someone said there's no point because what I discussed wouldn't use one.

I'm also curious what kind of force a solinoid can put out. More specifically is it enough to rupture a co2 cartridge via a metal spike driven into the thin seal on the top.

Basically the device functions more or less like this.

Motion sensor tripped->(optional) sound is played->solinoid is activated, possibly after a time delay.

Edit - I expect it do need a battery of some form, so there's that bit of wiring too.

I had one probably 20 years ago, maybe thats too high brow for RS these days. Heres at least the motion detector one.
http://www.hobbyengineering.com/H4063.html
But I was talking more about these.
http://www.hobbyengineering.com/H4438.html
http://www.hobbyengineering.com/H1006.html
which both appear to be out of stock. But that should head you down the right road...? maybe.
Is there a Fry's Electronics near you?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Depends on the solenoid you get what it can do. You can probably get that from the R/C world.
Wiring in power is probably the easiest part of the process. don't sweat that. Even if you have to build your own battery pack its so easy a monkey can do it (I have so...there's that.)


Automatically Appended Next Post:
This must be a common project
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100624104841AA6D1Ne
I am rather unsatisfied by the answer.