2 guns, 1 trigger

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TurboSuper
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Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:22 pm

igpay wrote:
TurboSuper wrote: But are you planning on using it on 10 different barrels? Because otherwise, a single flip-flop will get the job done just fine.
I'm only using only two barrels for this project, so I guess I can use a flip-flop, if only I knew what a flip-flop was. I wikipedia'd it, but the definition wasn't really helpful. So if someone could tell me what a flip-flop does, and how to wire one up, maybe i can figure use one.

Thanks!
A flip-flop is esssentialy a memory device. A JK flip-flop, as the name implies, has J and K inputs. These are effectively set and reset respectively, however, they have an interesting 3rd property: When they are both set to high, the flip-flop operates in toggle mode. Therefore, every time you feed a clock pulse to it (your switch), the output will go from a 1 to a 0, or a 0 to a 1.

Flip-Flops also usually have the inverse of their output availiable (generally labeled Q and !Q), so that way, the output and it's inverse will alternate between 1 and 0 as they receive pulses in toggle-mode configuration.

I think from there, it should be pretty simple :D
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THUNDERLORD
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Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:01 pm

How about those little buttons they sell for a couple bucks(or one) that have a smiley face and an LED light for eyes.

The eyes flash one at a time.
So with a single impulse push button switch connected that should do it.

But that can't handle the current for sprinkler valve so you would need to hook the wires to an electronic switch or SCR(?)

Also in the auto shop they sell a light kit with lights that move like "Knight Rider" Hooked to two trigger buttons. Full auto or semi !!!

I have found a low tech/mechanical method to get a tech part again!!!
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EDIT:Hope my sarcasm didn't translate to badly on this text based medium. The theory how they work is important. For example if you could find buttons that use 9v, they could be connected together and the resistors, lights removed, the output tied together. But the pins on the chips would need to be connected so they're timed the same. Or connected to give more outputs.
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jimmy101
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Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:35 pm

Igpay's link is to a counter, not a shift register. It'll work fine for two barrels but more than two will get wierd. I believe the shift register will be a bit simpler for more than two barrels.

Thunderlord:
SCR's don't usually work in DC circuits. Once they are turned on the only way to turn them off is to remove the input voltage. Simply removing the trigger voltage won't turn an SCR off. SCRs are usually used in AC circuits. When the trigger voltage is removed the SCR will turn itself off the next time the AC voltage swings past zero.

Igpay:
If you are serious about building this I'm sure someone will help with the circuit design. For two barrels a flip-flop would be the way to go. Should be able to get everything needed from RadioShack. WAG the price at ~$25 for the control circuit.
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TurboSuper
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Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:43 pm

A pair of SCRs would work perfectly. You'd need a "main" relay anyways, since you don't want the gun to fire the moment you switch the whole doohickie on. Therefore, the moment you release the trigger, the main relay will open and reset the SCR.

And that link he posted was to a counter with a built-in demux. I'd say it would work better than a shift register because you don't have to parallel load it.
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