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<p>You can do it with two dimmers for firing and alternating between
them, using DPDT switches on the knives. By alternating two
circuits and using a double pole switch, you break the cascade
that your initial idea was prone to. I can sketch this out for
you after work and send it if you need it. <br>
<br>
Stuart<br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 7/1/2025 5:07 AM, Jerry Durand via
Stagecraft wrote:<br>
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<font face="Arial">ratchet mechanism if you want old school. Each
time the solenoid is powered it pulls a pawl and advances a
rotary switch 1 position. You could also use a car door lock
mechanism in place of the solenoid, if you wish.<br>
<br>
</font><br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 01-Jul-25 8:37, Joe via Stagecraft
wrote:<br>
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cite="mid:1982126875.697012.1751348243038@mail.yahoo.com">
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<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I am designing a
simulated knife throwing effect. The kind that would be
used in Pajama Game. But, I am attempting to do it with a
target that would not be able to hide someone behind it,
to trigger the knives. So, I will be using solenoids to
release each knife. Rather than eat up a dimmer channel
for each knife, I am hoping to use just one DMX dimmer
channel to trigger them. </div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">At first, I figured I
would put a snap-switch on each knife, which would close
as soon as that knife were released. That switch would
then permit the next knife to be connected electrically to
my DMX dimmer channel. However, I soon realize that this
would only work as long as I carefully control the length
of time that the power is applied. Otherwise, all the
knives would be released in rapid succession. I realize
that the knife will not instantly be released, because it
will take short time for the knife to actually travel far
enough to activate the switch. But, perhaps there is a
more robust way to do this.</div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I know it it is possible
to do it with something like an Arduino, but I am also
trying to avoid the more complex electronics. I figure
there must be a way to do it with just relays... but I
can't figure it out.</div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">The next approach I
thought of is to use a "Selector Switch". These are
commonly used on electric guitars, to select among
multiple pickups. There are even ones with the 6 positions
that I need.</div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I also recall that there
are (Used to be?) motorized selector switches in industry
that would advance to the next contact for each time the
motor was energized. Though, I imagine modern electronics
have replaced those devices.</div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I guess I could create a
clock type of mechanism that would be activated by a
solenoid to push the guitar selector knob. But, of course,
I am hoping for a simpler solution that doesn't require as
much finesse to create.</div>
<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br>
</div>
Any suggestions?
<div><br>
</div>
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<div dir="ltr"
style="font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">-Joe</div>
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