Revisiting Packard shutters and solenoids

[couldabin]

So has anyone had any luck replacing the air piston on their Packard shutter with a solenoid? I found some discussion in this forum but couldn't determine whether anyone has succeeded (I'm pretty sure it's been done because I came across a website where the guy was selling used shutters, some with very DIY-looking solenoids attached.)

I think I can manage the timing/activation issues but am wondering about the stroke/lift requirements. Travel needed is about 1" but I'm not sure how much force is needed. (It doesn't feel like a lot but ...) Also, I wonder whether vibration would have to be mitigated.

TIA

 

[jimgalli]

Devils advocate here and also a happy user. Why re-invent the wheel. The air piston is an elegant solution that has worked well for 100 years. I used mine on friday last. (It was too cold after that and I'm a weenie when it's cold and windy out)

 

[couldabin]

Fair question. It's mainly because I want to explore "unattended" photography with the old homemade 4x5. My upcoming project involves taking a series of photographs at exactly the same time of day. That works well when I can be there, but at some point I may be tied up elsewhere. I have some ideas for other projects that would almost demand scheduled triggering of the shutter.

But it also satisfies my obsession with tinkering, marrying old technology with new ...

 

[jimgalli]

I have one from a process camera that already has the solenoid set up but I don't know what the voltage was. It's a 6" iirc. $40 if you'd like it. I also have an intervalometer somewhere but I think I'd have to really dig for that. You could set up an intervalometer but you couldn't make it change the film holders

 

[couldabin]

Well, if I can't get mine to work I just may take you up on that ...

 

[resummerfield]

Packard shutters are available new with solenoids (link). Maybe you could buy just the solenoid for your shutter?

 

[couldabin]

Wow. Who knew? Obviously I haven't checked their website for a while ... But it appears they want $210 more for the electric version, and it's a 120 VAC solenoid. The ones I was looking at come in 12 VDC (portability is a prerequisite) and start at about $10 retail. I'm quickly reaching the conclusion those are likely too small/weak. But even the larger ones (I'm simply going by the photo on Packard's website when I say "larger") were in the $40-50 range. I'll send Packard an email nonethless and see what they'd want for just a solenoid, out of curiosity if nothing else. Thanks for the suggestion.