Phil Dayson wrote:

> I have no concern about the solenoids burning out during regular
> playing; they can stay on at full voltage for 10 to 20 minutes without
> a problem.  It is only if the MIDI board causes a hang up and I do not
> notice it that there might be a difficulty -- a solenoid could stay on
> for days!

I actually had this happen as follows.  MIDI notes can be turned off
in two ways: a 'note off' command can be sent or a 'note on' command can
be sent with a velocity of 0.

The unit I was using only recognized one way of turning off a note,
and I was experimenting with a new system that only sent the other way
of turning off the note.  Well, the solenoid got plenty hot in the hour
before I realized one note was stuck on.  After it cooled down no
damage was done.  Just goes to show it can happen.

Bob Lag