Solenoid activation circuitry using high voltage

In a solenoid activation circuitry utilizing a low voltage source of power and providing a high voltage for energizing from a low voltage source of power a low voltage solenoid a coil with a movable plunger therein movable between actuated and deactuated positions and forming an air gap representing the required travel of the plunger, a high voltage capacitor having first and second terminals, means connecting the second terminal to ground, a converter having input and an output, the input being adapted to be connected to the low voltage source of power and the output being connected to the first terminal of the capacitor, means for sensing the voltage on the first terminal of the capacitor to ascertain when the voltage on the first terminal of the capacitor has reached a predetermined high voltage which is substantially above that of the low voltage of the power source and substantially above the low voltage normally applied to the solenoid and means connected to the solenoid for causing the capacitor to discharge into the solenoid when the predetermined high voltage has been reached on the capacitor to overcome the air gap in the solenoid to move the plunger into an actuated position and means for supplying a low voltage from the low voltage source of power to the solenoid to sustain the solenoid in the actuated position after it has been moved to the actuated position.