If it is feasable, replace the ac solenoid with a zero crossing solid state relay, then use the signal that controller the 12V relay to control the SSR. Mechanical relays switching currents is just plain bad news for control electronics. The reason is two fold, one contacts bounce. Bounce is like a switch that opens and closes a number of times over tens of milliseconds with arcing happening on each make and break of the contacts. The generates some nasty emi and rfi. The second reason is that mechanical relays are indifferent to what the current is when they switch, so if that bounce occurs on the higher current portions of the ac waveform, the interferrence is worse. A zero crossing SSR will turn on when the AC waveform is a zero, the result is quiet switch event.
Phil, Still too many interests, too many projects, and not enough time!!!!!!!!
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