An electromagnet combined with an actuator to convert electrical energy into linear physical motion.
2
votes
4answers
83 views
Use old PC power supply for 24v solenoids?
I'd like to use the +12 and -12 leads from an old PC power supply to power 24v irrigation solenoid valves. The values are rated 0.22A inrush current and 0.1A holding current.
I only plan on 1 or 2 ...
4
votes
1answer
167 views
Solenoid for opening door latch
I would like to open a door latch with solenoid using a IR reciever (basically remote control).
My questions are as follows:
What kind of signal (AC/DC) will I require through the solenoid?
Is it ...
5
votes
2answers
258 views
Solenoid Driving Circuit
I'm trying to drive a 12v (14W) solenoid and have problems figuring out the components for the driving circuit.
The solenoid draws about 1.166A and the MCU is being operated at 3.3V.
I've seen many ...
-1
votes
2answers
195 views
Robotic button pusher [closed]
I purchased a Gigapan Epic Pro a while back (www.gigapan.com).
I love this device but I would like to be able to access the buttons on it, from a distance. (I want to mount the unit on top of a ...
2
votes
2answers
229 views
Choosing a MOSFET for solenoid control via Arduino
I'm trying to drive a solenoid I took off an old pinball machine with an Arduino.
The pinball machine ran on 25 V AC and I've found that the solenoid was 2 Ω online (so 12.5 A). The Arduino puts out 5 ...
2
votes
2answers
146 views
Controlling the Power of a Solenoid
I am trying to control the force of a solenoid. My current system has a bank of capacitors connected to a relay. In order to control the force (how hard I am trying to hit the object) I am increasing ...
0
votes
0answers
86 views
What Solenoid type should be used when attempting to power with a battery/solar power source?
I am building yet another home irrigation system driven by my raspberry pi. I am using a transistor switching circuit like one linked in Solenoid Electrical Characteristics to switch a 12VDC solenoid ...
3
votes
2answers
195 views
From what used/junk equipment can I salvage solenoids from?
I have a few old 24V solenoids which I've used for years for random (often Halloween-related) projects. I can't recall where I got them. I'd like to get some more, but new ones can be rather high ...
6
votes
1answer
253 views
How can I prevent a 556 timer IC from becoming very hot?
I built the circuit described in a previous question/answer which I will repost here:
It's been running quite well, actuating the solenoid at regular intervals as designed. The TIP122 transistor is ...
3
votes
2answers
343 views
555 timer in astable mode: How can I achieve longer low output than high?
I'm attempting to make a simplistic solenoid driver circuit using a standard astable 555 timer configuration with a TIP122 NPN transistor. The problem with the current circuit is that the output is ...
-4
votes
1answer
126 views
How to calculate current and voltage necessary for a solenoid to lift a given mass to a given position?
When you have a solenoid like
without the core above and below, how do you calculate the current and voltage necessary to lift a metal rod of given mass m within the solenoid against gravity to a ...
2
votes
4answers
340 views
Picking out correct MOSFET for solenoid PWM control?
I'm attempting to control an automotive solenoid with PWM at 1250hz. At peak, the solenoid draws 3.75 Amps at 14.4 Volts. The specific problem is that any MOSFET that I've tried gets too hot and ...
0
votes
2answers
214 views
voltage determining solenoid force?
I made a silly beginner's mistake: I purchased some surplus rotary solenoids from electronic goldmine without paying close attention to their power requirements ("Oh, they are so cheap!"), so I ...
1
vote
2answers
297 views
MOSFET or bipolar to drive a solenoid valve?
I have to drive a 12V solenoid valve. In the datasheet it's written: Power: 8 W. So the current drawn by the solenoid is 0.666 A.
Usually, to drive small relay (about 10 or 20 mA) I use a bipolar ...
1
vote
1answer
228 views
How to determine the force of a solenoid based on inductance
I'm looking to potentially build my own small solenoids, I thought perhaps that I could take an Air core inductor, a spring, piece of plastic, and conductive core and build my own. Is there a way to ...
0
votes
1answer
177 views
Solenoid Power Source
So Im trying to make a solenoid a switch, but I have heard two different ways to power it: AC or DC power source. I learned in class that an AC power source would work because a solenoid is basically ...
0
votes
1answer
205 views
Looking for linear solenoid actuators less than 2 cm in length [closed]
Do such parts exist? Are they cheap?
I want to take a sheet of plastic and cover both sides with solenoids, some aligned in the X direction and some aligned in the Y direction. With at least a ...
0
votes
2answers
145 views
Help me interpret solenoid shopping info
I'm trying to get a cheap pull-type solenoid that can operate for at least ten seconds at a stretch to serve as an electronically-controlled ward in a lock (for a wooden box) I'm building.
I'm a ...
1
vote
2answers
274 views
Schematic review
I'm designing a control circuit to operate a watering system. I've got a main inlet valve, four outlet valves, and soil moisture sensors in the mix, driven from a 25.4 V CT transformer. I was ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Driving Solenoids from Arduino
I was wondering what the best way to run a solenoid would be from an Arduino board. I was thinking about using a MOSFET that runs into a relay to turn on the solenoid but am not sure how to go about ...
16
votes
3answers
877 views
Why aren't solenoid/electromagnet windings insulated?
This has been bugging me for a long time. Take this video for example.
I have always thought that electricity will take the shortest path. When the electromagnet's windings are uninsulated, it seems ...
1
vote
1answer
642 views
How to actuate a solenoid for maximum power without damaging it?
I want to activate the solenoid. See specs for 34 AWG solenoid here:
I am powering the solenoid with 12V. Which of the following two ways would give the most power?
Powering the solenoid for ...
9
votes
6answers
2k views
My MOSFET operated solenoid circuit destroys my Arduino inputs
I made a series of PCBs to power some solenoid valves that use an external power supply. I switch them with BS170 MOSFETs using an Arduino as gate signal.
I based it a solution by Jason S.
This is an ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
Driving a proportional solenoid from PWM via NPN/MOSFET
I'm very new to electronics and just want to get some feedback on a circuit + hopefully some explanation about a couple of points:
I have a digital pulse (PWM from controller ranging from ~0-300Hz) ...
-1
votes
1answer
152 views
Amplifying PWM to solenoid
I am driving a solenoid with a DRV103 (a driver for inductive loads by TI), but I need to allow more current to flow to the solenoid than the DRV103 can output. Initially, I tried a simple common ...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
What would a professional use to switch sprinkler solenoids?
As evidenced by several previous questions of mine, I'm working a project to design a sprinkler controller. This involves driving one of 16 solenoids (well, probably only one at a time...) based on a ...
8
votes
3answers
3k views
DIY small solenoid water valve
I’m developing a huge project, very cool but very complex, is a “water printer” based on the work of a Japanese artist. I’m an electrical engineer so I’m very good at electronics and software dev, so ...
3
votes
1answer
645 views
Do solenoids exhibit back EMF like motors?
I just purchased some pinball machine solenoids and was experimenting with them; DC resistance is about 30 ohm, they actuate at about 30 volts, and they hold at about 6. I tried controlling them with ...
1
vote
6answers
637 views
Long solenoid (50cm stroke)
I need to move a rod with a 50cm stroke.
Almost no force is needed(the rod is just for display purposes). Speed is also not essential.
I was thinking of creating a very long DC solenoid but I am ...
1
vote
2answers
865 views
Solenoid Alternative?
I wanted to use solenoids in previous projects and have been let down by the fact that I can't find them here in Egypt. Plus they are a bit expensive. My question is: is there an alternative that it ...
3
votes
2answers
702 views
How to make a solenoid armature travel at a faster rate of speed?
My project requires a solenoid with a stroke of 15mm and the travel speed must be 15mm in 2ms. What can be done to get higher speed of travel in the armature?
1
vote
4answers
424 views
Solenoid Electrical Characteristics
I'm looking at this line of solenoids, but I'm not sure how to figure out the electrical characteristics.
If the solenoid is rated at 12VDC, and 3W, does that mean I can strap it across a 12V supply, ...
2
votes
2answers
494 views
What IC is good for driving an array of smaller solenoids?
I have a 7 segment display where all segments are driven with a solenoid. In order to switch each segment I have to pulse a short current on the solenoid. To change the segment I have to pulse it in ...
4
votes
3answers
380 views
How does the size of a reservoir capacitor affect battery life?
I have a circuit, powered by a 9V alkaline, where a solenoid is actuated via a MOSFET. I have a large reservoir capacitor (4700uF electrolytic) on the high side of the solenoid. I was wondering how ...
1
vote
2answers
426 views
Way to discharge solenoid without (heated) resistors?
Here is a simple simulation of a schematic for my solenoid:
Once the switch is closed, the solenoid will be activated with ~80mA charge. When it is open (where the screenshot is at) it will ...
1
vote
3answers
245 views
Are solenoids/inductors dangerous to have exposed?
An inductor doubtfully will be in a position to be of harm, however a solenoid with 1A+ running through it (and of course a lot of it stored in the magnetic field) can certainly harm the circuit, if ...
5
votes
2answers
208 views
changing direction of solenoid
note I know essentially nothing about solenoids
I brought this solenoid thinking that I could use it to hit an object, but when I put it to a power supply, the only direction that it would go is ...
1
vote
2answers
357 views
Is there a device to control the current in a solenoid
I want to control the current in a solenoid using a microcontroller. Ideally, I would an IC which can do PWM with per-cycle current limiting, with an SPI input. Something like the Allegro A3972, with ...
1
vote
3answers
369 views
Electrical locking mechanism (on timer)
I'm looking at making a very basic, automatic cat feeder for the odd occasion I'm not around at 2pm when she gets fed. I figured I'd keep things simple by having a door that is spring loaded, but held ...
1
vote
4answers
1k views
Irrigation Valve (24VAC Solenoid) Multiplexing
I have a fairly extensive sprinkler system in which I have used all of the available wires. I've added new landscaping that requires irrigation, but without available wires to use for the valve ...
2
votes
2answers
482 views
Considerations for powering solenoid and arduino from the same power supply
I'm working on a project where I will need to power a small solenoid (probably 12V) and an Arduino Pro Mini 3.3V (3.3-12V input, onboard circuitry regulates to 3.3V). I'm thinking about using an ...
1
vote
1answer
694 views
Can I use a solid state relay to control a DC current?
Can I use an AC solid state relay to control a DC current as long as the DC voltage doesn't exceed the rated AC voltages?
I want to control a solenoid but I'm concerned about the inductance problem ...
4
votes
1answer
247 views
How to estimate inductive coupling between distant air coils
I have two air coils. They both have diameter d. There is a distance D between their centres.
D is much greater than d (more than 10x greater)
Both coils are at different angles, a and b, relative ...
0
votes
2answers
123 views
Solenoid Relative Force
For all those out there with solenoid experience I'm looking at a project using them for the 555 contest. The spec on most solenoids is ounces of force (at least in the price range I'm looking at). ...
6
votes
4answers
6k views
small cheap electronic solenoid valve?
I want to make a device that can control a small solenoid valve for dispensing fluids. Basically a circuit which powers on and off the solenoid at different time to allow the fluid to flow. The ...
3
votes
7answers
1k views
How can I control 128 (or more) solenoids?
I need to switch 128 solenoids either on or off individually, several times a second. I'd like to drive this from either a PC, or an embedded device.
How would you recommend I do this? Perhaps ...
6
votes
2answers
197 views
Can Solenoids Get Sticky From Improper Usage?
I bought three spring-return, push-type solenoid. I can't remember them being sticky from the start because I only was using one at a time, but they may have been. Now that I tried to work them ...
