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electromagnetic relays and electric magnets — Parallax Forums

electromagnetic relays and electric magnets

hip36hip36 Posts: 4
edited 2014-05-27 07:35 in General Discussion
I am trying to shop for 5V or 9V mechanical relays and set/ release electromagnets. Not to good on web searches, probably vocabulary weakness. I need shafts to move at the touch of a button, or when set high, spring return should work; A plunger in and out of a coil. Needed to latch the jib on a model crane, for automated setup, and to switch spindles from tilt to lift. I also need magnets to use as hooks, or like a salvage yard crane's magnet. Surely these are retail items, but I am having no luck with internet searches. Are there particular names I should be searching for to find these devices?

Comments

  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2014-05-25 15:21
    Search for:
    "relays" for mechanical relays
    "solenoids" for the shaft/plunger electromagnet
    "electromagnetic gripper" for the crane magnet
  • bill190bill190 Posts: 769
    edited 2014-05-26 09:08
    FYI - Another name for a relay is "contactor". Those are used for higher voltage electrical switching applications. Turning on outside lights, machinery, etc.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2014-05-26 09:20
    You may have better luck with 12volt and 24volt electromagnetic devices than 5v or 9v.

    There are latching relays that were not mentioned above. But the reality is that you might find that the best days of electro-magnetic devices have come and gone. There were a lot used in early daisy-wheel printers or teletype equipment, but no longer. You may have to design and build your own electro-magnets if your needs are very specific. Plastic bobins are available and enamel wire comes in a wide range of sizes.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2014-05-27 07:35
    It sounds as if you are model building and want the eletro-magnetics to do the mechanical motion. It would help to have an idea of what scale you are trying to build to. The smaller you go, the more difficult it may be to find existing parts.

    Here is a Hong Kong supplier for electro-magnets for lifting. http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC12V-OD60mm-154LB-70-0kg-Electric-Lifting-Magnet-Holding-Electromagnet-Solenoid-/150883909052?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232161bdbc

    Sizes go down to a small 2.4 watts at 6 volts. For 9volt and lower, try miniture solenoids.
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