Solenoids are like magic electromagnets. They're made of a large copper - wire coil with a metal slug in the middle. When you power up the coil, the slug gets pulled into the coil's center, letting the solenoid either pull from one end or push from the other. This particular solenoid is bulkier than our small 5V one. It has a 27mm long body, a 10mm throw, and a 'captive' armature with a return spring. When you activate it with up to 6VDC and then remove the voltage, it bounces back to its original position, which is super useful. Many cheaper solenoids are either just push - type or pull - type, and they might not have a captive armature or a return spring. You should power this solenoid with about 6VDC (5 to 6V works great). Once powered, it turns into a magnet, and when you cut the power, it's just a normal piece of metal again. Since it's a coil, use a motor or solenoid driver with kick - back protection. It draws a good amount of current: 800mA at 5V and 1 Amp at 6V, so a strong driver is a must. Our Crickit boards work well if you use a motor port.
Using this solenoid is easy. First, make sure you have a power source of about 5 to 6VDC. Connect it to a motor or solenoid driver with kick - back protection, as it can draw a fair amount of current. When you turn on the power, the solenoid will activate and either push or pull as designed. When you turn off the power, thanks to the return spring, it will go back to its original position. Here are some things to note. Always use a proper driver to prevent damage from kick - back. Also, be aware of the current it draws, and make sure your power source can handle it. For maintenance, keep it clean and free from dust. Check the connections regularly to ensure they're secure. If you're using our Crickit boards, just connect it to a motor port, and you're good to go.
