need a solenoid for basic stamp

[dmehling]

I am using a basic stamp 1 on a development board that can handle about 9v and puts out about 40 mA.  I am looking for a decent solenoid that I can use with this controller board.  I need something very inexpensive and with low power requirements.  Also, can I directly hook up the solenoid to the controller board just like I would for sensors and LEDs, or does it require some additional components?

[polar bear6]

i once found a solenoid in an old typewriter, not the oldest that were made of metal but the electronic ones, without the silver balls.
it was pretty cool, i tried to figure how it was made and i destroyed it in the process lol.
it was worth it.

[dmehling]

I would prefer to buy a new one

[BANE]

whats the solenoid trying to do?

if it is a low power one i can show you the schematics for it.  Their fairly simple just a PNP transistor from radioshack and a few wires

Bane

[dmehling]

All I am trying to do is press a button on a programmable keyboard to initiate a macro.  I could make my own like you suggest, but I would still like to purchase one.  I'm very new to electronics so I like to keep things simple.  Is there not a good low-power solenoid that you could suggest?  There's tons available but I don't know what's good.

[airman00]

you could always convert rotating motion into linear motion  ( and then just use a plain old motor)

[dmehling]

You can go ahead and send me the schematics for the solenoid.  I might just try that.  I still can't get over the fact that no one on this forum can tell me where to find a commercially available solenoid that does what I need.

[izua]

you can't get a solenoid for basic stamp, unless someone ever thought of creating such a specialised application.

solenoids are usually power device, that can hold their pin with quite some force. I doubt you will easily find low power ones (such as 40mA, but you still need way lower than that, about half, with logic consumption).

what you need to do is make a simple driver for a solenoid, using a transistor for example. a pin from the basic stamp controls the transistors gate, and you put the solenoid in series with power - transistor sink or transistor source - ground. This way, current would rush through it whenever the transistor is open. You will need to have a separate power for the solenoid and grounds connected in common.