Hello,
Non-engineer here, but I have a project that basically requires the use of the mini push-pull solenoid to push a pin upward. What I will have is 3.3V output and I plan to wire that to your miniboost 5V so that I may drive the solenoid. I see in the description that it also requires a diode and power transmitter and that I should be careful if powering via usb. I don't know what power transmitter and diode to purchase and also if this is safe in line with the "be careful if powering by pc usb," if someone could help me out here please. I won't be powering via usb but the miniboost 5V component might still be a "be careful."
Regards,
a_carter
Help on part selection
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Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
- adafruit_support_mike
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Re: Help on part selection
Could you post a link to the page that has the warning about USB power and mentions the diode please?
- a_carter
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- Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2017 2:07 pm
- zener
- Posts: 4567
- Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:38 am
Re: Help on part selection
You might notice that sentence there is blue, because it is a hot link to a diagram with part numbers. Take a look at that. Only problem is it appears to have a typo on it. Where it says "TIP102" I think they meant TIP120 which is sold here, as is the 1N4001, which you can use in place of the 1N4004 shown on the diagram. Maybe the diagram needs to be updated...
- a_carter
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- Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2017 2:07 pm
Re: Help on part selection
Thank you, but as a non electrical engineer I really don't know what I'm looking at. All I can describe is that I will have 3.3v as an input into the miniboost https://www.adafruit.com/product/3661 to get the 5v output required for the mini push pull solenoid https://www.adafruit.com/product/2776. I read where the power transistor and diode are required but how to wire this circuit up I don't really know. That or the power transistor and diode to purchase.
Thank you again for helping me.
Thank you again for helping me.
- zener
- Posts: 4567
- Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:38 am
Re: Help on part selection
Where is your 3.3V output coming from, and what is your power source? Wall adapter? Battery?
- a_carter
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2017 2:07 pm
Re: Help on part selection
https://www.vive.com/us/vive-tracker/
The 3.3v power source is from the general purpose digital output pin of an HTC Vive tracker. I tell it through code to generate a "haptic" event and power is output via the pogo pin.
The 3.3v power source is from the general purpose digital output pin of an HTC Vive tracker. I tell it through code to generate a "haptic" event and power is output via the pogo pin.
- zener
- Posts: 4567
- Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:38 am
Re: Help on part selection
GPIO can generally supply about 20mA. Not nearly enough to drive a solenoid. That is why you need the transistor. To switch another supply that can drive the solenoid.
- a_carter
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2017 2:07 pm
Re: Help on part selection
Will the 3.3v general purpose output to the miniboost https://www.adafruit.com/product/3661 produce the 5v output and amps required for the mini push pull solenoid?
- zener
- Posts: 4567
- Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:38 am
Re: Help on part selection
What is the output current specification of the GPIO pin of the device you are using?
- a_carter
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2017 2:07 pm
Re: Help on part selection
I think it will be between 4-20mA depending upon what signal I tell it to send. I think that is what the chart reads.
- zener
- Posts: 4567
- Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 2:38 am
Re: Help on part selection
Those specs are a little unusual but it does seem to state that it can supply 20mA out of the output pin which agrees with what I stated before.
Since the solenoid is stated on the product page to need 1.1A (1100mA) that means you cannot power the solenoid with the output pin since it can only supply 20mA.
So you will need another supply to power the solenoid. If you use a 5V supply then you do not need to boost the voltage. BTW you cannot use the MiniBoost since it can only supply 100mA at 5V. Using a 5V supply would be preferred.
Since the solenoid is stated on the product page to need 1.1A (1100mA) that means you cannot power the solenoid with the output pin since it can only supply 20mA.
So you will need another supply to power the solenoid. If you use a 5V supply then you do not need to boost the voltage. BTW you cannot use the MiniBoost since it can only supply 100mA at 5V. Using a 5V supply would be preferred.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.