555 timer circuit

[George]

Hi

I am an absolute beginner to electronics, what I need is construction
details of a 12volt solenoid (how do I make it myself, and what
strength pull can I expect, I was hoping to be able to lift up to an
8oz weight)and a circuit that will switch it on and off between 1 and
10 times per second, is this possible using a 555 timer, and variable
resistors?


Thanks in advance for any replies

 

[John Popelish]

George wrote:

Hi

I am an absolute beginner to electronics, what I need is construction
details of a 12volt solenoid (how do I make it myself, and what
strength pull can I expect, I was hoping to be able to lift up to an
8oz weight)and a circuit that will switch it on and off between 1 and
10 times per second, is this possible using a 555 timer, and variable
resistors?

Thanks in advance for any replies

The force a solenoid produces is a big function of how long a distance
that force acts over. Making one that provides a half pound of force
with a lift distance of 1/16th inch is easy. Making one that pulls 8
oz. through an inch is much harder (larger, and more power hungry. In
either case, it is quite likely that you will have to add a transistor
to the 555 to switch enough current to operate the solenoid. Is there
some particular reason you need to make the solenoid, yourself,
instead of recycling one from a relay or some other device?

--
John Popelish