Noob in the field -- problems making a solenoid....

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by participants in constructing a solenoid using a specific power supply. It includes technical aspects of electrical components, circuit behavior, and troubleshooting methods related to the solenoid's operation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their attempt to create a solenoid using 22 gauge insulated wire and a laptop charger, noting unexpected behavior when powered.
  • Another participant suggests that the power supply may have circuitry that prevents shorting and recommends adding a resistor in series with the solenoid.
  • A later reply mentions that adding a 1.5 ohm resistor caused the solenoid to stop functioning, indicating a potential issue with the circuit design.
  • Another participant inquires about the DC resistance of the solenoid and calculates the necessary load for the power supply based on the provided specifications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the cause of the solenoid's behavior and the effectiveness of the proposed solutions, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions about the power supply's circuitry and the solenoid's resistance, which are not fully explored or defined in the discussion.

Anugrah_kora
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Hello.
Me and my friends planned to make a solenoid. We used 22 gauge insulated wire and we used an old laptop charger (19v 3.3A) as the power supply. Earlier we used a power supply of 1A and it wasn't enough. When we connected everything and switched on,we saw the solenoid behaving weirdly . We found out that it was changing the direction of the current flow causing it to act like this. I don't know if it is the charger..
Please can someone help me?
 
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Could it be that the power supply has some circuitry which prevents shorting the output? Maybe you need to put a resistor in series with your solenoid.
 
scottdave said:
Could it be that the power supply has some circuitry which prevents shorting the output? Maybe you need to put a resistor in series with your solenoid.
Tried adding a 1.5ohms resistor in series but the solenoid ceased to function.. :(
 
What is the DC resistance of your solenoid? Based on your data the charger needs to have at least 19/3.3 = 6 Ohms load - or 120 feet of 22 Ga ( 22 ga = 0.05 Ohms per foot)...
 
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