I am looking for a relay (or some kind of SWITCH) that will consume no continuous power, but when pulsed will change the position of the relay contacts. In other words, when I press a momentary contact switch it will send a pulse to this SWITCH, and it will change the relay positions AND STAY THAT WAY even after all power to the SWITCH ceases. It could be used to toggle off and on the power to another device, for example.
The SWITCH should be activated by 5 volts or thereabouts.
I got a latching relay thinking it would do this, but the problem is that the latching relay requires continuous power itself to maintain the switched position. I want a SWITCH that will mechanically change the contact positions and stay that way when power no longer flows to it, then change again when a pulse is applied.
I have a feeling I am overlooking the obvious but thanks for any help.
I got a latching relay thinking it would do this, but the problem is that the latching relay requires continuous power itself to maintain the switched position.
I have a latching relay in my box of old relays. It has a toggle that is switched back and forth by the armature. One pulse holds the contacts closed, the next pulse opens them. No idea where it came from or the power required. So, they are are are around.
Rigit:
I am looking for a relay (or some kind of SWITCH) that will consume no continuous power, but when pulsed will change the position of the relay contacts. In other words, when I press a momentary contact switch it will send a pulse to this SWITCH, and it will change the relay positions AND STAY THAT WAY even after all power to the SWITCH ceases. It could be used to toggle off and on the power to another device, for example.
The SWITCH should be activated by 5 volts or thereabouts.
I got a latching relay thinking it would do this, but the problem is that the latching relay requires continuous power itself to maintain the switched position. I want a SWITCH that will mechanically change the contact positions and stay that way when power no longer flows to it, then change again when a pulse is applied.
I have a feeling I am overlooking the obvious but thanks for any help.
I know of nothing digital that meets you requirements. The devices that I have used all require that power be maintained.
basically, what you need is a small solenoid which when energized will "push" a push button to turn on/off power. The small solenoid is energized for only a brief moment. The state of the push button changes.
the device you seek would have to be mechanical.
I have searched my electronic suppliers and I find nothing that meets your requirements.
all the miniature/subminiature latching relays require that power be maintained.
My large newark catalog is misplaced so I cannot scan it at the moment.
There are two coils that look much like regular relay coils. There is a mechanical arrangement that latches and holds the relay in one position when one coil is activated. The second coil "unlatches" the mechanical arrangement.
"Magnetic Latching" relay has a permanent magnet embedded in it. If a coil is activated it moves the relay contacts which are held by the magnet. The relay is UNlatched by a separate coil (or sometimes the same coil with opposite polarity) (Or sometimes a coil with a center tap).
A solenoid type coil pulls a mechanical arrangement that moves or rotates a cam that holds the relay contacts on. Another pulse to the same coil moves the cam and the relay contacts open. NOTE: There are a few unusual variations of this that have more than 2 positions.
There are also "stepping" relays that have many positions that advance one position for each pulse. These were once used in telephone exchanges, and your dial pulses advanced the stepper. History.
I used variations of all of these in remotely controlling broadcast transmitter systems.
[u]Here[/u] are some latching relays. (And, yes... They do hold the state when coil-voltage is removed.)
There is a 6V coil version, but it's not flagged as "normally stocked" so you'll probably have to go with 12V. In any case, if you're driving it with the Arduino you'll need a driver to supply the coil current.
I have searched latching relay on Wikipedia and found allot of information on this subject.
Inspired by the info I found I tried a search on eBay and I found loads of these relays, with a wide variety of voltages and housings. I'm sure you will find one that meets your requirements. They start from $3 and go up. I suggest you have a look.
It looks like the impulse relay comes the closest to doing what I need it to do. However they are much more expensive than most hobby-grade relay, the least expensive I've seen about $70. But I'll keep looking. Thanks for everyone's input.