I would like to control several pull-up solenoids with one arduino. I have seen many tutorials but they are all using different equipment therefore i would like to ask you some questions:
What solenoids should I use? (cheap and low power consumption^^)
Do you know a good website in europe for ordering solenoids or equipments in general ?
For supplying the solenoids, do I need a relay? a classic battery or can I use the Vin of the arduino to supply directly
What transistor should I use? TIP120,TIP121, TIP102 or something else ?
what diode ? 1N4004,1N4001 something else? what resistance? 1K, 220ohm?
What's a pull-up solenoid?
For driving a [solenoid, relay, motor] coil, a TPIC6B595 open drain shift register can be used to sink current from coil '-' to Gnd, with the coil '+' connected to +5, +12, etc. TPIC6B595 outputs can sink 150mA. TPIC6A595 can sink 350mA.
Above that, a logic level, low Rds n-channel MOSFET such as AOI514 is good:
Try Newark, Farnell, RS, other European suppliers.
The diode needs to be rated for at least the current flow thru the motor. >= 2X of that would be better.
