Powering a solenoid with a MRK 1010

Projects General Guidance
1

I'm in the design phase of a new project - a hands free way to push crosswalk buttons.

The project will be based around the MKR1010 board and use a distance sensor to sense when a person is close, and a solenoid to push the physical crosswalk button. The electronics will be housed in a 3d printed casing that attaches to the existing crosswalk button.

Because it won't be powered by a USB cable attached to a computer, I'm trying to figure out what battery is needed, and if it will be enough to correctly power the solenoid.

According to the MRK 1010 docs, the supported battery is a Li-Po Single Cell, 3.7V, 1024mAh Minimum

The solenoid I want to use is the 5V Mini Push-Pull solenoid from Adafruit.

Since the battery will by 3.7V and the solenoid needs 5V, will these be compatible? Can the solenoid be powered off of the 1010's output pins?

Thanks for any insights

2

When a solenoid is rated 5.0 volt instead of 3.7 there is a reason. Just make test connecting the solenoid to the LiPo cell and watch.

Attach a drawing to make us shure how You are thinking.

3

Around here, there are normally two crosswalks at the corner of each block. How will you system know which button to push?

Paul