Ever dreamt of being like Magneto? Now you can have a taste of that super - power! Take control of ferromagnetic objects in the world with this amazing electromagnet. Making an electromagnet is easy. Just grab a solenoid, pass some current through it, and insert a piece of soft iron inside. When you switch off the current, the magnetic effect disappears. Power this electromagnet with about 5VDC (4 - 6V also works well), and it becomes a magnet. Turn off the power, and it turns back into an ordinary piece of metal. Since it's a coil, use a motor or solenoid driver with kick - back protection. Our Crickit boards are a perfect match. Note that the 'holding force' of 25 Kg / 55 lb doesn't mean the weight it can pick up. Divide the holding force by 5 - 10 for a rough pick - up weight estimate, about 5 Kg / 10 lb max here. The pick - up weight depends on a flat surface, maximum surface contact, and the ferromagnetic metal content. A flat steel cube works best, while oddly - shaped or rubber/plastic - covered items won't work well.
Using this electromagnet is a breeze. First, you need to power it with a voltage around 5VDC, though 4 - 6V will do the job too. Once powered, it turns into a magnet and can attract ferromagnetic objects. To turn it off, just cut the power supply, and it'll stop being magnetic. When using it, make sure to use a motor or solenoid driver with kick - back protection. Our Crickit boards are a great option. Regarding the pick - up weight, don't be fooled by the holding force. Divide the holding force by 5 - 10 to get a rough idea of what it can pick up. For the best results, use flat ferromagnetic objects. Keep it away from oddly - shaped or rubber/plastic - covered items as they won't be picked up well. As for maintenance, just keep it clean and dry. There's no need for any special treatment, but if it gets dirty, you can use a dry cloth to wipe it down.
