DDcafor Plug Pull Solenoid Electromagnet with Spring Plunger Magnet Smart Express Cabinet Lock DC 3-6V, 40N, 2 Pin

I had been searching for a low power solenoid that works with an Arduino (specifically a 3d printer board, but it's the same thing). There are a couple of other micro solenoids out there, but none had favorable reviews, and others had too high voltage/current requirements. I tried one other lower powered 6v 1 amp solenoid, but it wouldn't work with required transistor config (TIP120) being controlled with an IO pin; it only worked in an unprotected test condition (no transistor, straight 5v power). This one, however, is capable of working off just under 0.2 amps using a 5v pin and proper transistor config being controlled with an IO pin and 22k resistor (resulting in 0.2 amps if my friend's calcs are correct). Note: if you browse for tutorials on using a solenoid with an Arduino you're going to find most using an external power source or, if they are using a supposed low power solenoid, they use a very low resistor that likely results in a lot of current being used unnecessarily, and current is really the issue here when trying to power it from an Arduino: IO pins should only use about 0.02 amps and the total 5v rail available is supposedly about 0.5 amps (though this is unusually cryptic and nothing official from Arduino). Also a side note: this solenoid is likely the same one that Adafruit sells which seems to be the only quality lower power solenoid that works with an Arduino. I say this because a) the way these mass produced electronics work is that one manufacturer makes it and a bunch of re-sellers sell it as their own, and b) the schematics are the same if I remember correctly. Be advised: the advertised 5mm throw is inaccurate. The throw in the schematic shows 3.8mm and my manual measurement confirms this a lot closer than 5mm. It's almost 5mm (4.8mm to be exact) if you consider the throw + the height of the 'stopper' on the end of the arm. This, however, cannot be considered as part of the throw distance (distance the arm will move when solenoid is activated). My one, small critique is that the pin socket used is an unusually small spec and likely won't work with any condition you're trying to use it for. This, however, is easily resolved by cutting it and crimping on standard jumper cable connectors (or whatever you want to use). Can't fault this, since this is a standard procedure when tinkering with electronics.

Doesn’t work. Defective. Returning