DFRobot Electric Solenoid Lock

[Chris Savage]

I picked four of these up for testing with custom-built lock boxes. They aren't expensive for what they are, but the shipping was ridiculous! Originally I was going to buy two, but the shipping cost more than the sub-total!

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High-quality electric solenoid lock with durable steel parts. Features signal feedback, IoT compatibility, and operates at 9-12V DC.

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[Chris Savage]

My order finally arrived today via UPS.

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One of these modules is slated for testing ASAP. I need to go over the specifications for these modules before I decide how I am going to drive them. I'm not really a fan of the application example from the DFRobot website.


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This is what comes in each package. It connects directly to the power source as well as to the control circuit.

[granz]

Are you planning on putting these on your house's doors? Will this be part of your home control security system?

[Chris Savage]

Are you planning on putting these on your house's doors? Will this be part of your home control security system?

While these are pretty solid units, for my purposes they're intended for a lock-box and / or access door (non-human). When these unlock, they sort of eject the metal loop. The metal loop must be pressed back into the latch to lock it again. So in a way these work similar to the Amazon lockers in that the door opens itself, then must be manually closed.

[Chris Savage]

Are you planning on putting these on your house's doors? Will this be part of your home control security system?

I was a little confused at first about the actual operation of these latches, but now that I've had time to examine things a little closer, it's much more clear. Essentially you energize the "coil" for ~1 second to unlatch the lock. The other wire that I initially thought was a trigger, is actually a sensor that lets you know if the latch is in the locked / unlocked position.

The caveat is that you do need either a relay or FET (with flyback diode) to control the coil. In the DFRobot example they're using this relay.

[JKnightandKARR]

Are you planning on putting these on your house's doors? Will this be part of your home control security system?

I was a little confused at first about the actual operation of these latches, but now that I've had time to examine things a little closer, it's much more clear. Essentially you energize the "coil" for ~1 second to unlatch the lock. The other wire that I initially thought was a trigger, is actually a sensor that lets you know if the latch is in the locked / unlocked position.

The caveat is that you do need either a relay or FET (with flyback diode) to control the coil. In the DFRobot example they're using this relay.

Make it open like this!!!

[Chris Savage]

Make it open like this!!!

Now that seems a little extreme! 

[granz]

Make it open like this!!!

Wow, Chris, I did not realize that you lived in outer space! It must be rough having Borgs at your door - worse than sales people wanting to change you utility companies, I would think.

[Chris Savage]

Wow, Chris, I did not realize that you lived in outer space! It must be rough having Borgs at your door - worse than sales people wanting to change you utility companies, I would think.

Borg are like the cockroaches of the galaxy. But, as for the latches, as soon as I decide what I will use to switch the coil, I will construct a lockbox that utilizes it. Years ago I wanted to build a reverse geocache, but I doubt I will do that now. The current concept is to use an RFID Reader to pop the box open.

[granz]

Borg are like the cockroaches of the galaxy.

Nah, that honor belongs to:

[Chris Savage]

Nah, that honor belongs to:

That was a great episode though. 

[JKnightandKARR]

Make it open like this!!!

Now that seems a little extreme! 

That depends... lol but it would be interesting. lol

[JKnightandKARR]

Nah, that honor belongs to:

That was a great episode though. 

So THAT'S where the Radroaches in Fallout came from! lol

[Chris Savage]

So THAT'S where the Radroaches in Fallout came from! lol

What he posted was a video from Stargate: SG-1 where the replicators took over Apophis' ship and SG-1 was sabotaging it to crash into the planet. But, what's important to know is that, in the Stargate universe, the most advanced "living" race was unable to defeat the replicators. They were a scourge on multiple universes and the cause of the extinction of the race that is responsible for their creation.

I say it that was, because one person from that race created an android child, who in turn created a replicator as a toy, then lost control of her emotions causing them to go haywire, replicate and kill everyone. During the time in that clip the replicators are out of control just trying to replicate and expand.

[JKnightandKARR]

So THAT'S where the Radroaches in Fallout came from! lol

What he posted was a video from Stargate: SG-1 where the replicators took over Apophis' ship and SG-1 was sabotaging it to crash into the planet. But, what's important to know is that, in the Stargate universe, the most advanced "living" race was unable to defeat the replicators. They were a scourge on multiple universes and the cause of the extinction of the race that is responsible for their creation.

I say it that was, because one person from that race created an android child, who in turn created a replicator as a toy, then lost control of her emotions causing them to go haywire, replicate and kill everyone. During the time in that clip the replicators are out of control just trying to replicate and expand.

I saw that link above, but reminds me of these annoying things.. lol