I need a thing and don't know what it's called.

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
20,920
5,543
136
I'm looking for something along the lines of a 12v solenoid. I need to bush a button and have the pin extend. push it again and the pin retracts. Total travel only needs to be an inch or so. I'm going to use them as remote tool box locks.
What the heck would the thing be called? Bonus points if you can tell me where to get a couple of them.
 

Paperdoc

Platinum Member
Aug 17, 2006
2,344
292
126
Power lock solenoids certainly can work, but you'll need the switch that goes with them. Those solenoids are built with two terminals, and the switch for each has six. The switch is really a double-pole-double-throw- centre off switch. I has input terminals from the +12 V and Ground of the car. When pushed one way, it sends those two out to the power lock terminal in the polarity to cause it to lock the door. Then, because of the spring loading, the switch returns to the centre position with no outputs connected. When pushed the other way, it sends out the same signals but to the switch but REVERSED polarity so the lock OPENS instead. Not quite the switch action you asked for, but it works and it's simple if you get the parts from a wreck.
 

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
20,920
5,543
136
Power lock solenoids certainly can work, but you'll need the switch that goes with them. Those solenoids are built with two terminals, and the switch for each has six. The switch is really a double-pole-double-throw- centre off switch. I has input terminals from the +12 V and Ground of the car. When pushed one way, it sends those two out to the power lock terminal in the polarity to cause it to lock the door. Then, because of the spring loading, the switch returns to the centre position with no outputs connected. When pushed the other way, it sends out the same signals but to the switch but REVERSED polarity so the lock OPENS instead. Not quite the switch action you asked for, but it works and it's simple if you get the parts from a wreck.
Good info, thank you.
 

crashtech

Lifer
Jan 4, 2013
10,575
2,145
146
Not all lock solenoids have a return spring, in fact in older American cars, that would be the exception. Instead the linkages were made with slots to accommodate the solenoid's two discrete positions such that the other controls could move as intended, no matter the solenoid's position. Most full-size early 90's Fords as well as their pickups had a discrete and powerful lock solenoid that worked in that fashion, all one way, or all the other, basically a simple linear actuator. The part about the wiring certainly seems common to many makes, and also happens to be the same way analog power window motors worked as well.
 

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
20,920
5,543
136
That's what I'm building. I'm going to go with OEM door lock actuators as they're way better quality than the aftermarket parts.