Relays with a memory
I stumbled across this item while doing some background for my reversing loops.
Manufactured by: Omron Electronic Components, LLC of Shaumburg, ILLINOIS, USA.
It is a small pc-board sized relay, Dual Pole Dual Throw, Dual Coil, magnetic latching, each way.
Check it out at:
www.Mouser.com
Just go to their website and in the search box at the top enter:
653-G6AK-234P-DC12 (Note: This is the number for a latching, DPDT, 12 volt coils version)
You will want download the datasheet (a 223Kbyte "PDF") which lists all versions.
Be sure to look the datasheet over closely, as it includes many versions of coil voltages, latching vs. non-latching, and 2 pole vs. 4 pole, at a variety of current levels.
Consuming very little current to activate, they lend themselves nicely to electronic activation, as well as activation by mometary pushbutton(s).
Activate one of the coils, it switches whatever number of poles the relay has, and it stays switched that way until the other coil is activated.
(All with internal magnet latches, so it survives power outages. Be careful, to preset them before applying power to your devices!).
The coils on DUAL coil models are completely isolated from each other. Just don't try to activate both simultaneously!
I have used these to flip my loops quite successfully and have even used the 4 pole model to flip the track and set signals at the same time!
Remember these are lightweight relays, but at about $3.23 USD each, and shipping, well.....
This is probably old hat to some modellers, but thought it may help out a fellow gandydancer.
--Joe--
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