Hi,

I got an latching solenoid that I wish I could read the 2 positions of the valve. I tried Hall sensor, but the housing is to thick to read anything.
I was thinking, would reading the coil do the trick, when its latched, I could resonance it some how and see if its latched or not?

Any suggestions?

 

That should work if the coil inductance varies according to the armature position.. Can you post a link to the solenoid datasheet?
Is there space for a simple microswitch?

 

What is the device that you are using to input the Read posn to?
When it is latched or unlatched there is no power to it so it probably will come down to a physical position of the plunger if it is required to be read at any other time.
Max.

 

That should work if the coil inductance varies according to the armature position.. Can you post a link to the solenoid datasheet?
Is there space for a simple microswitch?

That's promising, I use one of these:
http://xyelectronni.en.hisupplier.com/product-197951-low-power-latch-solenoid-valve.html

If I had space, I would used a micro switch

Any idea how I could make the circuit?

 

What is the device that you are using to input the Read posn to?
When it is latched or unlatched there is no power to it so it probably will come down to a physical position of the plunger if it is required to be read at any other time.
Max.

It will be on an microcontroller.
Yes its just an pulse, but wont you be able to "test" the position after its changed position by measuring the resonance?

 

Small inline pressure switch on the output side?
Max.

 

I wish, no room

 

You could record the last position via polarity on activation, but not after, are you anticipating it drop out of its own accord?
Or is it last state in case of a power outage?
Max.

 

You could record the last position via polarity on activation, but not after, are you anticipating it drop out of its own accord?
Or is it last state in case of a power outage?
Max.

I do record it, but I want to have a better feedback due to vibration or shock that can potentially unlatch it.
I want to keep recording the position...

 

No way of cushioning it and if necessary and couple with flex pipe?
Max.

 

If you can remover the cover and see where the magnetic armature ends up, you could insert a Honeywell SS400 mini hall effect device which has a TO92 case so very small.
They have Unipolar, bipolar and latched variety.
Max.