I would like to see a close up photo of the solenoid, especially at the point of the swing where it affects the pendulum....
The current pendulum now actually runs on 24 volts at 1.4 amps any less and it stops, the solenoid is rated between from 12 to 36 volts, i am using bench supply. How would i power it for exhibition or do you know way i can reduce the power consumption? ...
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Solenoids are most efficient when the solenoid armature (moving piston part) is almost fully drawn in. The further out that armature gets, the weaker the pull force it exerts. It can be a delicate balance between getting the solenoid armature travel in a very short distance (for max force) vs the leverage to move the load (as leverage is reduced with a short travel distance).
A way to cheat is to put a tension spring (or rubber link) between the solenoid and the load, this makes it quieter and more efficient. That is because the solenoid can draw fully in, where it makes the most force, and stretches the spring. Then the energy stored in the stretched spring continues to be released into the slow moving load (the pendulum) as the spring contracts over time.