Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!sco!deanr
From: deanr@sco.COM (Dean Reece)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Latching Relay - does such a thing exist
Keywords: relay, latching
Message-ID: <3327@scolex.sco.COM>
Date: 22 Sep 89 00:05:38 GMT
References: <3558@dgis.daitc.mil>
Reply-To: deanr@sco.COM (Dean Reece)
Followup-To: deanr@sco.com
Organization: The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.
Lines: 26

In article <3558@dgis.daitc.mil> generous@dgis.daitc.mil (Curtis Generous) writes:
>I have an application where I need to activate a SPDT set of contacts
>such that the toggle action does not release after the coil voltage is removed.
>And I should then be able to toggle back the contacts with another pulse.
>The best analogy is a SPDT RELAY that latches in the activated position until
>another pulse comes and toggles it again.
>If anyone knows of such a device, or can think of a way of building one....

They do exist.  I had one once that had a 6 volt coil and SPST contacts.
I connected it to a phototransistor with a straw on its end.  The relay
contacts were used to gate my TV speaker.  Add one reasonably strong flash
light and... Ta Da - a commercial (audio) killer for 3 bucks (my TV had no
remote).  Anyway, back to the subject:

The relay used a ballpoint pen style latch mechanism.  Each pulse to the
coil toggled the contacts.  These handy little gidgets are available from
various surplus parts vendors.  One supplier I know of for sure is
All Electronics.  I've dealt with them and have been fairly happy with their
service.  The only problem you may have is that the selection on the surplus
market is variable and limited.

I can hunt down the address & ph number if you need it. - Hope it Helps
 ______________________________________________________________________
| Dean Reece     Member Technical Staff |"The flames are all long gone |
| The Santa Cruz Operation 408/458-1422 | but the pain lingers on"     |
|___________deanr@sco.com_______________|___________________Pink_Floyd_|