this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2023
21 points (100.0% liked)

Ask Electronics

3325 readers
1 users here now

For questions about component-level electronic circuits, tools and equipment.

Rules

1: Be nice.

2: Be on-topic (eg: Electronic, not electrical).

3: No commercial stuff, buying, selling or valuations.

4: Be safe.


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 
top 17 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Do you mean to use it to magnetize objects?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

Putting a tool in a powered coil will magnetize it temporarily but I don't think it will stay magnetic or at least not for long. They sell little magnetizers that you can get cheap that will last a lot longer though if that's what you're looking for..

I have one like this around somewhere that worked well when I tried it.

https://www.amazon.com/Ullman-No-Specialty-Magnetizer-Demagnetizer/dp/B00829S1JI/ref=sr_1_13?keywords=magnetizer&qid=1694044940&sr=8-13

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Depending on the coils number of windings, and the size of the tool it will magnetise it pretty well. I used to do this to screwdrivers before they came pre-magnetised. And they will stay magnetised for a very long time.

Most of the time the reason for becoming demagnetised is due to dropping the tool several (many) times.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

I've had good results discharging a 450V 1kJ capacitor bank through several turns of 10 AWG wire. If you don't have a capacitor bank laying around, one of those magnetizers will work just as well.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I appreciate it, I didn’t realize it was so temporary

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Really? If have had good results just placing a screwdriver inside an electromagnet, still magnetized a few years later.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Maybe it depends on the coil/power source. When I tried it I was just messing around with a coil I had and 12v source and it was not that effective.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

You will need to feed it with DC.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

What you're asking is not very clear, but I'm assuming this?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductive_charging

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Apologies for not being clearer. What I mean to describe is a magnetizer - something that you might put a metal tool through to make it magnetic

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Or you could pick up an iron rod and strike a firehydrant like MacGyver.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I magnetize screw drivers with just a normal magnet. What's your usecase to need such a big magnet?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I just wanted to recreate the device my dad made with me as a kid

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Any strong magnet can magnetize other things, depending on the material. Iron can be relatively easily be magnetized, while neodymium magnets require a huge (but obtainable) field.

That looks like a big electromagnet, from a motor, it will probably work, but you have to feed it DC, not AC. (Or else the object will be demagnetized when removed)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Thank you for your insight! I am getting closer!