> Given my previous "non" requirements... :) Let's say I chose this guy:
>
>   http://www.electromechanicsonline.com/product.asp?pid=17
>
> and get the 6V continuous DC version.  It's rated at 2W of power.
> Does that mean this thing will always use 2W of power, under all
> circumstances?

No.  2W is the amount of heat it can safely dissipate continuously.
Solenoids don't have an inherent current limit, but are limited by how hot
they can get before something fails.  Each solenoid will have a continuous
power rating at which the it can dissipate the heat continuously without
getting too hot internally.  That's why you can use higher currents for
shorter times.

You wanted a solenoid that would open a latch infrequently.  In that case
you can get a cheaper smaller solenoid and give it a lot of current for a
short amount of time.  The easiest way to do this is probably discharge a
large capacitor accross it.


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