Switchable Magnets.

[synchro1]

Two magnet switches facing each other, joined at the handles, would equalize the throw force. One would turn on as the other turned off. An overhead rocker arm with swiveling plates and small gaps, would first clamp down and release on one side, then the other, as the joined switches were turned on and off. The combined ratchet force with twin Noga 0039's would be nearly 600 pounds! A hydraulic pressure system would be an enormous advantage to move the switches as mscoffman helped envision.

A two way hydraulic ram cylinder can cut the switch cost to the valve force and pressure maintenance alone. This would deliver a very high COP!

[synchro1]

The hydraulic cylinder is so powerful and efficient, it could easily flop a gang of two dozen magnet switches in a row for practically nothing. The twelve rocker arms could pivot the same axle. This would deliver 7200 pounds of ratchet force. A couple of spring teeth at one axle end could turn gear wheels. These wheels could in turn run valves in a much larger hydraulic cylinder, and power an entire city. 

[synchro1]

Here's a 12 volt push pull linear actuator for 16 dollars that would probably be enough to flop a gang of "Rocker Arm" magnet switches in tandem:

[synchro1]

Weighting the "Rocker Arm" iron plates to offset them to the outside would keep them in touch with the magnet switch keepers, and satisfy Lumen's concern about the increased switch force from no metal contact. The plates would pivot and lift on the inside only to a maximum pull gap of an inch or so. The torque would equal close to the full rated pull force of the magnet on each end in that throw range. Thanks to mscoffman for seeding this design!

[DreamThinkBuild]

Hi Synchro,

Here is a patent that uses rocker arms, the translation is really bad though but the images show the general idea.

CN102510242A - Permanent-magnet power machine and method for converting magnetic energy into mechanical energy

https://www.google.com/patents/CN102510242A