The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: dextercf on March 30, 2012, 11:16:24 am
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I'm trying to come up with a way I could make a controller for a hight adjustable table my father in law got.
Now he uses two crocodile clamps on a paralell-connected gel batteries (12V), and reverse polarities to lower the table.
I was thinking something like this; http://www.robotroom.com/DPDT-Bidirectional-Motor-Switch.html (http://www.robotroom.com/DPDT-Bidirectional-Motor-Switch.html)
Only that I want to use some of my arcade buttons laying around (perhaps some of them lighted ones).
But how would I do something like this?
Can't wrap my brain around the solution..
HALP?!
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How many amps is this device pulling? Get yourself two 12 volt relays from auto parts store/online, ect... I'll draw you a picture to make it easier. Fuse it going to the battery the amp rating of the motor. One button will go up, one will go down. Enjoy.
(http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3484/relay.png)
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You could also use a Double Throw Double Pole Toggle switch (radio shack has em), and just cross the terminals from one pole to the other. That effectively reverses the polarity to the motor. not arcade buttons, but it's a much easier hookup.
Keep in mind though that you may also want to put some limit switches in place, unless the motor/linear actuator already has them. Otherwise, you could burn out the motor or break things.
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+1 on the limit switches. I built something similar for my mechanical engineering sensior design project.
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You could also use a Double Throw Double Pole Toggle switch (radio shack has em), and just cross the terminals from one pole to the other. That effectively reverses the polarity to the motor. not arcade buttons, but it's a much easier hookup.
Keep in mind though that you may also want to put some limit switches in place, unless the motor/linear actuator already has them. Otherwise, you could burn out the motor or break things.
The link provided uses DTDP switches, thats easy and cool and all. But not arcade buttons :-\
Also, we don't have radio shack in Norway. We do have similar stores, but none of them stock DTDP switches (atleast when checking online).
I think the actuator has limit switches, or else I would have to install those.
Thanks!
How many amps is this device pulling? Get yourself two 12 volt relays from auto parts store/online, ect... I'll draw you a picture to make it easier. Fuse it going to the battery the amp rating of the motor. One button will go up, one will go down. Enjoy.
PICTURE (http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3484/relay.png)
About the amp, i haven't measured. The relay switches is a good way to go, thanks a lot!
Also, you have 500 posts! The proof (http://kanskje.com/bilder/arcade/lanman31337-post500.png)
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Whooohooo 500!!!! The relays are going to be an inexpensive way to do your project. If it's not high amperage, you could use a computer power supply to feed your 12 volt power.
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If (and this is a big IF), the motor current is low enough that your arcade style pushbutton limit switches can safely power it, you can use this very simple method.
This method also supplies dynamic braking.
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Need to add max travel up and down limits? (Still limits need to be able to handle the motor current).
You loose dynamic braking when the limits cut the motor off.
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Need lamps to come on (IE lighted pushbuttons)when a button is pressed?
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Don't the +/- terminals need to be switched on one of the push buttons? Currently, it appears that the two buttons will do the same thing.
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Need lamps to come on when the end of travel limit is made?
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Don't the +/- terminals need to be switched on one of the push buttons? Currently, it appears that the two buttons will do the same thing.
No. Look at it again.
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Don't the +/- terminals need to be switched on one of the push buttons? Currently, it appears that the two buttons will do the same thing.
Nope. When neither button is pressed, you'll have voltage at both motor terminals with no path to ground to complete the circuit. When one of the buttons is pressed it grounds its respective motor terminal completing the circuit causing the motor to spin one way, pressing the other button does the same for the opposite motor terminal causing it to spin the other way. When one of the limit switches is hit, it opens the path to ground, stopping the motor.
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I'd personally take a simpler approach...this assumes the amperage of the motor isn't too high for the buttons....
Rig up two buttons....one for up and one for down. Label them as such. Keep them as momentary pushbuttons, meaning he'll have to hole the button down for the table to move. That gets rid of the need for limit switches and is safer than having it run automatically in case something get caught in it.
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My circuit above is using arcade style pushbuttons. (I drew the limt switches that attach to the buttons, well, I attempted to draw them anyway LOL). The buttons must be held for the full travel, if you release the button, the motor will stop.
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I'm doing the same thing, but I'm using a servo to push the switches, my only regret is, I should have consulted with DaOld Man first, while my wiring works, his way is a lot cleaner and simpler.
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Awesome!
I'm going to check out DaOld Man's thingy here. There is something about the reversal I just can't understand right now, guess I have to do it IRL to understand.
That's how I'm wired! ;D
Again, thanks alot!
Will post update when there is one to be posted! ;)
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I'm doing the same thing, but I'm using a servo to push the switches, my only regret is, I should have consulted with DaOld Man first, while my wiring works, his way is a lot cleaner and simpler.
Thanks Darthpaul, but you got to take into account that Ive been doing this stuff for 35 years now (They dont call me DaOld Man cause Im boring LOL (Thats another story)).
If your setup works (safely), thats 99.999% of the job.
Anyway, this drawing was done quick and you can tell, plus the limit switches and pushbuttons are not drawn like that in my world, but I did it here for clarity's sake.
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Awesome!
I'm going to check out DaOld Man's thingy here. There is something about the reversal I just can't understand right now, guess I have to do it IRL to understand.
That's how I'm wired! ;D
Again, thanks alot!
Will post update when there is one to be posted! ;)
Thats what we are here for my friend. Good luck on your project and Im looking forward to seeing how it turns out. (Dont forget we crave pictures here!)
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The table:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=119201.0;attach=181779;image)
The motor/actuator:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=119201.0;attach=181781;image)
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(http://img.tapatalk.com/536dfff1-2f5d-7629.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/536dfff1-2f67-6b45.jpg)
Prototype.
It does the job, does not light up tho.. Bad bulbs?
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It does the job, does not light up tho.. Bad bulbs?
Doesn't look like you have them grounded (or powered?) hard to tell from the pics, but looks like you only have 1 terminal for each light wired...
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Haha! ;D
Thats so true! Oh snap..