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Rotating Monitor - Automatic Control (how I did it)

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DaOld Man:

--- Quote from: javeryh on October 25, 2007, 10:03:15 am ---
--- Quote from: DaOld Man on October 24, 2007, 06:32:28 pm ---Do you all think we should start a new forum under "main". Maybe "rotating monitors"?
Because I would like to see other peoples setups,  and it might help newbies to find information.
--- End quote ---

I just want some sort of "how to" guide written for complete idiots such as myself.  Like a parts list + vendors and step-by-step instructions.  I'm lost on the second sentence ("You should have a DC motor in place physically capable of turning the monitor with a power supply sufficient to drive it.") because I have no idea what things like voltage, resistors or polarity are.  The woodworking part is easy for me - in fact, when I get some time I'd be happy to write up a detailed explanation on how to make the circular frame to hold the monitor and the base that it sits in.  It's all the electrical stuff and circuit diagrams that make my head spin...   :cheers:

--- End quote ---

Ok, I ordered the parts today from DigiKey that Koz listed on his website.
I also stopped by radio shack and bought a Drilled PC Board (RS # 276-149), to mount the drive parts on.
I also bought soem PC board terminals (RS # 276-1388)
I went through my junk box, found an old 12 volt motor, looks like a windshield wiper, cant remember where I got it. It has a right angle gear box on it and turns about 70-80 RPM.
I have it hooked to an old AT computer power supply right now.
The motor is a little noisy, may need cleaning and greasing.
It is current drawing right at an amp, with no load.
I think the drive will handle this motor.
If there is interest, I can start a new thread, with pictures and costs, etc, tracking my progress on this.

koz319:


Thanks for all the great feedback!  I hope some of you guys put this to good use. 



--- Quote from: DaOld Man on October 24, 2007, 06:32:28 pm ---I am a little hesitant to couple my PC to the motor's H drive and power supply.
How do you feel about using opto-isolators between the LPT outputs and H drive inputs?

--- End quote ---
Using opto-isolators would certainly add protection, by all means go for it.  I guess my personal opinion is that a circuit like this is designed to interface between low level controls and higher currents.  I think if the h-bridge is well tested under load before interfacing to the PC, you should be OK.  You could  (and probably should anyway) fuse the motors power supply before the bridge, with a fuse sized just over the motors max current draw.  Most failures would probably result from an over current situation, and this could help protect somewhat.  But by all means if the optos sound good to you, go for it.
(And tying the grounds together is probably a good idea.)


--- Quote from: DaOld Man on October 25, 2007, 05:52:59 pm ---I might be wrong, but I think he said an USB to LPT to printer adapter wouldnt work.

--- End quote ---

All the 'USB->LPT' cables I have seen to date don't really install as an actual parallel port, they install as virtual printer drivers.  It doesn't mean that there isn't one, and if someone finds one I'd love the link.  But the best bet may be a PCI add on card if you have an available slot, this should work for sure.

I like the idea of using smoked glass to hide the whole monitor assembly, and turning off the monitor when it turns so you don't see the rotation.  If someone does this, I'd love to see pics.


Koz

 

danny_galaga:


damn, i wish my cab was here with me so i could set it up for auto-rotate (",)

just a question. is it possible to have two front ends, one for vertical and one horizontal that are selected automatically on exit of a game? or do any of the front ends have an option to automatically orientate for, well orientation?! this would save some wear and tear on the monitor as you will always have the correctly orientated menu.

saint:
Mirror for this is at:

http://mirrors.arcadecontrols.com/koz-rotate/

SavannahLion:

--- Quote from: saint on February 18, 2009, 02:54:11 pm ---Mirror for this is at:

http://mirrors.arcadecontrols.com/koz-rotate/
--- End quote ---

Thank you :)

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