BIG Motor Control - Recommendations for 250in-lbs torque motors? - Video

Using Arduino Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Hi Everyone,

I've got an installation project that controls an oversized set of venetian blinds made of aluminium.
We need a method to control forward and reverse and speed.

Example video of blinds:

At the moment we have this motor: http://www.drillspot.com/products/85588/Dayton_2Z797_Right_Angle_AC_DC_Gearmotor

but we are willing to switch to a DC motor so that we can have a much easier time interfacing with a H-Bridge circuit.

Do you folks have any recommendations for controlling motors that have similar specs as above (250in-lbs toque, 1/15 HP ish, currently we have 4RPM but we'll be stepping it down to something super slow)?

Are there any commercial h-bridge breakouts capable of handling these sorts of motors?

I am all ears and willing to hear any ideas before we start specifying our approach.

Thanks folks!

2

Hi,

I think you have to pick a motor or range of motors before the H-Bridge. What voltage, What current, what duty cycle??

Then you'll have numbers to compare with motor controllers...

3

Agreed!

We are somewhat open to the idea of getting a completely new motor if necessary, so voltages, currents and duty cycles are all totally open if theres an adequate motor on the market (thats interface-able).

At the moment the motor is this:
http://www.drillspot.com/products/85588/Dayton_2Z797_Right_Angle_AC_DC_Gearmotor and currently functioning as an AC motor (I have no idea how we can switch over to its DC function that these universal motors supposedly have).

4

if your happy with that motor / gear box stay with it.

switch it on / off in pulses to control the speed,
the 90 degree gear box should stop back lash / movement, my guess is it has a worm gear in it.

5

That motor requires 115 V at 1.1 amps full load, AC or DC. There are very few motor drivers that can handle 115V DC (at least not of the hobby type) so you are probably OK with a relay and 115VAC.

I would recommend a solid state relay. They can be controlled by a single output pin of an Arduino and would easily handle the load. They are much more reliable than contact (mechanical) relays and can be purchased quite cheaply at surplus outlets. Here is an ebay example: solid state relay for sale | eBay

6

Its a highly inductive load so you would need to take that into account in selecting
a relay or SSR.

If you want speed control go to eBay and find the right gear motor - but first you
need to work out the max torque and speed you actually need.

7

Thanks for the suggestions folks... I came across these guys today.
Since our motor is universal, I'm wondering whether these DC drives might do the job:
http://www.kbelectronics.com/data_sheets/kbwd.pdf (although this one doesn't seem to have reverse)
and
http://www.dartcontrols.com/product-guide/analog-dc-speed-controls/130-series/ (but this one doesn't have the convenience of 5v pwm control).

Have any of you had experience with kb or dart drives? Or indeed using any dc drive for a universal motor?

8

conorowenbarry:
Thanks for the suggestions folks... I came across these guys today.
Since our motor is universal, I'm wondering whether these DC drives might do the job:
http://www.kbelectronics.com/data_sheets/kbwd.pdf (although this one doesn't seem to have reverse)

If the motor is universal and doesn't have a reverse switch built-in, it won't go in
reverse - that's why its universal, ac and dc (either sense) all push it the same
direction. You have to reverse the stator windings w.r.t. the commutator to reverse it.

If you've got a reverse switch, or separate external access to both stator and rotor
connections, then you have a way to reverse it, if there's only 2 wires you cannot.

9

Windshield wiper motors seem to be favored for making large DIY servos.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=servo+wiper&sm=12

10

Power window motors! http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/DCM-572/12-VDC-AUTO-WINDOW-LIFT-MOTOR-RIGHT-HAND/1.html

Cheap and easy to control with a 10-20amp h bridge.

11

"Megamoto" is a pwm controller that connects right to the Arduino mega and can handle quite a large load and be configured for up to 24vdc
Check it out:
http://www.robotpower.com/products/MegaMoto_info.html