Ok, I know this is an arduino forum, but I've got a project that I'm not sure even needs a microprocessor.
I want to make a couple of wireless electrically operated jacks.
My plan is to use a keyfob like this, to communicate with a lowcost receiver like this, which would in turn extend or retract a linear actuator (the actuator is 12v DC up to 3amps)
I've got all three items I've listed, getting them all to work individually has been easy. I now need to use the wireless receiver to control the current through the actuators.
My initial plan was to use a pair of relays for a simple electro-mechanical h-bridge, but following this post I had my mind changed for me (thanks guys!) and am now thinking of a pure solid-state solution.
I've found this simple and cheap motor driver, which only requires two control pins. The circuit is the 2nd post in this thread.
I think I can connect the digital-output pins from the wireless receiver directly to the digital input pins of an mini-pro, and then connect two of the digital output pins to the motor driver. This should remove the need for relays, transistors to drive the relays, and all that analogue stuff I'm not very good at. But on the other hand it means that I'm using a microprocessor as little more than a buffer!
Any suggestions on which solution is best? I'm already familiar with working with a pro-mini, but have never used the motor driver before, and prefer to avoid trying to design a circuit to control the motor driver if I don't go for the microprocessor option.
Thanks
As long as you control the movement of the actuators manually, the receiver can be wired almost directly to the driver board. A simple logic (diodes) may be required to generate the direction and run signals from the receiver outputs.
Do you have your hands on any of those 5206 devices though?- the thread from 2011 says supply was a problem even then, and zoomkat speculated production was over. The RS page shows nil stock.
Do you have your hands on any of those 5206 devices though ...... The RS page shows nil stock.
I've discovered why RS and others have no stock - it's because Farnell has 971 of them!
I'm beginning to think I might stick a pro-mini in the design. Although at this point it's not totally needed, it does give me much more scope for future enhancements - for example making the jacks self leveling.
thanks
I would caution you that Pro Minis are not the easiest of boards to use, especially for beginners.
For a start is has no on-board USB connections so you've added a layer of complexity straightaway!
What was your reason for mentioning this board? Unless you have a specific one, I would suggest a box-standard Arduino UNO (or a clone thereof - which are even better because they have a micro USB port rather than that clunky full-sized thing on an UNO).
Just suggestin' 
What was your reason for mentioning this board?
I though of using a mini-pro because I've done several projects using these before, also they're cheap.
Ralph_S_Bacon:
I would suggest a box-standard Arduino UNO (or a clone thereof - which are even better because they have a micro USB port rather than that clunky full-sized thing on an UNO).
But they are only useful for mounting matching "shields", or if you need to utilise the 16U2 in some way.
In all other respects, the Nano is the preferred unit as it mounts on a breadboard which the UNO will not. Personally, I started with Pro Minis which are also the choice for final assemblies which do not require PC interface, but for prototyping, Nanos.