I was given the number of i-beams so I've decided to build a back plow for my truck. I do have a pump assembly for a front plow, but that has limited options. For example I need cylinders that will both push and pull but the pump assembly was only Built 4 cylinders that push. I can get around that by combining two of the controls into 1 cylinder but then I don't have enough controls to run the entire plow.
Which is where I'm thinking an Arduino might come in handy. Is there a valve that can be driven by Arduino? I'm not sure what actions I would have since there is typically a valve body where all of the pressure comes into and then each valve opens up as desired to flow fluid in two different cylinders. What options would I have with an Arduino? The valve operation itself is simple, and it drives a valve and it activates, programming it would likely take no more than 5 minutes even at my school level. But what Hardware is there available they could accomplish this?
I would need a controller to push the plow down and possibly lift it up ( I was originally going to Spring load it but hydraulic could work for this). Each wing of the plow would need to be pushed into directions as well. So that's a total of six movements but it can be done with three cylinders if I have the type that push and pull. It would still mean 6 valve solenoids.
Is this plow for soil or snow? Please bear in mind this is an international forum. The words "back plow for my truck" are difficult for us English to understand, let alone the Indians or Indonesians. Truck = pickup? Back plow is mounted how exactly? Do you put the truck in reverse to plow snow? Sounds awkward...
You mount the plow into the hitch receiver of a pickup. Then you back up to where you want to be such as in front of the garage door. The new extend the wings which simply rotate outward, then you lower the plow and drive forward dragging the snow with you
Very few people control hydraulics with Arduinos. A single electrically-actuated valve might cost more than ten times the Arduino. Hydraulics are usually controlling bigger and heavier things than most Arduino projects. A software error in your weather station won't drop a thousand pounds of steel on your foot.
Start with the Arduino. Make a light blink on and off. Use a relay to blink a 12V light. Add some buttons to control it, mount it in a box or whatever. Learn how to make a power supply for the Arduino which will survive in the truck.
Once you are comfortable doing all of those things, you will know if you have the skill and motivation to move up to the hydraulics. Research what valves are available and compatible with your power supply (both electrically and pipe fittings.) Then it is a "simple matter of programming."
If you find the Arduino stuff is boring and hard to concentrate on, then divert your energy elsewhere. Find a way to do your project without an Arduino.
I can do all of that stuff, I had actually written a sketch to control my front plow automatically. Unfortunately the emulation website got deleted along with my sketch. I can write the programming, if need be I can use relays to control the valves. I'm just trying to find out what options for valves there are
It would be very rare to find any hydraulic valve with "for Arduino" in the description. Start by searching for valves for your voltage and pressure in industrial-supply catalogs.
I did see one that was good at 6 volts, but now that I think about it I was thinking about the 5 volt power supply and not the pins. What voltage do the pins run at? Also what amperage can I draw from them?
you have a couple choices on your project.
you can use a manual hydraulic valve and then connect a motor to it to operate the lever
you can replace the lever with an electrical actuator
you can get a pressure rated hydraulic valve that moves under electric power.
I am sure there are other ways as well.
I have not see this done for hydraulic valves, but I have used pneumatic to move levers that rotated a screw to created a huge linear force. pressing the arm of a hydraulic valve can be done in such a way.