I am new to Arduino, this is my first project.
I am looking to run a motor 120vac 10w. The motor will run fwd until a prox is made then the motor will run rev until it hits a different prox. The motor will run fwd and rev like this until I turn it off. Looking at the Arduino family I am not sure which board I should purchase to get this project working. Thank you in advanced for your help.
Hi, @1964vette
Welcome to the forum.
Do you need speed control?
A UNO or Nano will suffice.
Can you please tell us your electronics, programming, arduino, hardware experience?
Thanks.. Tom... 
I do not need speed control.
I am an electromechanical tech. I have worked with plc's programming in ladder. I have not programmed in structure c yet. I have done a little with electronic components.
I did also see one of the sheild boards with the relay's already mounted.
What kind of motor are you using? AC motors in general are not reversible. If you have a series wound, universal motor, then you can reverse the connections to either the field or the armature to reverse the direction.
Addition: Motors do not reverse well unless they have been stopped before changing direction.
What is a prox, and how do you detect when one is made?
This is a dual winding motor. One winding get a capacitor. By switching which winding has the capacitor you can change direction.
I was going to use a timing function in the arduino to allow the motor some time between direction change.
A prox is a proximity switch. It gives a signal when the switch is in close proximity of a target. The one i have detects metal. When my item is within 5mm of the target the prox turns on giving me a signal that i can use as an input.
Since you are new to all of this, I recommend the UNO. You will find more examples on the internet on how to do things with the UNO than any other board
Since you're a tech, I assume that wiring, etc., won't be a problem.
I suggest an Arduino 10MR controller. I wrote about them here. They comprise an arduino, a display, a few optically isolated inputs and relays. Basically a poor man's arduino PLC.
I have a couple but I haven't exercised them as much as I could have due to time limitations. But everything is a good deal for the price.
Does you motor currently have such a switch? Some do.
There is no switch on the motor.
Then you will have to figure out how to do the switching using relays.
I can use relays. Those can get wired to the outputs. Just need to make sure the relays do not take too much current.
Only take current when they need to. Otherwise, zero current.
What is the difference between boards and shields?
Hi,
Why?
Tom..
I am concerned a relay will pull more current than what the arduino board will provide. It looks like i could use the nano every to drive the 4 relay shield. This way I can control the relays to change the motor direction and not worry about burning out the arduino outputs.
Look at the relay shield, it will only need probably 10 to 20mA for each relay.
Tom..
If you are refering to the Arduino 4 relay shield, the contacts are only rated at 30VDC 2A with a max load voltage of 48V
Will the contacts handle the 120v of i am only pulling 80ma? The contacts are rated at 60 watts and i would only be running 10 watts. I want sure if the contacts would survive