I have a project where I wish to control 4x stepper motors for a set time and then turn off (being done in pairss so 1 pair would be set differently to the other pair). So basically I give the Arduino controller an enable from another controller and the Arduino controller will run the 2 pairs of stepper motors for a set time and speed (both forward and backwards) then turn off, waiting for the next command.
The enable would be sent from another controller which is controlling everything else.
I work in the BMS industry using controllers to regulate a buildings HVAC as well as lighting, metering etc.
Not used Arduino for a while but due to the limitation I have on the controllers I use (250ms cycle time) I need something a lot faster.
I still a load of various controllers in my cupboard ready to use, just unsure if this can be done and what other equipment I need to buy to get this to work.
speed is not the issue. power is. you can certainly run steppers at a pace much faster than your DDC units.
the hobby driver we use are typically good for up to about 2 amps.
you can get ones that run over 5 amps, but as you get into that range, steppers start to loose to an industrial DC servo motor.
what are you trying to control ?
I can't think of anything on a AHU that needs that type of speed, certainly not anything temperature related.
air flow ?
if you need power, the RATIO of motor voltage to supply voltage is key. using a 1.3v motor at 5 volts will deliver more power than running the same motor wound for 12 volts and powered at 12 volts.
What I am trying to control is the damper rate of a coilovers suspension for a car.
The damper settings range from 1 to 30 clicks.
There is already a kit out there for its for only for its own brand of suspension, not what I'm using.
Now after doing a quick research, I see that the Arduino controllers can receive 5 volts on the Analogue input. I can send 0-10v from my main controller.
So in theory, if let's say I was to send the Arduino controller 1 volt, which lets say I want that to go to a hard setting, call it 18 clicks, I'm going to want a pair of stepper motors to run to change the damper setting of suspension then once it reaches 18 clicks (would need be timed, same as a drive time for an actuator on a valve) it stops. But also at that 1 volt I would want it to change the other pair to 14 clicks and then stop.
But as the road surface changes I want to change the damper setting from hard to soft, so I send the Arduino 4 volts, again, I would want both sets pairs of stepper motors to change from 18 and 16 clicks down to a different setting and stop.
The main controller would asteady be used for the HVAC in the car as well as other stuff as well without getting too detail lol.
Hope that gives you a better insight.
Also actuators on valves for ahus and fan coils have quite long drive times, depends on the make and model of the actuator really.
