Hello everyone, as a first time poster hopefully I'm putting this in the right spot.
Quick summary (TL;DR)
I'm rebuilding and adding functionality to an industrial parts washer. I am looking for a shove in the right direction to purchase my first Arduino board that will be capable of running my first project. I just want to make sure that I don't waste money on a board that will not get put to work in the real world application after I learn how to program. The main parts of the build are:
230V 1ph 2HP motor
a second smaller motor around 1/4 hp (still need to ID it)
water lever sensor
temp sensor
heating element
micro switch for the lid
latching "E-Stop" button
pressure transducer
I need a board that has enough power and inputs/outputs to run the thing. If that was enough info for you to recommend a board and you wish to read no further, awesome. If you want the full story or are interested in the project, read on
So I got my first project that I want to put some brains and controls on/in. I won’t actually be attempting the physical build for about another 4-6 months so I have plenty of time to learn new things while completing other projects (and buying a house).
I picked up an insta-clean IC-4 parts washer for pocket change at auction. It was missing the pump and main motor. It is also either missing or lacked from the factory enough bells and whistles to make me love it. I have since acquired (via other auctions haha) a suitable motor and pump for the washer. I intend to refurbish and improve this washer to make it bad a$$. I do have a lathe and a welder with the associated accessories so fabrication does not scare me. I have basic electrical skills, I even kind of enjoy wiring, but I have never tried anything like what I want to do to this washer before.
This is my first (of many?) electronic projects that will incorporate a microprocessor controlling various servos, motors, valves etc. I could really benefit with a shove in the right direction so I’m not wasting time with information that I will never use or never need to know so I can ensure that what I seek out to learn is actually applicable to what I want to do in my shop and around the house. I intend to follow this project with a 3D printer and a plasma CNC table among other things, so this is my chance to build a solid foundation of working with microprocessors from a hobby perspective while focusing on safety, reliability and durability.
I’ve poked around at learning how to program Arduino which seems super easy but I am a hands on person so I need to actually do it. I want to order a starter kit and start coding but I want to what I buy can be used to control the parts washer.
Some quick info about this parts washer.
It is a fully enclosed heavy duty steel cabinet. Parts are top loaded onto a round expanded steel parts tray that rotates. The sprayers are made up of 3 sections of iron pipe with holes drilled into them, they form a “C” around the parts tray. Tank capacity is probably somewhere around 30 gallons. The pump motor is a 2hp Leeson, 220V, single phase, TEFC, hazardous duty motor. The turn table motor is currently unknown, but I expect it to be no more than ¼ hp and 110v (I have not checked to see if it has a motor on it yet lol). The cleaner is heated by a heating element in the bottom of the tank.
The idea would be close the lid, hit “on”, set the time, set temp, hit “run” and walk away.
The functions I would like the washer to have would be:
(disclaimer, this list was originally a brain dump)
•Power on light
Comes on after sensing voltage at the power pin of the motor relay or some other appropriate place to know that the motor is ready to turn on.
•Lid open safety switch.
Simple waterproof, on/off physical switch that will close when the lid is closed. (Maybe have the board look for a ground on this pin so it only needs 1 wire running to the board instead of two.)
•Temp sensor
Variable temp sensor (operating range currently unknown)
•Low water sensor
Senses contact/no contact with the water in the cleaning tank. (Allows for automatic shutdown in the event the water level drops too low to prevent the pump from running dry.)
•Pressure transducer.
Provides both nice to know info and automatic shutdown in case of a pump failure.
•Emergency off button
For obvious reasons. Deactivates as many live circuits as possible.
•Circuit breakers for the pump motor, heater element and turn table motor.
•Turn table direction control.
Current installed motor type is unknown. This would not be a required feature but would be nice to have if the motor is compatible with voltage control.
•Ability to set cycle time.
Some method to set desired wash time. 4 position rotary knob (5,10,15 and 20 min), momentary push button that cycles though the pre-programmed options, digital number pad etc.
•Ability to set desired temp of wash.
Automatically turn on pump motor when lid closed after reaching temp setting with toggle on/off may be desirable. Resolution of 25 to 50 degrees F per setting should allow plenty of flexibility to ensure parts with sensitive materials (low durability plastics) don’t get damaged.
•Ability to turn heater on and off.
•I would like each of the part of the washer to be monitored.
Failure of any one part would result in opening the heater and motor relays bringing the washer to an “idle” state. An automatic “idle” shut down of the washer should happen in the event of things like, turn table failure, low water level, low water pressure, heater failure (short circuit or failure to change water temp by “x” degrees over “y” time), temp sensor failure, main pump motor failure etc. Throwing a code up on the display might even be nice to save me time.
In closing, I know that putting all of this stuff together in one box and actually have it do what I want when I want is going to be a challenge. I just want to know if there is a light at the end of the tunnel or if I am looking in the wrong place. If you made it this far, thanks for reading and I look forward to your input on this (massive to me) project.