This is my first post and i'm pretty much a beginner jumping into the deep end like i usually do and end up not having a scooby doo about what to do so please take it easy on me. I'm using the arduino UNO, arduino motor shield and i have the Actuonix PQ12-30-12-P actuator. All i'm trying to do is learn about the actuator and how it works and how i can get it to do whatever i'd like. my first aim was to get it to move in and out which i did but currently i'm trying to get values from the potentiometer inside it and understand what i'm reading. I'm pretty much failing at this i think and was hoping someone could point me in the right direction and tell me what i've messed up with in the code.
Many thanks
//Actuator A
const int enA = 12;
const int brkA = 9;
int PotA = A0;
int val = 0;
void setup() {
// put your setup code here, to run once:
pinMode(enA, OUTPUT); //initialise chan A
pinMode(brkA, OUTPUT); //initalise brake a
pinMode(PotA, INPUT); //initalise potentiometer
Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop() {
// put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
val = analogRead(PotA);
//forward
digitalWrite(enA, HIGH); //extend arm
digitalWrite(brkA, LOW); //disable brake
analogWrite(3, 255); //PWM
delay(5000);
Serial.write("extended: ");
Serial.println(val);
Serial.println("\n");
//backward
digitalWrite(enA, LOW); //retract arm
digitalWrite(brkA, LOW); //disbale brake
analogWrite(3, 255);
delay(5000);
Serial.write("retracted: ");
Serial.println(val);
Serial.println("\n");
digitalWrite(brkA, HIGH); //enable brake
delay(1000);
}
You do not need to call pinMode() for analog pins. They are input-only. What you are doing here is diddling with the digital nature of the pin, which is irrelevant when using the pin as an analog pin.
You haven't said anything about how the potentiometer is connected to the Arduino, or what problems you are having.
Long before you write any code, tell us the options you chose for the actuator. 6 volt or 12 volt? Did you get the "P" option with a pot or did you get the "S" option with the limit switches.
IF you got the "P" option, what is the measured value of the pot? They list 5k ohms, +_ 50%, so pretty hard to compute a voltage divider resistor.
What do you have to power the actuator and what do you have to power the ARduino?
I've connected the actuators potentiometer to the 5V and GND with the wiper going to A0.
The values i've been getting for 'val' have been 20 and 13. Sometimes 21 and 14. Not really sure what that actually means.
I'm powering the actuator through the arduino which is just connected up via usb. I didn't really want to go all in with anything else just incase i really messed it all up. I'm showing how much i don't have a clue here i think.