Total Noob - Hidden bar build

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

I'm hoping someone can offer a little direction on a project I'd like to build. I'm looking to fab a back bar (for drinks), and I'd like to have a hidden shelf containing the bottles of alcohol elevate through the counter. My initial thought was to build a scissor lift driven by a winch to contract the mechanism since actuators are too slow, and my wife would be too impatient and just leave the shelf up all the time.

I'd like to have one button that runs the whole thing, so it would need to run the winch forward to a specific point, and with a second press of the same button run the winch in reverse to retract the shelf back down. I'm assuming that means limit switches, relays or motor controllers to run the 4.1a 120v motor, and programming an arduino to make all of this happen.

Am I heading in the right direction, and does anyone have any advice on how to set this up? I've never dealt with arduinos before, but this seems like a simple enough project to try my hand at it.
Thanks in advance.

2

It sounds like it should work, and not be too complex for a beginner.

I suggest you start by studying some of the example programs that come with the Arduino IDE. They probably cover all of the techniques that your need.

Then write separate short programs to learn how to work with each piece of equipment - your control switch, the limit switches and the relays to control the motor.

Note that if you are content to use a simple single-pole-double-throw toggle switch (rather than a push-button momentary contact switch) you could implement the whole thing without any microprocessor. You may even be able to get latching push-button switches that behave like a toggle switch.

...R

3

Thanks Robin2.

Good advice - I'm actually okay with a more simplified approach. I looked into options for that route and found a nice solution. Thanks again.