complete beginner with arduino, electronics and everything related here.
Watching videos and reading everything i could find, i managed to control 1 solenoid with my Arduino Uno.
Now, to go forward with my project, i just ordered these 2 actuators:
-Does anybody know what kind of motor shield do i need to drive them?
-Will an Arduino motor Shield Rev3 do? It seems that this Shield can control only 2 motors so then there will be no space for my solenoid Is there any other motor driver that will allow me to use all three simultaneously without the need to buy one more Arduino Uno?
I messaged the seller inquiring about the current draw and still wait for the answer, but from what i can find on the internet, these door lock actuators might need multiple Amperes, like 5, maybe even more..
It was easy enough to just google then look at the other matching items.
I would have said a relay or MOSFET would be more suitable as they are simply one position or the other.
That is unless you have something else also happening ?
yoreb:
I messaged the seller inquiring about the current draw and still wait for the answer, but from what i can find on the internet, these door lock actuators might need multiple Amperes, like 5, maybe even more..
Then you may have to actually measure the current draw. Even if you get current draw from the seller, you still won't know what the current draw will be when the motor makes the clutches slip.
It was easy enough to just google then look at the other matching items.
I would love to see where exactly you found that info about the actuator because i cant. The only actuators i found with 3.3 Amps were only capable of pulling 6 lbs, which is half of what mine supposingly can. Keep in mind that there's many that look exactly the same, so maybe that confused you?
In any case when i have secure info on current draw i will come back on that.
As for what i need it: I will use it to mechanically control drums. So i will attach drum sticks on them and the actuators need to push and pull immediately, without staying at the push position. At worst cases they will have to do this momentary action 3 times per second, but not for long intervals, max 10 seconds lets say.
ok so i did manage to find some info on the internet and it was stated that each of them draws 3+ Amps.
An email from the actual seller will arrive next week, so i think its safe to accept the 3.3 Amps that ballscrewbob mentioned.
Paul_KD7HB: I'm not incorporating a method for cooling them yet, i "stole" the idea for using door lock actuators for mechanical drums from a guy who already did it and posted some info on it on the Internet and they seemed to work for him. I will try to contact that guy and ask about it.
So, back to the initial question:
The specs are 3.3 Amps,12 Volts. Should i use a motor shield, or a relay as someone above mentioned? Is it still possible to control 2 actuators and a solenoid with one Arduino Uno? (the solenoid is already working great without a motor shield or anything).
If you could be extra descriptive in your answers (like: you should buy this one! ) i would appreciate it doubly.
I thank you all in advance.
I would certainly go for a relay but given your purpose I would specify an SSR type. (sold state)
You could also do it with logic level MOSFETS and that may also allow you to control how hard the drum is hit to a limited degree on the lower range of the solenoids voltage range.
Most car components are rated up to 16 volts so that may give you a little wiggle room for the strike.
Using MOSFETS would give you access to PWM features which define a signals strength (put simply)
yoreb:
I messaged the seller inquiring about the current draw and still wait for the answer, but from what i can find on the internet, these door lock actuators might need multiple Amperes, like 5, maybe even more..
I have a pair of similar ones and they draw 4.something amps stalled.
ok, thanks bobscrewbob,wawa and dougp for the help.
-I'm not so attracted to these relays, because of AC power needed, plus i read that relays should only be energized once every 2 seconds or so?
-the H-Bridge seems good, and i love the option to control the strength of the hit! Since that one is for Crowduino, could i just connect it with jumper wires to my Arduino Uno?
-Wawa (or Leo), would a Logic Mosfet like this for example do? and can it provide 12 Volts to the actuators (i guess yes if output load voltage is the thing i think it is)
-In general, can the H-bridge, the simple logic level Mosfet, or anything else be energized 3 times per second for lets say an interval of 10-15 seconds without getting fried?
Just because a relay says AC does not mean it cannot pass a DC voltage.
Used them here for multiple purposes both AC and DC with no adverse affects.
EDIT and as for the IRF series the 540 works flawlessly here and one project is on year 3 and counting and may be used with Arduino's but maybe not the 3.3 volt boards though.
ballscrewbob:
Just because a relay says AC does not mean it cannot pass a DC voltage.
True, but it will keep on passing current until you cut the power.
That's what thyristors/triacs do.
ballscrewbob:
...and as for the IRF series the 540 works flawlessly here.
Yes, most of them do. Especially if you keep drain current low.
But it's usually best to use parts designed for 5volt, so you can be sure it always works as expected.
Leo..
One more question i forgot to ask:
-Do i have to take any precautions so that excess voltage from the H bridge doesn't somehow go back and damage the Arduino? For example, i saw somewhere that some people bend a specific pin of a motor shield when mounting to an arduino, so that it doesn't connect to it, or something on these lines.
If it was the link to the IRF520 module then No !
they have issues with handling larger current draw.
If it was a rethink and something else please give us a link
My crystal ball cannot keep up with the wife let alone the forum. ;D
Is there any other motor driver that will allow me to use all three simultaneously without the need to buy one more Arduino Uno?
) i would appreciate it doubly.