Very nice!...Glad to see the design worked out so far!
Very nice!...Glad to see the design worked out so far!
In a time of chimpanzees I was a monkey.
You might try a PWM motor controller like this:
http://www.hobbyengineering.com/H1742.html
I've got a couple of these and they're pretty easy to solder together.
Thanks Mach one question though in order for the motor to turn on do you have to turn the knob on the pot? Or do you just set the pot to the speed you want and then use another switch like say a DPDT rocker type switch which was what I was planning on trying any way.
I want to use the IR board like Crimson used but am not sure I can assemble it.
Charles
Bidirectional DC Motor Speed Controller
This kit allows controlling the speed of a DC motor in both the forward and reverse direction. The range of control is from fully OFF to fully ON in both directions. The direction and speed is controlled using a single potentiometer. Turningthe pot in one direction causes the motor to start spinning. Turning the pot in the other direction causes the motor to spin in the opposite direction. The center position on thepot is OFF. This design avoids the need for a direction reversing switch and avoids mechanical and electrical stress by forcing a smooth transition from one direction to the other.
Only the pot controls the motor on this board. I'm sure a clever person could add switches to it, but I wouldnt. There are other controller boards out there that would suit your needs, just need to do a little digging. The kits are cheaper than the assembled boards--and some are sold as kits only. They are not difficult to put together, you just need a decent soldering iron.
In a time of chimpanzees I was a monkey.
Thanks Crimson for the info on the Bi-directional speed controler I ordered two of them.
What do you think of my paint scheme Paint the Door Gray , and the rest of the assembly Black.?
Also can the door be painted assembled or will the paint cause it to stick together at the hinge joints?
I haven't glued the ends of the pins yet just in case I needed to disassemble it for painting.
And what about the insides of the tracks should they be painted or will it cause the door to not slide as well as it did before?
Charles
I would paint the door sections and track (inside and out) with Krylon Fusion paint and reassemble after it's dry. As long as you apply some lithium grease afterwards the paint won't prevent the parts from sticking.
In a time of chimpanzees I was a monkey.
Crimson is right, the pot controls the speed and direction. You would need to physically turn the knob to control direction and speed.
Thanks Crimson and Mach
I will do as sugested and disassemble the door for painting.
As for the speed control board turning the knob to control the door will be ok I just hope that the assembled controller board is not too big so I can find a good place to mount it.
I don't suppose you would know if it comes with a knob?
Charles
It would be no problem at all to just attach long wires to the pot, then solder the opposite ends of teh wires to the board. This way you can put the pot/knob any where ya want on the case.
In a time of chimpanzees I was a monkey.
Knobs are probably sold separately--You could even mount a small gear on the pot shaft and make a slider switch.
In a time of chimpanzees I was a monkey.