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Remote Control Dual Linear Actuators

J

j1mmyZ

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have two 115VAC 1.6A Linear Actuators that I'm using to raise and
lower a scissor lift contraption. I currently use a DPDT switch (on-
off-on) to control the direction of the actuators, the Actuators have
built-in limit switches.

Because of the design of the Contraption the dpdt switch is not a
convenient means to turn the actuators on and off. I would like to
integrate an X-10 appliance module with a DPDT relay to run the
actuators? Is this a suitable or even possible application for a DPDT
relay? OR is their a simpler circuit that I could create?

thanks in advance,
james
 
E

ehsjr

Jan 1, 1970
0
j1mmyZ said:
I have two 115VAC 1.6A Linear Actuators that I'm using to raise and
lower a scissor lift contraption. I currently use a DPDT switch (on-
off-on) to control the direction of the actuators, the Actuators have
built-in limit switches.

Because of the design of the Contraption the dpdt switch is not a
convenient means to turn the actuators on and off. I would like to
integrate an X-10 appliance module with a DPDT relay to run the
actuators? Is this a suitable or even possible application for a DPDT
relay? OR is their a simpler circuit that I could create?

thanks in advance,
james

Do you have access to the limit switches where you
can wire them yourself? I have a system where I
use the limit switches to drop out the run relay.
The run relay is activated when the direction relay
changes from energized to de-energized or vice versa.
The direction relay is 3PDT, the run relay is SPST.
The direction relay is controlled by a toggle switch.
You could use an X-10 to provide the toggle switch
function. That would initiate a cycle where the
acutators go from fully extended to fully retracted
(or vice versa), then stop. If you want the capability
to stop somewhere in between, then a single X-10 driving
a DPDT relay won't do it.

Ed
 
J

j1mmyZ

Jan 1, 1970
0
Do you have access to the limit switches where you
can wire them yourself? I have a system where I
use the limit switches to drop out the run relay.
The run relay is activated when the direction relay
changes from energized to de-energized or vice versa.
The direction relay is 3PDT, the run relay is SPST.
The direction relay is controlled by a toggle switch.
You could use an X-10 to provide the toggle switch
function. That would initiate a cycle where the
acutators go from fully extended to fully retracted
(or vice versa), then stop. If you want the capability
to stop somewhere in between, then a single X-10 driving
a DPDT relay won't do it.

Ed

I don't have to stop it in the middle and so my basic dpdt relay would
work. I've never tried this sort of application and am very much self
taught. I did manage to create a PWM to use as a thermostat which I
connected to a couple of TEC's but I'm not so familiar with using
relays. On another thought, would an h-bridge allow me to stop in the
middle if I wanted? I don't have to use an x-10 module (I have some
lying around) I just wanted something simple that would allow remote/
wireless control of the circuit.

thanks again,
james
 
E

ehsjr

Jan 1, 1970
0
j1mmyZ said:
I don't have to stop it in the middle and so my basic dpdt relay would
work. I've never tried this sort of application and am very much self
taught. I did manage to create a PWM to use as a thermostat which I
connected to a couple of TEC's but I'm not so familiar with using
relays. On another thought, would an h-bridge allow me to stop in the
middle if I wanted? I don't have to use an x-10 module (I have some
lying around) I just wanted something simple that would allow remote/
wireless control of the circuit.

thanks again,
james

Here's how mine is wired:

AC ----+-------------------------+------+
| | |
[RY1] [RY2] |
| | |
o | |
/ Run Sw | [Motor]
Up o o Down | |
| | |
| | o
o---+ Up Limit Sw | | <| Ry2-1
/ | / | |
AC --o o---+---o o-------+ | o
U D | | | |
Run | v | |
Sw | ---o---+ |
| |
+---o->o---o---^ Ry1-1 |
| Lo Limit Sw |
| |
+----o o----+
|Ry1-2 Ry1-3 |
|> |<------+----------|> |<---+
| | |
| | |
| | |
| [Reverse coil] |
| | |
+----------+------------------+

My motor has 2 coils. By changing the polarity of one coil with
respect to the other, the motor reverses. That function -
changing the polarity - is done by Ry1-2 and Ry1-3.

The DPDT center off run switch determines whether RY1 will be
energized or deenergized.

The limit switches control RY2. When at the lower limit, the lo
limit switch is open; when at the upper limit, the up limit
switch is open. Anwhere in between, and both limit switches
are closed. The RY1-1 point determines which limit switch
is in series with the RY2 coil. Thus, when the mechanism is
travelling up, the upper limit switch is selected; when it
is travelling down, the lower limit switch is selected.

Ry2-1 controls whether the motor runs or not.

As shown in the diagram, the motor has reached the upper limit,
opening the Up switch and de-energizing RY2. Ry1 is not energized,
because the run switch is in the up position. If you move the
run switch to the down position, RY1 will energize, which in turn
will energize RY2 through the lower limit switch and the RY1-1
contact.

You could use your X-10 system to control a SPDT relay, and use
the relay contacts in place of the upper portion of the run switch
in the above diagram. Assuming your motor works the same as mine,
and that you can get to the limit switches to wire them
up per the above, you can use the circuit.

Ed
 
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