Automatic sliding door question using linear actuator

Jyetman · 03/23/2018, 08:11 PM

So I have a cat who needs to be let in and out while i'm on vacation. My apartment has a "bolted" sliding glass door with a screen door. I need to open and close that screen door 4" using a actuator connected to my apex eb4 bar. My question is to operate the linear actuator 12+ volts DC to open and 12- DC to close. Can I wire two 12 volt DC power supplies to the actuator one power supply being the "+" the other "-" plugged into 2 separate EB4 outlets for each power supplies? How can I make this work? Any better ideas would be greatly appreciated.

mcgyvr · 03/24/2018, 08:41 AM

You just need single supply and a DPDT relay

First link I found.. I didn't scan for total accuracy.. you don't need the switch.. just plug the 12VDC supply into the eb4 outlet
http://blog.actuonix.com/2017/12/how...ol-linear.html

Jyetman · 03/26/2018, 12:49 PM

[QUOTE=mcgyvr;25398186]You just need single supply and a DPDT relay

First link I found.. I didn't scan for total accuracy.. you don't need the switch.. just plug the 12VDC supply into the eb4 outlet
http://blog.actuonix.com/2017/12/how...ol-linear.html[/QUOTE

Do you know if these actuators are fast or slow moving? If I lower the 12 volts will they move slower?

mcgyvr · 03/26/2018, 12:54 PM

You didn't specify which actuator so I can't go look at its specs to read the speed from the specifications for you

Typically you PWM them for speed control.. If you adjust the voltage you reduce its force...

Jyetman · 04/02/2018, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

You just need single supply and a DPDT relay

First link I found.. I didn't scan for total accuracy.. you don't need the switch.. just plug the 12VDC supply into the eb4 outlet
http://blog.actuonix.com/2017/12/how...ol-linear.html

The one you provided requires a switch unless its a timing switch it wont work for my project. I found this but according to the diagram it requires two power supplies do they sell already made boards?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kvuxg410gw...lays2.jpg?dl=0

sfdan · 04/03/2018, 01:35 AM

For the linear actuator, a single power supply and a single Double-Pole Double-Throw (DPDT) relay is all you need. This power supply should be always on.

But to control the DPDT relay, which will switch the polarity of the power supply and make the linear actuator go the other direction, you'll need another (much lighter duty) power supply.

So get a DPDT relay, then wire it up so it is effectively just switching the polarity of the linear actuator. You can see the example wiring here (https://www.firgelliauto.com/product...nical-drawings).

Then for the DPDT relay, wire the coil leads to an appropriately sized power supply in your EB4, and when you turn the power outlet on, you'll power the coil and flip the DPDT relay. When you shut the power off, the DPDT relay will flip back and the linear actuator will go the other way.

Just poking around Jameco, it looks like you can get an appropriate relay for $6 and a light duty power supply to go along with it for another $5-6 (though I'm sure you'll have a light duty 12v DC adapter lying around). Then you just need your beefier power supply for the linear actuator and you are good to go.

mcgyvr · 04/03/2018, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jyetman

The one you provided requires a switch unless its a timing switch it wont work for my project. I found this but according to the diagram it requires two power supplies do they sell already made boards?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kvuxg410gw...lays2.jpg?dl=0

Like I said above.. you don't need the switch.. You can just omit it and in case its not clear just connect the 2 ends that would go to each side of the switch together... The schematic I posted above works just fine..

Jyetman · 04/03/2018, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfdan

For the linear actuator, a single power supply and a single Double-Pole Double-Throw (DPDT) relay is all you need. This power supply should be always on.

But to control the DPDT relay, which will switch the polarity of the power supply and make the linear actuator go the other direction, you'll need another (much lighter duty) power supply.

So get a DPDT relay, then wire it up so it is effectively just switching the polarity of the linear actuator. You can see the example wiring here (https://www.firgelliauto.com/product...nical-drawings).

Then for the DPDT relay, wire the coil leads to an appropriately sized power supply in your EB4, and when you turn the power outlet on, you'll power the coil and flip the DPDT relay. When you shut the power off, the DPDT relay will flip back and the linear actuator will go the other way.

Just poking around Jameco, it looks like you can get an appropriate relay for $6 and a light duty power supply to go along with it for another $5-6 (though I'm sure you'll have a light duty 12v DC adapter lying around). Then you just need your beefier power supply for the linear actuator and you are good to go.

For switch trigger can I use any size DC power supply to the relay's coil terminals? Do I need a resistor in parallel or series?

Jyetman · 04/03/2018, 05:13 PM

Never mind I got it working with a 8.4 V DC 1.5A Power supply on switch side just hope it don't blow up. Thanks

sfdan · 04/03/2018, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jyetman

For switch trigger can I use any size DC power supply to the relay's coil terminals? Do I need a resistor in parallel or series?

It depends on the type of relay. Some use AC for the relay coil, some use DC. Some are designed for 12V, some for 24V, etc.

The spec sheet will have all the info, including the minimum voltages necessary to operate along with the expected current. If you have a coil designed for 12V DC, and you supply it 12V DC, you don't need a resistor, the internal resistance of the coil will limit the current to the appropriate levels.

If you using 12V DC on a relay that is designed for 5V, or perhaps 8.4V for a relay that designed for 5V, you would want to put a resister in series to lower the current flowing through the it. The size of the resister would be determined by internal resistance of the relay which you'd find on the spec sheet. There also are probably smarter ways of wiring it up using other components that I don't know because I'm not an electrical expert, but putting the resister is certainly better than nothing (and potentially some fancier way of wiring it up is better than just a resistor).

By far the easiest thing is just make sure the power supply voltage matches what the relay coil expects and then you don't need to worry about anything else... just plug the power supply directly to the coil.

aaronpentz · 04/03/2018, 06:34 PM

You should be careful what linear actuator you use also. If it doesn't have endstop switches the motor will always be trying to close the door and will over heat. The actuators with endstop switches will cut power to the motor when it reaches full return and stroke. You can get around this by using a second eb8 outlet to cut main power after say 1 min

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Jyetman · 04/03/2018, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronpentz

You should be careful what linear actuator you use also. If it doesn't have endstop switches the motor will always be trying to close the door and will over heat. The actuators with endstop switches will cut power to the motor when it reaches full return and stroke. You can get around this by using a second eb8 outlet to cut main power after say 1 min

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

It does shuts off when it reaches both end strokes. It was cheapest I could find on amazon for $38 bucks 12 Volt 4" 220 LBS linear actuator.

Jyetman · 04/03/2018, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfdan

It depends on the type of relay. Some use AC for the relay coil, some use DC. Some are designed for 12V, some for 24V, etc.

The spec sheet will have all the info, including the minimum voltages necessary to operate along with the expected current. If you have a coil designed for 12V DC, and you supply it 12V DC, you don't need a resistor, the internal resistance of the coil will limit the current to the appropriate levels.

If you using 12V DC on a relay that is designed for 5V, or perhaps 8.4V for a relay that designed for 5V, you would want to put a resister in series to lower the current flowing through the it. The size of the resister would be determined by internal resistance of the relay which you'd find on the spec sheet. There also are probably smarter ways of wiring it up using other components that I don't know because I'm not an electrical expert, but putting the resister is certainly better than nothing (and potentially some fancier way of wiring it up is better than just a resistor).

By far the easiest thing is just make sure the power supply voltage matches what the relay coil expects and then you don't need to worry about anything else... just plug the power supply directly to the coil.

Its rated for 12 V DC I assume on coil too the 8.4 V works fine.

Jyetman · 04/03/2018, 06:48 PM

To make it more fancy someday do they make trigger sensors? I like to put a sensor on the cats collar to automate the door?

aaronpentz · 04/03/2018, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jyetman

It does shuts off when it reaches both end strokes. It was cheapest I could find on amazon for $38 bucks 12 Volt 4" 220 LBS linear actuator.

I would check via current readings from the motor. Just because you don't hear or feel the motor running doesn't mean it's not powered. It might just be mechanically bound not allowing it to make noise.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Jyetman · 04/03/2018, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronpentz

I would check via current readings from the motor. Just because you don't hear or feel the motor running doesn't mean it's not powered. It might just be mechanically bound not allowing it to make noise.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Amazon website says has safety switches built in besides motor is cold to touch after being off awhile.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...re-bullets-btf
We designed our linear actuator with pre-lubricated metal gears, pre-installed limit switches, and with an IP65

aaronpentz · 04/03/2018, 07:03 PM

Sounds good. Now to just not cut the cat in half.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Jyetman · 04/03/2018, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronpentz

Sounds good. No to just not cut the cat in half.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Not going to happen its too slow and cat too fast

mcgyvr · 04/04/2018, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jyetman

To make it more fancy someday do they make trigger sensors? I like to put a sensor on the cats collar to automate the door?

Of course.. You can get as crazy as your imagination can take you..
How about some vision recognition.. say no to dogs or mice/birds,etc..

https://www.hackster.io/windowsiot/c...gnition-514dac
http://joakimsoderberg.github.io/catcierge/

03/23/2018, 08:11 PM	#1
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,709	Automatic sliding door question using linear actuator So I have a cat who needs to be let in and out while i'm on vacation. My apartment has a "bolted" sliding glass door with a screen door. I need to open and close that screen door 4" using a actuator connected to my apex eb4 bar. My question is to operate the linear actuator 12+ volts DC to open and 12- DC to close. Can I wire two 12 volt DC power supplies to the actuator one power supply being the "+" the other "-" plugged into 2 separate EB4 outlets for each power supplies? How can I make this work? Any better ideas would be greatly appreciated.

03/24/2018, 08:41 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	You just need single supply and a DPDT relay First link I found.. I didn't scan for total accuracy.. you don't need the switch.. just plug the 12VDC supply into the eb4 outlet http://blog.actuonix.com/2017/12/how...ol-linear.html __________________ Who me?

03/26/2018, 12:54 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	You didn't specify which actuator so I can't go look at its specs to read the speed from the specifications for you Typically you PWM them for speed control.. If you adjust the voltage you reduce its force... __________________ Who me?

04/03/2018, 06:34 PM	#11
aaronpentz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pingree Grove, IL Posts: 943	You should be careful what linear actuator you use also. If it doesn't have endstop switches the motor will always be trying to close the door and will over heat. The actuators with endstop switches will cut power to the motor when it reaches full return and stroke. You can get around this by using a second eb8 outlet to cut main power after say 1 min Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk __________________ "Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling it brings" Current Tank Info: 67 Long

04/03/2018, 07:03 PM	#17
aaronpentz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pingree Grove, IL Posts: 943	Sounds good. Now to just not cut the cat in half. Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk __________________ "Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling it brings" Current Tank Info: 67 Long Last edited by aaronpentz; 04/03/2018 at 09:56 PM.

03/26/2018, 12:49 PM	#3
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,709	[QUOTE=mcgyvr;25398186]You just need single supply and a DPDT relay First link I found.. I didn't scan for total accuracy.. you don't need the switch.. just plug the 12VDC supply into the eb4 outlet http://blog.actuonix.com/2017/12/how...ol-linear.html[/QUOTE Do you know if these actuators are fast or slow moving? If I lower the 12 volts will they move slower?

04/03/2018, 01:35 AM	#6
sfdan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: San Francisco Posts: 439	For the linear actuator, a single power supply and a single Double-Pole Double-Throw (DPDT) relay is all you need. This power supply should be always on. But to control the DPDT relay, which will switch the polarity of the power supply and make the linear actuator go the other direction, you'll need another (much lighter duty) power supply. So get a DPDT relay, then wire it up so it is effectively just switching the polarity of the linear actuator. You can see the example wiring here (https://www.firgelliauto.com/product...nical-drawings). Then for the DPDT relay, wire the coil leads to an appropriately sized power supply in your EB4, and when you turn the power outlet on, you'll power the coil and flip the DPDT relay. When you shut the power off, the DPDT relay will flip back and the linear actuator will go the other way. Just poking around Jameco, it looks like you can get an appropriate relay for $6 and a light duty power supply to go along with it for another $5-6 (though I'm sure you'll have a light duty 12v DC adapter lying around). Then you just need your beefier power supply for the linear actuator and you are good to go.

04/03/2018, 05:13 PM	#9
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,709	Never mind I got it working with a 8.4 V DC 1.5A Power supply on switch side just hope it don't blow up. Thanks

04/03/2018, 06:48 PM	#14
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,709	To make it more fancy someday do they make trigger sensors? I like to put a sensor on the cats collar to automate the door?