Small motor queries

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Grifftapher
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2018 1:04 am

Small motor queries

Post by Grifftapher » Wed Nov 21, 2018 1:48 pm

Hi everyone, new to electronics so your help is greatly appreciated.

I need to build a small mechanism where a motor opens/closes a acrylic cover (horizontally) on a timer.

So, for example, at 10:00pm the acrylic cover slides open and then closes at 11:00pm.

The design is a similar to a funnel where the base is around 5" in diameter. At a certain time, I want a piece of acrylic (or anything of-the-like) to open the base of the funnel and then close after a certain time as well. It is a very basic setup, but as someone who has never studied electronics i'm a bit at a loss where to start.

Any advice as to where I can learn the circuitry and the underlying mechanisms to make this function would be greatly appreciated.

I'm guessing I need a motor that is linked into a system where it is triggered to open by some sort of timer and then cut off by a trigger (to stop it constantly spinning) and then close again on the basis of the timer.

Thank you in advance

David
Posts: 220
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2015 6:18 pm

Re: Small motor queries

Post by David » Thu Nov 22, 2018 12:02 pm

Hello.
This sounds like a project which is very suitable for the use of two timers from the 555 family. Use one for the initial delay, and the second for the timing of the open time of the door. You may well have to use a relay connected to the output of timer two to switch the motor, but this will depend on the actual devices and motor that you have.
There is a very useful "Beginners' Guide" on this site - read that first. There are also many, many books available on the net (not amazon alone!) to get you started.
You might like to think about modifying a cat feeder (you can get these in any pet shop) to complete your project. You can also get complete timers that will do the switching on and off at regular intervals for such things as water pumps, heaters and so forth, and will plug into a mains socket.

>> IF YOU ARE USING THE MAINS, EXERCISE THE GREATEST CARE! <<

Hope this helps. Post again on this site if you can be a little more focussed as to what you want to do, what power supplies, tools etc. you have and what engineering experience you have.

JayHot
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2018 9:57 am

Re: Small motor queries

Post by JayHot » Fri Dec 21, 2018 12:47 pm

Why such a big warning about the mains? What could go wrong with those, David?

David
Posts: 220
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2015 6:18 pm

Re: Small motor queries

Post by David » Sun Dec 23, 2018 4:22 pm

Grifftapher does not give any idea of how the project will be powered. If low voltage batteries are going to be used then my warning is not needed. If the mains supply is used, there must be adequate insulation in all areas so that it becomes impossible for anyone to receive a lethal shock. That is the only point I was trying to make.

edwin
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:20 am

Re: Small motor queries

Post by edwin » Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:26 am

Hello. You may use pic micro

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