Braindamage:
This is going to sound stupid but I need to know, besides the Arduino UNO Board, what else am I going to need to power and control the windshield motor(I have an idea of what but not sure)?Please visit our website for more information on this topic.
Rats I forgot to post the URL of a nice vid. But I left it out mostly because he used a very expensive motor controller board. The reason it's expensive is that it has tons of features that you won't need, or can probably be programmed in Arduino anyway. http://youtu.be/NhsYr85Gngw http://devicecraft.com
Here's a design that I like better because it's simpler and still totally functional. Scroll down to the -last- schematic. It uses optoisolators which is a plus for safety. Home
The TIP102 should be replaced with FET because they're much more efficient. Either require heatsink anyway.
Safety, reminds me, add a fuse to the + side of the power source.
Also as regards safety I tend to allow for lots of headroom because I HATE electrical fires. LOL!! Wiper motor runs typically at 2A, but might draw 3 or 4 under load/jam. FETs often run 5A. Relays should be the same or a little better.
FSW Product Page
That schematic doesn't show switches but you'll need them for manual operation. You could add mechanical switches that bypass the transistors, and/or add pushbuttons to input to the Arduino to control the two output pins.
You mentioned IR sensors. They're nice because they're invisible, but unless I -need- invisible or the light is annoying I prefer LED/photoresistor because they're much cheaper.
Again safety. A strong geared motor can do a LOT of damage if it gets out of control. In this case you have mechanical structures and cables and such. An out of control motor/cable can rip structures apart, detach fingers and such. Do all testing first with LEDs rather than the motor connected, until you're -sure- the motor will behave properly when the whole mechanical system starts running. I think I'd add a BRS (Big Red Switch) -panic- button right in the front of the whole structure, connected to the + side of the battery, that IF something goes wrong you just whap on it to kill the power.
The windshield motor was a great idea,thanks... I'm learning so much form this arduino forum
Be very careful what you wish for. This can get very addictive.
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