I am working on a remote control lawnmower, but having trouble hooking the remote start up. Can you tell me out.For our lawnmower project, we are using a programable Arduino Uno to read signals from a receiver to control various relays and lights. Our problem is with activating the electric starter on the mower, which runs on a 12v source. Our "rst a#empt we used a dual relay board from eBay, which failed after the "rst try and is now stuck inthe closed position. Our second attempt we used a cheap Solid State Relay also from ebay, and failed in a similar way as the "1st attempt. And finally, our latest attempt we used relay like the one in the "1st attmpt to activate a 12v solenoid that would then press the original momentary switch used to start the lawnmower. This also resulted in a relay stuck in the closed position and not returning to the open position.I’m rather new to this type of work dealing with electricity, so I don’t know where to go from here and would love to hear some advice. Thank
Lawnmower Starter and Relay.docx (813 KB)
Hi,
To troubleshoot the issue, you can try this :
]Change your Arduino digital output pin that controls the relay board./:m]
]Connect only the Arduino and the relay board and write a simple sketch that activate and deactivate the relay by putting high or low the Arduino digital output pin./:m]
]You can monitor the digital output pin of the Arduino. You can put the Arduino digital output pin high and verify with a multimeter that it’s 5V then you can put low and verify if it’s 0V./:m]
]Also, the current that comes from your 12V source to your solonoid might cause the contacts to weld closed. Even if your static load current is within the relay’s capability, the surge current when it closes can weld the contacts. Please take a look at this post./:m]