Hi all
I was wondering if anyone could tell me what product is suitable on the website to control linear artulators (12v) over the wifi and iPhone
Thanks
Hi,
The answer to this question depends on a few things, but mostly on the type of linear actuator and its interface.
If the linear actuator is a simple one with only 2 wires (V+ & V-) and internal limit switches, then you can simply connect it to an H-bridge or motor controller board with the appropriate ratings, a power source and some kind of microcontroller with WiFi interface.
If the linear actuator does not have internal limit switches but instead has a V+, V- and an internal potentiometer (or other positioning sensor) outputting a signal proportional to the position, you will need an H-Bridge/motor controller as above but also take care of reading the position and using it to control when to power on/off the motor and it what direction (a control system).
If the linear actuator had an internal controller, then you can simply have a microcontroller sending it commands directly through its interface. Many interface exists, such as RC type, analog, 4-20 mA, serial, etc.
In all those cases, you will either need a microcontroller with a WiFi module or one that can connect a WiFi module to it.
We certainly have all the parts for any of these setups, but it is difficult to recommend anything specific without more details about your linear actuator (such as interface type, current continuous/peek/stall, etc.).
For now, you can find all of our DC brushed motor controllers here. You can also see our Arduino-compatible boards with WiFi capabilities, such as:
RB-Lin-40
RB-Ard-83
RB-Ada-327
Let us know for details of your project and we can offer more specific advice.
Sincerely,
*** update 2017-07-03 - update all 4 links for UK links ***]
Cheers pal for taking time out to reply
The artulators I’ve purchased are two of these ebay.co.uk/itm/152601919759
I have to power this by uk mains so would you a power convertor
Hi,
Thanks for the details. So it is a 12 V DC linear actuator with a 20% duty cycle and internal limit switches (fixed).
Unfortunately, they do not provide any details about current use @ 12 V DC. Well, if electricity was perfectly converted into mechanical force, the most powerful version of this device would produce 1500 N.
A quick calculation would land at about 500 mA @ 12 V DC at maximum continuous power (perfect efficiency) and peak is most likely multiple times that. Of course, no such system is 100% efficient, so assume ~1-2 A for current at least.
Therefore, you may be able to get away with a 2-5 A DC motor controller, depending on peak current and which version you have and how much load you place on it (and moving against or with gravity, other mechanical help/resistance, etc.).
Our best value DC motor controller of high quality for this range of power is most likely the [RB-Cyt-132]. It is well designed and can take up to 13 A continuous with no extra heat sinks! Does a great job for such cases. Plus, it comes with convenient buttons to test out your electrical setup to be sure everything works. Very helpful when you need to physically reset the actuator between wireless tests or just to be sure everything works before connecting the microcontroller.
This manufacturer also has an [RB-Cyt-116] of the same design. It can support 10 A continuous (15 A peak). The shield uses one signal pin (to control speed) set to Arduino pin 3 and one direction pin set to Arduino pin 2.
While we are at this, the same manufacturer also has another shield that may interest you, the RB-Cyt-183. It is a ESP8266-based WiFi shield. It can use many pins settings of your choice (jumpers on top to select). See the manual (page 9) for details. This way, you could use those two shields (with an Arduino-compatible board) and be pretty much set.
We hope this helps.
Sincerely,
P.-S.: We’ve update our previous post with UK links, for your convenience.
Thank you for your very detailed response
I was looking for something simple it’s looks quite techincal ! And I don’t have that experience
And was looking for something simple to connect
For example I brought this last time. ebay.co.uk/itm/201818780103 ( this package )
And I used this walmart.com/ip/S-360-12-AC- … /140478635 ( not exact but simlliar )
So all I need it a package that will push pull and pull the artulators using mobile connection over wifi / 4g
Thanks
Sorry this is the project youtu.be/Tbd2CeWk6dU
Note the south flaps will be running with artulator
And the roof is done via a tubular motor which is powered by uk main and wireless remote
Oh, I see what you mean.
Well, if you want to use WiFi and a phone/control it programmatically, you will most certainly need to include something that will understand the WiFi protocol and execute the move. Of course, this device will then need to send the resulting command to the motor driver controlling your linear actuator.
We went through our entire catalogue and did not find a one product solution at this point for using WiFi as easily. Of course, if you find such a product from a different supplier, please let us know and we’ll do our best to add this to our selection. We’ll keep an eye open knowing there is a need for this.
We do have other alternatives for wireless control (using a manual remote control), such as RB-Prg-09 or RB-Fra-53 (both 2 channels) that would be easier to wire-up/setup.
Sincerely,
Thanks
This is the product that does it. But it’s really expensive lunaticastronomical.com/epa … cale=en_GB
Many thanks for your detailed responses. Top work
Oh, neat. A professional grade one! 
Well, the way I see it, with a few dozen pounds and a few hours of checking out Arduino tutorials, you could do the same things relatively easily (for one channel / linear actuator). Of course, it wouldn’t be as neat as this professional product with its nice case… But, it would work! 
Also, if you need a good 12 V DC robotics power supply, we would recommend this one: RB-Hap-06. The box says it has a “US” type cable (removable), but it should also be packaged with a UK-compatible cable when sold there as a free add-on.
We use this for internal tests and it is great! Plus, it comes with good short protection (it simply shuts off if shorted and resumes power a bit after, once the short is removed).
Sincerely,