ok, the actuator will move only to the fully retracted and fully extended positions. I do not have any other position control. when you rotate the pot to the lower end of defined range the actuator fully retracts and stays there. it doesn’t move until the pot approaches the upper end of the defined range, at that point it fully extends. and vice versa. I can’t get pictures posted at the moment…new computer and i can’t locate the software for my cam.
ok, I can’t get it to work. I hooked the actuator directly to the power source to make sure it is working properly and it is. when I hook the whole system together properly the actuator doesn’t move when I turn the pot. under the error tab of the config. utility there are not any errors. according to the users manual of the JRK if the feedback tab is configured correctly the scaled feedback will equal 0 at min. and 4092 at max. I tried specifying a specific range, it didn’t work so I went with full range. on the JRK the the yellow LED is flashing very quickly which, according to the users manual, means the motor(actuator) is not reaching it’s “desired state”. once again, i’m lost. at this point I don’t know which tabs I need to configure and which part under each tab that I need to worry about or how to configure anything really.
not a 100% sure how to hook up the pot and actuator to jrk?
wow, incredible! plus in conversation with a friend I found somebody that’s been assembling pcb’s for 40yrs. so soldering is no longer an issue.
what do you mean by “structure”? I assume you mean the mechanical structure in which the actuator is being used in and hooking the pos. and neg. the of the actuator directly to the power source.
not really sure what u mean by “on the fly”? if anything I just want the actuator speed to be in relation to how fast I turn the pot.
also please keep in mind I need to be able to rotate the pot beyond the specified range without the actuator trying to move beyond it’s specified range.
excellent! i’m sold. i’ll post again the board arrives. thanks
what type ,if any, of control would I lose if I power the actuator directly from the power source but leave the wiper connected to the to the JRK?
hello, are you still with me
“Have you tried testing your actuator in your planned setup to see up to how much current is required? I’d recommend trying that to see exactly how much current the motor controller needs to handle.”
I wasm’t able to hook it up because the present issue (unable to connect the analog pot).
so this Jrk will give me control of direction, position and i’ll be able to set the ranges like we talked about before? does it allow user to adjust the response time of the actuator? does it come completely assembled? I don’t have the means to get into soldering, at least quality soldering? what about speed? I believe if I want speed and position control I’ll need a microcontroller, correct? if so can you recommend one? what about board protection? the board has no fuses. I wanna be sure, this will be the third board I’ve purchased to get this thing going and once it’s up and running i’ll need to buy another setup of everything. to make sure, this board will run independent of the computer after setup? looking at the setup section in the manual… I really have no clue what they are talking about. the configuration utility is set up for Windows XP, VISTA…i’m on 8.1. shouldn’t be a problem but not certain. the manual talks about duty cycles it sounds like the board shuts the actuator down when it determines the duty cycle. my use will never exceed the duty cvcle of the actuator, but it cannot just stop at any old time. sorry, I know it seems like i’m trying to change your mind or something. i’m just trying to get all my concerns answered before I buy another board.
have you considered the Pololu TReX 13A 6-16V Dual Motor Controller RB-Pol-33.
please look at the users manual section 3.a motor connection option 3 joint motor connection. can the actuator be connected like that? that allows for current draw up to 25A continuous. there is also firmware please look at the last 4 or 5 pages. it talks about the configurator. it looks like some code may be needed for a serial interface? would this setup offer all the control I want without all the code needed otherwise? if I need to add a microcontroller that’s fine. however, i’m not seeing a usb anywhere on the board so, not sure how to connect to computer.
or even the Pololu 24v23 5.5-40V, 23A Motor Controller RB-Pol-153. I believe this uses the same firmware as the board you suggested.
ok, I must be missing something with these boards.
wait a minute… i’m not seeing anything about feedback. its not possible to get around that is it?
after looking at the manuals the way I kinda understand it is if I use the Jrk I will need to get a microcontroller to use it. plus there is a lot of complicated things to setting it up. a bigger concern is that i’m unsure if the Jrk can supply enuff continuous current for the actuator. overall I think that using the I2C Converter might be the best way to go, as long as you are still able to assist me with any programming and connecting?? if you think the other way would be easier and more reliable and provide enuff current please say so. you know a lot more than I do.
it doesn’t look like its looking for a wiper voltage? obviously the pot range will go under the “input” tab. does the actuator go under the “feedback” or the “motor” tab?