Hi guys,
I found this device on a robotics page while looking for a way to automate my vertical blinds. I am hoping to control a device using ASCII commands over a serial or ethernet connection and it looked at first like the SSC-32 fit the bill. However, I noticed in the documentation that the limit is listed as 180 degrees. Now I am in denial.
Forgive my ignorance, but does the SSC-32 really have this severe limitation or can I have a servo turn a number of times and then move to a certain position? For example, would I be able to send a command to have the motor turn 1890 degrees?
Thanks for your patience and sorry if it’s a dumb question.
The limit is that most hobby servos can only physically rotate ~180 deg. You can get a sail winch servo that may be able to rotate ~3.5 rotations.
OK, Thanks for the info.
I’m quite disappointed. I couldn’t possibly set up gears, have good torque, keep a compact size and stay within my budget all at the same time. 
I guess I need to look at stepper motor control?
You might describe your blind setup in more detail. Below is a servo setup I made to open and close an inexpensive horozontal blind. The wood spool is larger than the blind shaft such that I got ~2 turns on the blind shaft from the 180deg turn on the servo.
http://web.comporium.net/~shb/pix/servoblind.jpg
http://web.comporium.net/~shb/pix/servoblind1.jpg
http://web.comporium.net/~shb/pix/servoblind2.jpg
http://web.comporium.net/~shb/pix/servoblind3.jpg
Thank you for going to the trouble of posting your pictures, and thanks for the help.
Basically, it’s your standard run-of-the-mill vertical blind that I am starting with. I can post pictures later this week, but I’m staying at my girlfriends place for a couple more days. The shaft requires approximately 20 turns or so to move the slats a full 180 degrees, if I recall correctly. I had a device hooked up to it that was remote controlled, but I fried the board while foolishly trying to modify it to see if it would take a little more voltage and work faster. Now it is just a knob at the end of the shaft that runs down the length of the blind.
Eventually I will want to set this up on other blinds as well so that I can automate all blinds in my home. I would also like to be able to install the system on other people’s blinds. I use an ELK security/automation system and an ISY 99i by universal devices to control Insteon devices and both of these can send ASCII over the network. I can set up an adapter to convert the serial board to a networked device and send it commands that way.
Ultimately I will be taking readings of the light levels in my home and outside and having the blinds adjust accordingly.