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dougsnash(at)yahoo.com
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 Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:09 pm Post subject: SPAL linear actuator and controller |
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Dino and all, the controller for my Spal linear
actuator arrived yesterday. As we discussed last
week, I tried disconnecting the position feedback
wiring to see what the actuator did. When the
feedback wiring is disconnected the actuator does not
move until told to do so. Once you press a preset
button the actuator moves in an unpredictable fashion.
Basically, it tries to find the location that you
requested but usually under or overshoots slightly. To
stop this movement all that is required is to press
the two buttons (either 1&2 or 2&3) to move the
actuator manually. The actuator then functions fine
in manual mode as it would with a basic DPDT switch.
Is this adequately stable for use? I haven't decided
yet. I think I will play with it in this failure mode
some more before the final decision is made.
Doug MacDonald
CH-701 Scratch Builder
NW Ontario, Canada
------------------------------------------------------
Again, good points Dino. I'll have to play with the
controller once it arrives and make sure I'm not going
to induce a safety issue.
Doug MacDonald
CH-701 Scratch Builder
NW Ontario , Canada
do no archive
--- Dino Bortolin <dbortol(at)gmail.com> wrote:
Quote:
You could do that, and if you catch a runaway in
time, you can stop if from
going any further. But you wouldn't be able to bring
it back, unless you put
in another switch to override the controller. At
which point, I think it has
turned the elegantly simple into the overly complex.
But, that's the beauty
of homebuilts - everyone is free to make it any way
that suits them. I still
like a DPDT toggle switch...
Dino Bortolin
On 4/3/07, MacDonald Doug <dougsnash(at)yahoo.com>
wrote:
| Quote: |
<dougsnash(at)yahoo.com>
|
| Quote: |
Another solution to the position problem would be
to
|
| Quote: | install a switch in the power output to the motor
that
|
| Quote: | would be used as a system enable. That way if the
controller did get scrambled, it would be unable
to
|
| Quote: | output to the motor. Simply flip the switch on as
part of your downwind check.
Very good point Dino
Doug MacDonald
|
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dbortol
Joined: 02 Sep 2006
Posts: 46
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| Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:45 pm Post subject: SPAL linear actuator and controller |
|
|
I'm surprised that it is able to get anywhere close to the requested
position with the feedback completely disconnected. Does it go to one
end of the travel first and then to the requested spot? If so, then it
is probably calculating the time to travel from one end to the target
spot. The motor speed will vary with voltage and load, so the
positioning wouldn't be very accurate.
What happens if only one of the feedback lines is open circuit?
Dino Bortolin
On 4/11/07, MacDonald Doug <dougsnash(at)yahoo.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
Dino and all, the controller for my Spal linear
actuator arrived yesterday. As we discussed last
week, I tried disconnecting the position feedback
wiring to see what the actuator did. When the
feedback wiring is disconnected the actuator does not
move until told to do so. Once you press a preset
button the actuator moves in an unpredictable fashion.
Basically, it tries to find the location that you
requested but usually under or overshoots slightly. To
stop this movement all that is required is to press
the two buttons (either 1&2 or 2&3) to move the
actuator manually. The actuator then functions fine
in manual mode as it would with a basic DPDT switch.
Is this adequately stable for use? I haven't decided
yet. I think I will play with it in this failure mode
some more before the final decision is made.
Doug MacDonald
CH-701 Scratch Builder
NW Ontario, Canada
------------------------------------------------------
Again, good points Dino. I'll have to play with the
controller once it arrives and make sure I'm not going
to induce a safety issue.
Doug MacDonald
CH-701 Scratch Builder
NW Ontario , Canada
do no archive
--- Dino Bortolin <dbortol(at)gmail.com> wrote:
Quote:
You could do that, and if you catch a runaway in
time, you can stop if from
going any further. But you wouldn't be able to bring
it back, unless you put
in another switch to override the controller. At
which point, I think it has
turned the elegantly simple into the overly complex.
But, that's the beauty
of homebuilts - everyone is free to make it any way
that suits them. I still
like a DPDT toggle switch...
Dino Bortolin
On 4/3/07, MacDonald Doug <dougsnash(at)yahoo.com>
wrote:
>
>
<dougsnash(at)yahoo.com>
>
> Another solution to the position problem would be
to
> install a switch in the power output to the motor
that
> would be used as a system enable. That way if the
> controller did get scrambled, it would be unable
to
> output to the motor. Simply flip the switch on as
> part of your downwind check.
>
> Very good point Dino
>
> Doug MacDonald
>
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