Alright, I’ll start this by saying I’m an accountant and really know nothing about this stuff BUT I’m excellent at following directions. And I’m competitive so here goes …

I’m trying to replicate the scene from Home Alone where the sled toggles back and forth at the top of the stairs for a contest.

So my question is … what do I need (with links)? My goal is to have a mini sled (32” L x 18” inches W) slowly tilt back and forth automatically. From reading, I gather I need an actuator for this?

But what else? I’d prefer something as quiet as possible. And that once it extends, it then retracts automatically. A remote is a plus but not necessarily required if I have an on/off switch.

Thanks in advance for any guidance!!

 

I would look at using something like a surplus automotive wiper motor and mechanism, ran slowly it should be fairly quiet.
A source could be an auto wrecker if you have one close by.
No reversing switch required.

 

The simplest scheme will be a smaller (not big) low voltage gearmotor, which is a motor with a built on gear reduction section. Then either a cam or a crank to provide a conversion from rotary to linear motion. (no complicated electronics so far).

 

A contest? with whom? Why? What budget ? time? Appearance? hidden wires?
Floor ttachment, weight, forward restraint and vertical actuator type, RPM , and hidden hardware are all design issues.

Only concepts can be suggested with no budget and assumptions.

 

The simplest scheme will be a smaller (not big) low voltage gearmotor, which is a motor with a built on gear reduction section. Then either a cam or a crank to provide a conversion from rotary to linear motion. (no complicated electronics so far).

You just explained a wiper motor exactly??
(#2) !!

 

I would look at using something like a surplus automotive wiper motor and mechanism, ran slowly it should be fairly quiet.
A source could be an auto wrecker if you have one close by.
No reversing switch required.

I like the idea of a wiper motor, for sure and envision I can make that work pretty easily. Thanks so much for the suggestion. Plenty of junk yards around to pick up one to tinker with. Thanks so much, again!

 

An actual automotive wiper motor would be a pain to work with, from my experiences, because of the angles used for mounting them, and some of the control schemes used. A smaller power window motor with a crank added to the output gear would be simpler.
But really, the torque required will be a whole lot less. Many of the surplus vendors seem to sell smaller DC powered gear reduction motors that could be made to work.

 

Welcome to AAC.

First thought I had was a wiper motor. However, it may run too fast for the effect you want. In that case you would need to reduce the voltage to the motor, which will result in a slower teetering effect. But another suggestion has been made; window closure motors. But even they will run at unreasonably high rates. Getting a geared motor and building your own cam or crank may offer a better way of controlling the motion.

Two advantages I see: First, you can get something with a highly geared down rate to achieve a slow teeter. Second, making your own cam or crank will give you the option of just how much it teeters. I can only imagine you want it to teeter back and forth about an inch or maybe two inches. The wiper motor comes with a crank of about that length. And you can always replace that. But now you're doing some iron work. I do some iron work as well as wood work; not to mention electronics as a pastime - when I have time to pass.

With a geared motor you WILL have to make your own cam or crank. But they can easily be made of wood. Since we don't know anything about your skill levels with fabricating we have to leave that up to you. Even 3D printing can give you the cam you want. Provided you're not trying to teeter a lot of weight.

Finally, I'd like to reiterate an earlier statement @tonyStewart alluded to, that of safety. This teetering device needs to be secure so it doesn't teeter over and tumble down on some unsuspecting person who might be admiring your handiwork when it comes crashing down on them. Pets can be another surprise. I have cats, and they walk on everything (except dining table and kitchen counters, they've been well trained that those are places they are just not allowed). Something new for them to explore will certainly bring a cat's curiosity, and possibly calamity.

 

Considering that this is claimed to be some sort of competition, it is not reasonable to think that the "teetering" sled will actually be free to move away from the designed pivot point. So the safety warning would really be about solid enough construction to not fall apart .