circuit wiring question

Pencil

Joined Dec 8, 2009
272
Can you describe what you are trying to do?

Starting with a description of what is needed to be
accomplished will determine what components are
needed.

I'll start with some questions:

What components for this system do you already have?

What is the current requirements of the pump motor?

Does the pump need to run for a known fixed time, or does
the time need to be adjusted?
 

Thread Starter

alexfloyd21

Joined Jan 28, 2012
9
I'll start with some questions:

What components for this system do you already have? I have a breadboard, wires, resistors, potentiometers, and pump

What is the current requirements of the pump motor? <380mA

Does the pump need to run for a known fixed time, or does
the time need to be adjusted? It will need to be adjusted

Thanks for helping!
 

Pencil

Joined Dec 8, 2009
272
What other components might you have access to?

I haven't a clear picture of the overall goal, but with the
limited description so far, probably going to need: 555 timer(s),
comparator(s) or opamp(s), and transistors, capacitors, etc. in addition
to the switch and potientiometer(s).
 

Thread Starter

alexfloyd21

Joined Jan 28, 2012
9
I apologize for not being clear.

I have an air bladder that I need to inflate. (I don't know the exact amount of time needed to inflate it, so I'll need to be able to adjust the amount of time that the pump is on.)

When the circuit is powered, I was wanting to use the potentiometer as a switch. When it is turned to a certain point, the pump will be turned on. (this will be more or less a simulation, so the set point can be set to any particular value)

I know this is probably something elementary, but I'm brand new to circuits, so I need to know how to wire and program it. (I'm a visual learner so a diagram would be great.) Thanks!
 

Pencil

Joined Dec 8, 2009
272
I apologize for not being clear.
No need to apologize. When confronted with a problem, the
information needed to get an answer is not always known at the
beginning of the process.

(I don't know the exact amount of time needed to inflate it, so I'll need to be able to adjust the amount of time that the pump is on.)
What is the approximate range of time needed for the pump to run?

When the circuit is powered, I was wanting to use the potentiometer as a switch. When it is turned to a certain point, the pump will be turned on. (this will be more or less a simulation, so the set point can be set to any particular value)
How it is done will depend on what components you have access to.

To get started, look for (GOOGLE) "555 Monostable". Building the circuit
for the 555 monostable may take care of the pump timing part. Triggering
the monostable from the potentiometer will be the second part to tackle.
The complexity of the end product can vary, depending on the details
of operation you wish to implement.

I know this is probably something elementary, but I'm brand new to circuits, so I need to know how to wire and program it. (I'm a visual learner so a diagram would be great.) Thanks!
The details will determine whether it is elementary or not.

Keep asking/answering questions, you've come to the right place for help.
 

BillB3857

Joined Feb 28, 2009
2,570
Is the end goal to keep the air bladder inflated between two levels? Can the potentiometer be mechanically connected to indicate the level of inflation i.e. slider pot?
 
Top