First time post but I've been a lurker for about a month. This forum has been so helpful in teaching me about electronics. It is such a rich resource that this is the first time I haven't found what I was looking for with a search. So thanks to all in advance.
Anyway, I have a 12V DC motor that turns a horizontal chain. I pull an object on the chain. I need that object to go in one direction, but not too far (limit switch), wait a while (555 timer), and then reverse (by toggling the DPDT switch). How can I do this using the simplest possible circuit?
I suppose I should further qualify what I need by explaining what isn't important to me. I don't need this to be very precise. So, for example, the timer could be set to travel in one direction for 30 seconds. But it could hit the limit switch after 20 seconds. So there could be an extra 10 seconds where nothing is happening. That's fine. In fact, if it is easier to plan my resting period this way I'd be happy with that too. My object travels at a uniform speed. So if I set the timer to go one way for 60 seconds, reverse, and repeat - that would be ok because I know my object will only take, say, 20 seconds to get to the other side.
I realize this means that at shorter intervals programmed into the 555 timer, my object may not make it to other side before it reverses. That's fine too because I'd rather fix that by adjusting the 555 timer.
Background:
My motor is positioned perpendicular to the floor and the object hangs on the lower side of a horizontal chain.
At first, I tried to attach another small object on the top side of the chain in order to bump a two position DPDT switch. I was hoping I could just trigger the switch this way and I would have an object that would constantly bounce back and forth. Not only did that not work, but I've realized that it's more desirable to introduce a timer into the system.
I read on an instructables comment that I can use a 555 timer to toggle a DPDT switch, but I haven't really found a good post/schematic explaining how to do it. However, there are some similar posts, particularly this one by Sgt Wookie.
I don't really understand how to specify the timing of a 555 switch, but I am familiar with the general idea and will learn about that later. For now, I'd like to get some help on how to implement the system described above.
Thanks again!
Anyway, I have a 12V DC motor that turns a horizontal chain. I pull an object on the chain. I need that object to go in one direction, but not too far (limit switch), wait a while (555 timer), and then reverse (by toggling the DPDT switch). How can I do this using the simplest possible circuit?
I suppose I should further qualify what I need by explaining what isn't important to me. I don't need this to be very precise. So, for example, the timer could be set to travel in one direction for 30 seconds. But it could hit the limit switch after 20 seconds. So there could be an extra 10 seconds where nothing is happening. That's fine. In fact, if it is easier to plan my resting period this way I'd be happy with that too. My object travels at a uniform speed. So if I set the timer to go one way for 60 seconds, reverse, and repeat - that would be ok because I know my object will only take, say, 20 seconds to get to the other side.
I realize this means that at shorter intervals programmed into the 555 timer, my object may not make it to other side before it reverses. That's fine too because I'd rather fix that by adjusting the 555 timer.
Background:
My motor is positioned perpendicular to the floor and the object hangs on the lower side of a horizontal chain.
At first, I tried to attach another small object on the top side of the chain in order to bump a two position DPDT switch. I was hoping I could just trigger the switch this way and I would have an object that would constantly bounce back and forth. Not only did that not work, but I've realized that it's more desirable to introduce a timer into the system.
I read on an instructables comment that I can use a 555 timer to toggle a DPDT switch, but I haven't really found a good post/schematic explaining how to do it. However, there are some similar posts, particularly this one by Sgt Wookie.
I don't really understand how to specify the timing of a 555 switch, but I am familiar with the general idea and will learn about that later. For now, I'd like to get some help on how to implement the system described above.
Thanks again!