New guy here with question -

Question

Hello, New member here. I am new to the Arduino and programming but I want to take on a project that includes my Chicken Coop. I have an inclosed Chicken Coop and a Chicken run, The coop has a small run inside of it but it's not large enough for 9 Chickens for a full day so I am wanting to create 2 auromatic doors but I need to ask a question. is it possible to run 2 separate motors that will not be running at the same time. Once door will open the interior coop door and the other motor will open the coop door to the chicken run so my chickens can roam. I have a 60w solar panel, controller and 12v marine battery. I have the arduino Uno, motor controller, Arduino clock and limit switches with a breadboard. The motor I want to use is a 12v DeWalt drill motor. If it's possible to run 2 separate motors, I will pick up the neccessary hardware and motor for the 2nd operation. Please let me know what you think. Thank you in advance.

rachaelp · Answer

Hi Neal, Welcome to the Element 14 forums, you should find it a very friendly place generally with lots of experienced people willing to help out I have a couple of questions, firstly what motor controller do you have? Is is similar to this one? http://www.robotshop.com/media/files/pdf2/shield-md10_user_s_manual_rev_2_-_google_docs.pdf If so that board will do 1 motor but you should be able to stack more than one if you change the PWM and Dir jumpers to use different digital pins on the Arduino. I've not actually used this board (or any motor board with Arduino) but from a quick look through the manual I think this should work. I don't know the specs of the exact DeWalt motor you have. The board I linked to above does 10A continuous or 15A peak. What are the specs of the motor you actually have and how does that compare with the specs of the exact motor driver board (if not the same as I linked above)? Best Regards, Rachael

nealbopper · Answer

Hello Rachael, I am at work right now but I will get the DeWalt 12v drill motor and look the specs up. The motor Controller is the typical Arduino controller: Qunqi L298N Motor Drive Controller Board Module Dual H Bridge DC Stepper For Arduino.

rachaelp · Answer

Hi Neal, Ok no problem, let us know what you find out about the motor. I think I found a link to the manual for a similar motor driver to the one you mention and it looks like it'll do two DC motors okay. My concern is the L298N is only rated for 2A continuous, 2.5A peak. So it'll depend very much on what your motors are rated at. Best Regards, Rachael

DAB · Answer

Hi Neal, You can test out your logic by first attaching LED's to your Arduino outputs. Basically, if you can get the LED's to light in the proper sequence, then you can control the motors just as easily. Then you can try the motors one at a time to make sure you have the correct timing and you can assess current draw. DAB

krappleby · Answer

I dont really have much experience as yet with the arduino, but im sure you can run any number of motors off it, using relays to control the motors on off function, with the many input / output terminals on the card..

1. using the motor you want to use, time how long it takes to open/close the suggested door.
2. set up the arduino so that it send a signal, for that length of time to a pin, which is connected to the relay

3. the relay switches for the number of seconds required. and activates the motor

4. door opens/closes.

nealbopper · Answer

Hello Rachael, I am looking at the DeWALT motor now. All's it says on the description panel is that it's a Motor and Pinion - ( 393111-04 ) model # is DW991 Type 2, 14.4 volts 0-450/0-1400rpm. I am sorry, I thought it was 12 volts. I am not sure this will work but it might have been used by someone. My motor controller is the L298N and I am using the Adurino Uno board. This was a motor I had in the garage that I wasn't using anymore. I just thought I could use it. Maybe not. I could look at the salvation Army for a 12v motor if someone thinks that would work better with what I have.

New guy here with question -

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