DIY Thread - Let's see your "Inventions".

[coffeekittie]

There are so many awesome ideas in this thread! I will have to incorporate them as we build our coop.

This isn't really an invention, just an idea for a brooder. Its an old playpen we had from our first child. It worked out well. It was big enough for them to use one side to cool off if they got too hot under the lamp. They didn't use the lamp all that often being in Florida in the garage.

Nice. Big, clean area for the babies.

That wouldn't be awkward at all haha If you watch the curb side you will see a lot of them especially older cribs b/c of all he recalls.

Hehe, so true! How would you explain all the chicks in the equipment? I second what SD Bird Lady says, plus check on Craigslist, as zomg, you will find PLENTY of them (and other cool, invention-worthy stuff).

 

[ozexpat]

OK - for those who are not electrical braniacs - please skip this message


I am trying to design a turner for a cabinet style incubator using a linear actuator sold to raise and lower the trunk on a pimped out car.


I want a 12v linear actuator to travel 12 inches up then 2 hours later travel 12 inches down. The trick is, I want to do it with timers.

Correct me if I am wrong

A 2 wire linear actuator works by providing electrical current to the motor – and reversing the polarity reverses the direction.

I can stop the power to the actuator using limit switches. That way, it will only travel within the 12 inch part of its travel reach that I set.

Proposed plan

Use 2 mains (110/220v) electrical timers that will turn on for 2 minutes then off every 4 hours but have them set so they do so 2 hours apart.

Attached to the timers I will have 110/220v to 12v 10 amp transformers (the actuator draws 5 amps)

I will have the red wire from one transformer and the black wire from the other transformer connected to one of the two wires from the actuator. The other wire from the actuator will be attached to the other red and black wire from each transformer.

When the first timer turns on and sends current to the transformer, it will make the actuator raise its arm. The time required to travel the 12 inches is 1 min 30 seconds. The limit switch will disconnect the current when the actuator extends 12 inches. Aprox 30 seconds later, the current will cease flowing to the limit switch.

2 hours later, as the polarity is reversed with the wiring, the actuator arm will retract, be turned off by the lower limit switch and then the transformer will be turned off by the timer.

Sounds pretty simple right? But…..

Will the transformer not being used at the time be damaged by current traveling back into it?

And if so….

If I installed diodes in the circuits would that prevent it?

Finally

Would this work????

 

[krazykat0373]

Quote: Put some wire on the sides and the bottom and use it as a brooder....

OK - for those who are not electrical braniacs - please skip this message


I am trying to design a turner for a cabinet style incubator using a linear actuator sold to raise and lower the trunk on a pimped out car.


I want a 12v linear actuator to travel 12 inches up then 2 hours later travel 12 inches down. The trick is, I want to do it with timers.

Correct me if I am wrong

A 2 wire linear actuator works by providing electrical current to the motor – and reversing the polarity reverses the direction.

I can stop the power to the actuator using limit switches. That way, it will only travel within the 12 inch part of its travel reach that I set.

Proposed plan

Use 2 mains (110/220v) electrical timers that will turn on for 2 minutes then off every 4 hours but have them set so they do so 2 hours apart.

Attached to the timers I will have 110/220v to 12v 10 amp transformers (the actuator draws 5 amps)

I will have the red wire from one transformer and the black wire from the other transformer connected to one of the two wires from the actuator. The other wire from the actuator will be attached to the other red and black wire from each transformer.

When the first timer turns on and sends current to the transformer, it will make the actuator raise its arm. The time required to travel the 12 inches is 1 min 30 seconds. The limit switch will disconnect the current when the actuator extends 12 inches. Aprox 30 seconds later, the current will cease flowing to the limit switch.

2 hours later, as the polarity is reversed with the wiring, the actuator arm will retract, be turned off by the lower limit switch and then the transformer will be turned off by the timer.

Sounds pretty simple right? But…..

Will the transformer not being used at the time be damaged by current traveling back into it?

And if so….

If I installed diodes in the circuits would that prevent it?

Finally

Would this work????

wish my hubby was home, he is off in Wyoming workin on drilling rigs, he is an electrician of many years...if he isn't busy, I will post this for him and see what he says.

 

[Bens-Hens]

I think it would be a little more simple if you used the same single timer and a polarity reversing relay. With this the relay is powered by the timer for x time. At the end of time (set to same as travel) the relay opens, the next time it starts, the polarity is reversed so the actuator will go the other way.

Example would be to set it for 1:30 every two hours, would achieve the same result with half the capacity of switch failure.

I would need to draw the circuit out you described, but somehow I see a fault with the two circuits not being correctly earthed. I'm a mechanic though, not a sparky so the experienced tech may know a work around. I just see one switch being open or trying to power both switches at the same time.....I need a picture lol

What are you using to heat the 'bator? I recall you wanted some form of digital thermostat/controlled to make things easy for Bernie to manage while your away. If you are, can I have a link as that could solve all your problems depending on it's features.

 

[ozexpat]

I think it would be a little more simple if you used the same single timer and a polarity reversing relay. With this the relay is powered by the timer for x time. At the end of time (set to same as travel) the relay opens, the next time it starts, the polarity is reversed so the actuator will go the other way.

Example would be to set it for 1:30 every two hours, would achieve the same result with half the capacity of switch failure.

I would need to draw the circuit out you described, but somehow I see a fault with the two circuits not being correctly earthed. I'm a mechanic though, not a sparky so the experienced tech may know a work around. I just see one switch being open or trying to power both switches at the same time.....I need a picture lol

What are you using to heat the 'bator? I recall you wanted some form of digital thermostat/controlled to make things easy for Bernie to manage while your away. If you are, can I have a link as that could solve all your problems depending on it's features.

thats why I am here - i dont know whats out there - a polarity reversing relay seems like the plan. thanks Ben

This turner is a long term project - i want to basically see if I can build the bloody thing - electromechanics is so far out of my comfort zone, I want to have a crack at it.

The 240 egg bator I currently am in the Phils is heated by lights. I need something else - incandescant lights tend to be unreliable there. 220v makes it hard to buy here (I need my folks to bring a stash over from Oz nest time they come here). I am trialing using a small fan heater 250W output. I have a stc-1000 thermostat. also a mini dehimidifier controlled by a humidistat to lower humidity,

I am using a 800W ups wired to a marine battery as back up power for our brown outs

I am always open to suggestion

 

[Bens-Hens]

If you want to go away from bulbs, want something that is a set and forget AND something to look after thermostat + egg tuner duties, then I would look at something like this.

http://incubatorwarehouse.com/225-watt-cabinet-incukit.html Scroll down the page and it lists it's goodies and there is also a video that walks through the set up.

EDIT: Here is the updated video as the one on the page is the older version.


I am sure there are other models out there, but I have this ones little brother, and I can honestly say, once I was happy with it's set up it took so much stress out of parameters of hatching. Some say that's the fun part, but if you want this to be turned on and no worried about then something like this would be my pick.

Would still need something like that relay to make the actuator you have work, or you could look at picking up a rotary motor and set it up like that turner video I posted in your thread. If you did swap it, that actuator would not go to waste, you could use it on a timer for a sky light, air vent or pop door, very easy to set up on a three way switch for manual use off a car battery or solar panel.

Keen to see what other systems people may know of for a cabinet set up. Plenty of bright minds on here.

NOTE; Doogie Howser does appear in all their movies, very informative, even shows how to DIY a 'bator for about $20 using Dollar Store parts.

 

[ozexpat]

I think it would be a little more simple if you used the same single timer and a polarity reversing relay. With this the relay is powered by the timer for x time. At the end of time (set to same as travel) the relay opens, the next time it starts, the polarity is reversed so the actuator will go the other way.

Example would be to set it for 1:30 every two hours, would achieve the same result with half the capacity of switch failure.

I would need to draw the circuit out you described, but somehow I see a fault with the two circuits not being correctly earthed. I'm a mechanic though, not a sparky so the experienced tech may know a work around. I just see one switch being open or trying to power both switches at the same time.....I need a picture lol

What are you using to heat the 'bator? I recall you wanted some form of digital thermostat/controlled to make things easy for Bernie to manage while your away. If you are, can I have a link as that could solve all your problems depending on it's features.

just for my clarity
Does a polarity reversing relay automatically switch polarity each time it is energized by a single timer.
I am having trouble seeing them described that way

EDIT

So I have been driving myself crazy but I found a wiring diagram I think makes sense

when the relay is energized, the current into the coil from a timer will throw the polarity in one direction and when current is cut to the coil, the reverse polarity will take over.

this would require limit switches to turn off current to the linear actuator

is my thick skull getting it?

 

[ozexpat]

If you want to go away from bulbs, want something that is a set and forget AND something to look after thermostat + egg tuner duties, then I would look at something like this.

http://incubatorwarehouse.com/225-watt-cabinet-incukit.html Scroll down the page and it lists it's goodies and there is also a video that walks through the set up.

EDIT: Here is the updated video as the one on the page is the older version.



I am sure there are other models out there, but I have this ones little brother, and I can honestly say, once I was happy with it's set up it took so much stress out of parameters of hatching. Some say that's the fun part, but if you want this to be turned on and no worried about then something like this would be my pick.

Would still need something like that relay to make the actuator you have work, or you could look at picking up a rotary motor and set it up like that turner video I posted in your thread. If you did swap it, that actuator would not go to waste, you could use it on a timer for a sky light, air vent or pop door, very easy to set up on a three way switch for manual use off a car battery or solar panel.

Keen to see what other systems people may know of for a cabinet set up. Plenty of bright minds on here.

NOTE; Doogie Howser does appear in all their movies, very informative, even shows how to DIY a 'bator for about $20 using Dollar Store parts.

I have seen those devices on the incubator warehouse website. Initially I was only going to use styrobator turners and as everybody seemed to be using lights as a heat source I could not justify the expense. I have been using the STC-1000 as a thermostat here with great results and under 20 bucks its a dream.

The new heat source is a fan heater I picked up for 15 dollars, and is working great here. I will put those in my current Philippines bator.

For the future cabinet ( just a design at the moment), I may try the incukit. It seems easy.

While a round motor may be simpler, I am really trying to learn this stuff and am determined to get the linear actuator to do what I want. lol

 

[Justoldbobo]

I manage a auto parts store so I was wondering about actuators as well

 

[Bens-Hens]

just for my clarity
Does a polarity reversing relay automatically switch polarity each time it is energized by a single timer.
I am having trouble seeing them described that way

EDIT

So I have been driving myself crazy but I found a wiring diagram I think makes sense

when the relay is energized, the current into the coil from a timer will throw the polarity in one direction and when current is cut to the coil, the reverse polarity will take over.

this would require limit switches to turn off current to the linear actuator

is my thick skull getting it?

Yes mate, you have nailed it. Depends on how you want to control it, you could fire it for a period of time from a timer, or use limit switches to turn it off. Just depends how 'smart' your timer is.

Switches are simple devises though, you can get them from all kinds of places, fridges, car door (int lights) and so on. The tricky part with those is the re-start. A switch has power when closed and not when open, so the devise hit the switch, open circuit and devise has the power cut, but when you want it to move again the switch is still in the open position. I feel that the re-start will be the tricky part to overcome, certainly not impossible though. I will try have a think about it and do that drawing I was thinking about yesterday. That three position window switch you were thinking about might work as a 'on-off-on' deal, but I don't think it will change polarity. I need to look into that some more.

If you decide to look at the timer, given the stroke speed you may be able to do it cheaper than first thought. I picked up this unit from Bunning's to run a fan on and off in my still air. It is as fine as 1 minute (no seconds). If you have a 1 or 2 minute cycle, it could handle them easily, every day.

Features include,
7 day pre program,
20 setting per day (20 on and 20 off)
1 min accuracy
battery back up
and mains outlet
$13.90

http://www.bunnings.com.au/products_product_excalibur-7-day-mini-digital-timer_P7050097.aspx

You could set this to fire for 1 minute every 2 hours via a reversing relay. Without testing it, I would think that it would travel in one direction for a set time, then the other the next time the timer starts. Clean and easy. If you hunted about you might be able to get the same style plug in timer that can handle 30 second increments for a few bucks more.