- #1
RNagy
- 4
- 0
Hello I have a project in the works that requires a DC motor to turn a somewhat heavy (but with good bearings) gear assembly. The whole thing will be running off of a common computer power supply at 12V. I haven't selected the motor just yet but am leaning toward maybe an old cordless power drill motor or something similar.
My question is this: Is there any easy way to make the motor reverse direction at random intervals on its own from time to time? The gear assembly is a little heavy so I imagine I'd have to include some small wind-down interval between the direction changes so I don't jar the gears or cause undue stress on the system. I may need to experiment a little before I decide whether to run the motors directly from the power supply or whether I will need a PWM to dial-in the proper motor speed so maybe you could split the answers into 2 different avenues- direct vs PWM'ed. I have a pretty good working knowledge of wiring and some basic electronics but things like programming microprocessors are a little over my head. Does anyone have a K.I.S.S. solution like the inclusion of some commonly available retail device that can be repurposed or something like that? If not that, then maybe I need some relays hooked to a 555 timer?
Thanks in advance for your help. Even if we don't come up with a working solution, I hope this is at least a fun exercise in problem-solving.
Thanks!
-R
My question is this: Is there any easy way to make the motor reverse direction at random intervals on its own from time to time? The gear assembly is a little heavy so I imagine I'd have to include some small wind-down interval between the direction changes so I don't jar the gears or cause undue stress on the system. I may need to experiment a little before I decide whether to run the motors directly from the power supply or whether I will need a PWM to dial-in the proper motor speed so maybe you could split the answers into 2 different avenues- direct vs PWM'ed. I have a pretty good working knowledge of wiring and some basic electronics but things like programming microprocessors are a little over my head. Does anyone have a K.I.S.S. solution like the inclusion of some commonly available retail device that can be repurposed or something like that? If not that, then maybe I need some relays hooked to a 555 timer?
Thanks in advance for your help. Even if we don't come up with a working solution, I hope this is at least a fun exercise in problem-solving.
Thanks!
-R