555 circuit to open and close curtains

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  • Thread starter James125
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In summary, the 555 circuit is not very accurate so a plug in wall style timer is needed to activate at 5:45am and 9:45pm. The problem is how to close the curtains. One option is to include a memory that can hold its value for a day or to include a sensor to detect the current curtain status. Another option is to power it from 6 am to 10 pm, so you can use "power off" as a signal, store enough energy in capacitors to close the curtains, or power it in some other scheme in such a way that the circuit can distinguish between those cases.
  • #1
James125
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Homework Statement



I want to make a 555 circuit open and close some curtains. It has to open them at 6am and close them at 10pm

Homework Equations



N/A

The Attempt at a Solution



555 circuits are not very accurate for long periods of time, so the solution is to use a plug in wall style timer that activates at 5:45am and again at 9:45pm.

When the wall timer activates the circuit is initialised it is a monostable circuit so it will turn on the motor for a few seconds, this can be varied with varying capacitors and resistors.

The only problem is how to close the curtains as the next signal needs to be the reverse voltage ie - instead of + I'm not sure how to do this part.
 
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  • #2
Options I see:
- include some memory that can hold its value for a day
- include a sensor to detect the current curtain status
- power it from 6 am to 10 pm, so you can use "power off" as a signal, store enough energy in capacitors to close the curtains
- power it in some other scheme in such a way that the circuit can distinguish between those cases

Reversing outputs is not so hard if you have some way to find out when to do that.
 
  • #3
James125 said:
555 circuits are not very accurate for long periods of time, so the solution is to use a plug in wall style timer that activates at 5:45am and again at 9:45pm.

When the wall timer activates the circuit is initialised it is a monostable circuit so it will turn on the motor for a few seconds, this can be varied with varying capacitors and resistors.

The only problem is how to close the curtains as the next signal needs to be the reverse voltage ie - instead of + I'm not sure how to do this part.
You could position a small phototransistor to focus on some part of the timer readout to detect whether its reflectance corresponds to that measured when the character displayed is for AM, otherwise it's PM.
 

1. How does a 555 circuit open and close curtains?

A 555 timer is used to generate a square wave signal which is then used to control a motor or relay. This motor or relay is connected to the curtains and can open or close them based on the signal from the 555 circuit.

2. What components are needed to build a 555 circuit to open and close curtains?

The main components needed are a 555 timer chip, a power supply, a motor or relay, and some supporting components such as resistors and capacitors. You will also need a curtain rod and curtains that can be attached to the motor or relay.

3. Can a 555 circuit be used to automate the opening and closing of curtains?

Yes, a 555 circuit can be programmed to open and close curtains at specific times using a timer or other triggering mechanism. This can be useful for automating the curtains in a smart home or for security purposes.

4. Can a 555 circuit be controlled remotely to open and close curtains?

Yes, a 555 circuit can be connected to a remote control system such as a smartphone app or a remote control device. This allows you to open and close your curtains from a distance.

5. Are there any safety concerns when using a 555 circuit to open and close curtains?

As with any electrical circuit, there are potential safety concerns. It is important to follow proper wiring and grounding techniques to prevent electric shock. Additionally, make sure to use appropriate voltage levels and components to avoid damage to the circuit or potential fire hazards.

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