I want to make a controller that can trigger a linear actuator. The actuator needs about a .2 second pulse. 12 vdc pulse to extend and -12 vdc to retract.
I would like to have the controller repeat the cycle as long as it has power and to reset and start over when power is applied.
positive pulse then wait a period of time then negative pulse and wait a different period of time repeat as long as power in applied. I would like the time periods to be adjustable from around one minute up to about an hour but the adjustment doesn't need to be very fine. (I can work out adjustments on a bread board before I lock in what ever is best or I could set up dip switches if I want to keep it adjustable.)
Anyway, that is essentially what I want to do. What should I be searching for when I go looking for plans, tutorials, schematics and such to do this? I've been trying to search but I don't know the best terms to use and therefore am spending days wading through totally unrelated links.
It is kinda like a repeat cycle timer but with the twist of needing to set a positive pulse then a negative pulse and the time periods will need to be different. Unfortunately, I don't have a pic programmer and don't want to spend a huge amount of money on this project.
Please aim me in the right general direction. I'm getting sick of needing to manually flip the switch up and down all the time. This would really like to be automated.
I would like to have the controller repeat the cycle as long as it has power and to reset and start over when power is applied.
positive pulse then wait a period of time then negative pulse and wait a different period of time repeat as long as power in applied. I would like the time periods to be adjustable from around one minute up to about an hour but the adjustment doesn't need to be very fine. (I can work out adjustments on a bread board before I lock in what ever is best or I could set up dip switches if I want to keep it adjustable.)
Anyway, that is essentially what I want to do. What should I be searching for when I go looking for plans, tutorials, schematics and such to do this? I've been trying to search but I don't know the best terms to use and therefore am spending days wading through totally unrelated links.
It is kinda like a repeat cycle timer but with the twist of needing to set a positive pulse then a negative pulse and the time periods will need to be different. Unfortunately, I don't have a pic programmer and don't want to spend a huge amount of money on this project.
Please aim me in the right general direction. I'm getting sick of needing to manually flip the switch up and down all the time. This would really like to be automated.