Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello All,

I have a couple of linear actuators to use to open and close some vents at the top of my greenhouse. I know you can use a up/down toggle switch to open and close them. What I am interested in is a temperature controlled relay/solenoid/doo-flicky to automatically take the place of the switch. They are 12 volt. Any ideas?

Might be cheaper to just get a regular vent opener depending on the greenhouse vents but I'm not really certain about what you're looking for. The weight of the vent is important but the normal ones use wax that expands inside a cylinder and there is an adjustment screw to give you some control.

Double pole double throw relay with NO and NC contacts, ie 6 contacts. + and - from battery/DC power supply to middle pair of contacts, reverse motor wires on one set of end contacts relative to the other, both pairs go to the actuator, so that motor turns opposite direction depending on whether or not relay is activated
Put the thermostat in series with the battery and the relay coil.

Bob's yer uncle.

If you want to use an Arduino, you can connect your actuator to a relay which is triggered by an ambient air temp sensor.