Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

One good thing with the actuators is the current doesn't need to be constant

Okay to summarise

1) a laundry outlet to open/close off the water flow to each GB
2) Door lock pack - now have 4 actuators to control the flaps
3) rods from hobby shop to connect actuators to flaps
4) relays to handle current
5) Smart relay
6) 12vdc power pack for actuators (amperage again)

If no further mods then will get the stuff on monday and knock up a prototype (without the smart relay as yet)

actuator rated @ 100,000 operation
1 cycle/30 mins = 4 operations/hour = 25,000 ops/day = ~3 years, the bloody hinge on the flap will probably give out before then

Um, this thread has really confused me... what is it you are actually going to build Les?

Hi Jaymie, we are trying to build something that will do the job of a solenoid or ball valve, priced both and they are a little out of our/my price range.

It is a continuation of the idea of trying to flood GBs in sequence so that less water is required to be held in reserve (cheaply)

That's a quick summary - do you want a more fuller explanation of what I am trying to do, will get some bits shortly and put up a pic

no, thanks that's enough. I have absolutely no knowledge of solenoids and what they do. My brother is an electronics tinkerer. I leave stuff like that to him!
Enjoy your projects though!

that was easy Les..

I want a full and unabridged explanation les , you all lost me at the first post!!

uhoh!
this could be fun!

Les pick up the door lock actuators first, you'll probably find they come with an assortment of rods.

Goodonya Mon, here was I breathing a sigh of relief when Jaymie opted out and up jumps the all reliable Mon - give us a day or so and will put up pics to help (someone else might come up with a better idea in the meantime)

Steve - will check out the kit 1st

Hobby shops have got all that good stuff, like nylon bushes and spacers, the right sort of couplings to connect to the flap and they are pretty cheap, small packets of bolts and nuts so you don't end up having 20+ left scattered on the bench - real good stuff

Les, now that's not true We've seen pictures of your shed. I don't believe you would ever leave anything scattered on the bench! Not in that pretend shed of yours...

I expect we will all learn some thing!!
I figure by the time I've mucked around with my ponds again...
....and eventually get some fish in there..
.....the best AP system and parts list, configuration and online back up service with BYA, will be available not that the info currently isn't awesome just getting more awesome...
...so make it quick Les..hehehe
C1

Aw! come on guys - its all good fun til everyone picks on Les

Steve, have a look at this (open the Powerlock.PDF)*Power Door Lock*

The pdf has a cct diag of the power control relay (same one Jaycar has), the actuators require the voltage to be reversed to push/pull and use one shot circuitry to do this.

I think a power relay would need to be used with each actuator and a separate relay to earth (where the key mechanism is shown) whichever one shot needs to be activated, will get one from JC and test this theory

Les - Phd in "one shots" from RMIT, (believe at the time I was there, the Yarra was running clear) course memory fading a little now but do recall a man by the name of Batman strutting his stuff along the banks too)