Hi everyone...first post here.
My son and I are building a submersible ROV and I'm researching how to devise a simple motor control setup.
The ROV will be powered by a total of 3 12VDC motors that will draw up to 5amps each. Two motors mounted horizontally are used for forward/reverse and also for turning the vessel by alternately reversing direction on the motors. The third motor is mounted vertically and is for up/down only. 12V Power will be supplied from the surface via 100ft 12 or 14 gauge stranded wire. A 100ft CAT5 cable will also be brought down to the ROV for input to the relays from a control box where there will be a 9v battery.
I haven't nailed down exactly how the control box will be layed out or how I will perform input to the relays. I would like to use momentary on-off-on toggle switches if possible - one for left horizontal, one for right horizontal, and one for the vertical motor. Can these be used in conjunction with the relays? Better suggestion?
I've read from various sources that to achieve Forward/Reverse , I will need to use two DPDT's for each motor. Logically speaking, to move straight ahead both horizontal motors would be switched to 'forward', and to go straight backwards both would be switched to 'reverse'. For turning left, the right side motor would be switched to 'forward' and vise-versa for turning right.
My main question that I've been unable to find the answer for is, are there any other electrical components that will have to, or should be used on the ROV side of the circuit in conjunction with the relays. I'm not ready to dive into the world of using speed controllers, programmable interfaces, etc.
I'm sure that there are alot of gaps in my description of what I'm needing so please don't flame me too hard.
Thanks in advance,
Pcolaboy
My son and I are building a submersible ROV and I'm researching how to devise a simple motor control setup.
The ROV will be powered by a total of 3 12VDC motors that will draw up to 5amps each. Two motors mounted horizontally are used for forward/reverse and also for turning the vessel by alternately reversing direction on the motors. The third motor is mounted vertically and is for up/down only. 12V Power will be supplied from the surface via 100ft 12 or 14 gauge stranded wire. A 100ft CAT5 cable will also be brought down to the ROV for input to the relays from a control box where there will be a 9v battery.
I haven't nailed down exactly how the control box will be layed out or how I will perform input to the relays. I would like to use momentary on-off-on toggle switches if possible - one for left horizontal, one for right horizontal, and one for the vertical motor. Can these be used in conjunction with the relays? Better suggestion?
I've read from various sources that to achieve Forward/Reverse , I will need to use two DPDT's for each motor. Logically speaking, to move straight ahead both horizontal motors would be switched to 'forward', and to go straight backwards both would be switched to 'reverse'. For turning left, the right side motor would be switched to 'forward' and vise-versa for turning right.
My main question that I've been unable to find the answer for is, are there any other electrical components that will have to, or should be used on the ROV side of the circuit in conjunction with the relays. I'm not ready to dive into the world of using speed controllers, programmable interfaces, etc.
I'm sure that there are alot of gaps in my description of what I'm needing so please don't flame me too hard.
Thanks in advance,
Pcolaboy