Need some maybe complicated ? electrical help for my van build

Bart

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Boxer L4H2 van build
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So in our van build i have made and installed an electric drop down bed powered by a 12V 60 rpm 100W worm motor , which turns a shaft.
this is controlled by a 12V 15A 3 Pin Up Down On/ Momentary Toggle Switch , with a 12v Reversing Solenoid.
Now this setup works perfectly manually , but i want to make it so that when the bed is at its highest point that the power to the motor will be automatically stopped even if the toggle switch is still pressed in the upwards position, same goes for when the bed is at its lowest position and the switch is pressed downwards.
So what do i need is it reed switches connected to a relay or relays ? or what way would be my best way to get this sorted the way i want.

TLDR i want my bed to auto stop at its end points just like and electric roller door would.
 
The limit switches would be used to cut the signals from the switch, so they don't need to be capable of carrying the full current.
 
This video might help to get your head around how you would set up using limit switches at each end of your beds travel.


Super informative , just what i want to achieve :) , now to just source the correct rated limit switches in the UK. which is where i get confused as the power ratings are in 240V and not 12v
The limit switches would be used to cut the signals from the switch, so they don't need to be capable of carrying the full current.
This is where i get lost as when i look at the wiring diagram from the video linked above , does it now show the positive feed going through both limit switches , then onto the motor , with the negative going from the switch to the motor. or am i reading the diagram wrong?
would this not be the full current going through the limit switches on its way to power the motor?
also what do the diodes do? Thanks :)
2 limit switches.png

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Super informative , just what i want to achieve :) , now to just source the correct rated limit switches in the UK. which is where i get confused as the power ratings are in 240V and not 12v

This is where i get lost as when i look at the wiring diagram from the video linked above , does it now show the positive feed going through both limit switches , then onto the motor , with the negative going from the switch to the motor. or am i reading the diagram wrong?
would this not be the full current going through the limit switches on its way to power the motor?
also what do the diodes do? Thanks :)
View attachment 692347
That's a bit of a shite diagram (as usual🙄) fag packet ones are always better...

20221129_142115.jpg


The controller works by reversing the polarity to reverse the actuator. Above diagram shows the actuator in the middle of its range with both limit switches closed and both directions working normally.

20221129_142035.jpg

Above diagram shows one limit switch open but the current can still flow round in 1 direction (the direction away from the open limit switch)
 
This is where i get lost as when i look at the wiring diagram from the video linked above ,

Please show a diagram of how it's wired at the moment, or at the least, details of your reversing solenoid.

EDIT: Is it like this?

Actuator.jpg


The bottom bit is what needs to change to incorporate limit switches. They then only need to be switching current capable, not the full actuator current.
 
Last edited:
That's a bit of a shite diagram (as usual🙄) fag packet ones are always better...

View attachment 692389

The controller works by reversing the polarity to reverse the actuator. Above diagram shows the actuator in the middle of its range with both limit switches closed and both directions working normally.

View attachment 692390
Above diagram shows one limit switch open but the current can still flow round in 1 direction (the direction away from the open limit switch)
Super diagram and easy to understand the wiring ,, i just have 1 question what does the thing that looks like a "pause button" on a fire stick remote at the limit switches indicate ?
Have you got a diagram?
yes below is the wiring for the solenoid that i am using atm , with just a toggle up ,down switch, i also have a DPDT momentary switch that i am thinking on using instead of the solenoid and toggle switch , would there be any advantage / disadvantage if i did this , apart from saving space by not using the solenoid, or is it more complicated than that and i should stick with the toggle switch and solenoid ?

Please show a diagram of how it's wired at the moment, or at the least, details of your reversing solenoid.

EDIT: Is it like this?

View attachment 692403

The bottom bit is what needs to change to incorporate limit switches. They then only need to be switching current capable, not the full actuator current.
 

Attachments

  • Bed Solenoid wiring.png
    Bed Solenoid wiring.png
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This video might help to get your head around how you would set up using limit switches at each end of your beds travel.


Thanks i learned a bit from watching some of their other video's as well :)

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what does the thing that looks like a "pause button" on a fire stick remote at the limit switches indicate ?
That's the diodes. They only let current flow in the direction of the arrow 👌

When one of the limit switches open at the end of the movement, the current can then only flow in the opposite direction via diode.
 
below is the wiring for the solenoid that i am using atm , with just a toggle up ,down switch, i also have a DPDT momentary switch that i am thinking on using instead of the solenoid and toggle switch , would there be any advantage / disadvantage if i did this , apart from saving space by not using the solenoid, or is it more complicated than that and i should stick with the toggle switch and solenoid ?
If you don't use the solenoid the DPDT switch will have to take the full actuator current and may overheat.
Wire the limit switches in like on St3v3s diagram 👍
 
If you don't use the solenoid the DPDT switch will have to take the full actuator current and may overheat.
Wire the limit switches in like on St3v3s diagram 👍
sounds good , ill stick with using the toggle switch and the Solenoid, does it matter what limit switch i buy ( i mean the rating ) and anyone got an links for suitable limit switches that i can buy in the UK.
The motor is a 12v 60 rpm 100w
 
sounds good , ill stick with using the toggle switch and the Solenoid, does it matter what limit switch i buy ( i mean the rating ) and anyone got an links for suitable limit switches that i can buy in the UK.
The motor is a 12v 60 rpm 100w

Your motor at 100 watts will pull 8 amps, these are rated at 16 amps.

 
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Your motor at 100 watts will pull 8 amps, these are rated at 16 amps.

Thanks , wasn't sure what to order :) , i'll order two of these and try them , do i need di odes as well if so what sort do you know. thanks

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Your motor at 100 watts will pull 8 amps, these are rated at 16 amps.

No look at post 8. If wired like this they won't need to switch the full current.
 
This site contains affiliate links for which MHF may be compensated.
The switches you buy will depend on physical size and whether they need a long arm or wheel etc etc.
 
The switches you buy will depend on physical size and whether they need a long arm or wheel etc etc.
Thanks :) ive ordered the long lever ones , with my thought being i could shorted them if needed with a small Dremel cutting disc ,

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Your motor at 100 watts will pull 8 amps, these are rated at 16 amps.


They are 16A at 250V AC.

And less than 6A at 13V DC. So, not suitable for direct wiring.

They would work if installed in the signal wires as my diagram.
 
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They are 16A at 250V AC.

And less than 6A at 13V DC. So, not suitable for direct wiring.

They would work if installed in the signal wires as my diagram.
Hi St3v3 thanks for the diagram, i think i understand the diagram , just a couple question please.
1. does the part of the diagram with the 2 limit switches go where i point the red arrow to in the pic, e.g toggle switch >>> limit switches >>>solenoid >>>> worm motor
2. is the "on" in the limit switch diagram a typo , should it be down , as in up & down or is up and on correct ?
Thanks :)
Actuator.jpg
 
Hi St3v3 thanks for the diagram, i think i understand the diagram , just a couple question please.
1. does the part of the diagram with the 2 limit switches go where i point the red arrow to in the pic, e.g toggle switch >>> limit switches >>>solenoid >>>> worm motor
2. is the "on" in the limit switch diagram a typo , should it be down , as in up & down or is up and on correct ?
Thanks :)
View attachment 692865
1, Yes.
2, it's DN, so yes, Down.

👍
 
1, Yes.
2, it's DN, so yes, Down.

👍
Thanks for the fast reply , seems straight forward now its explained,, that is until the actual limit switches arrive and i go to install them lol :)
cheers :)
 
Thanks for the fast reply , seems straight forward now its explained,, that is until the actual limit switches arrive and i go to install them lol :)
cheers :)
Just be sure to use the normally closed connection and you'll be fine.

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