I am really interested in the possibility for the Harvst Watermate control unit has to connect an automatic door opener to my small balcony greenhouse ( 100cm tall x 42cm deep x 78cm wide ). I would like to open the two front doors and maybe as well the top on warmer days. Maybe a fan too? Could you guide me on how this could become a reality?
Hi Michael
Do you have a door opener mechanism in mind? If it's 12V it would power directly off the Watermate, if it's 240V it's still possible but will be a bit more technical.
Chris
Thank you very much for your reply. Not any specific mechanism in mind. There are various automatic window openers that open a window with a chain or there are linear actuators with 12V.
Would it mean I could turn on and off ( open and close ) the mechanism via the Harvst control unit?
In theory that looks OK, in some respects:
- The 12V / 2.5A power consumption is OK.
- It has a limit switch to stop the motor when it reaches full extension ( so you could run the control from the Harvst box for 30 seconds, say )
However I can't see a way for you to then close it again, I assume the current to the motor would need to be reversed, which would need a motor driver circuit.
Hi Michael
If you feel capable of taking something like that on, go for it. The Harvst control unit provides 12v power when the output is on, and nothing when the output is off. There is no "reverse". It's up to you what you would like to do with it, subject to the maximum current drain.
Chris
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I am really interested in the possibility for the Harvst Watermate control unit has to connect an automatic door opener to my small balcony greenhouse ( 100cm tall x 42cm deep x 78cm wide ). I would like to open the two front doors and maybe as well the top on warmer days. Maybe a fan too? Could you guide me on how this could become a reality?
Many thanks
Michael
Do you have a door opener mechanism in mind? If it's 12V it would power directly off the Watermate, if it's 240V it's still possible but will be a bit more technical.
Chris
Thank you very much for your reply. Not any specific mechanism in mind. There are various automatic window openers that open a window with a chain or there are linear actuators with 12V.
Would it mean I could turn on and off ( open and close ) the mechanism via the Harvst control unit?
I am thinking of a door actuator like this one.
link
I would need ideally 3-4 actuators connected to the Harvst control unit
Thanks and best regards
Michael
In theory that looks OK, in some respects:
- The 12V / 2.5A power consumption is OK.
- It has a limit switch to stop the motor when it reaches full extension ( so you could run the control from the Harvst box for 30 seconds, say )
However I can't see a way for you to then close it again, I assume the current to the motor would need to be reversed, which would need a motor driver circuit.
Chris
Thank you for your reply and expertise. Perhaps something similar to this would work?link
Kind regards,
Michael
If you feel capable of taking something like that on, go for it. The Harvst control unit provides 12v power when the output is on, and nothing when the output is off. There is no "reverse". It's up to you what you would like to do with it, subject to the maximum current drain.
Chris