Thread: A New $35 Picaxe Controlled Prop Motor

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My newest Picaxe project was to figure out how to use an $8 Picaxe, controlled by a PIR sensor to run a 12V vent motor. With the help of Fritz_42 again, we came up with a easy, low cost solution. It involved using Fritz's VLC (Very Low Cost - http://www.ipprofessional.com.au/VLC...Controller.pdf) controller which runs less than $10 to build, a Parallax PIR for around $10, a $4 add on board, a $3.50 vent motor (they're still on sale until the 28th - http://www.goldmine-elec-products.co...m_medium=email )and a battery pack and a 12V power supply from the spare parts box. For under $35 even if you have to buy a cheap 12V power supply, you can have a triggered, fully adjustable prop motor and controller. I don't know how you can beat that bargain!
I know that many people are afraid to get into building their own electronics, but this is a great way to start. It does require some soldering but it's easy to learn.



I hope you give it a try. I have a layout diagram and the program code if anyone is interested.

Thanks for sharing. So you are able to control the duration of the cycle? Sounds like a handy little controller. Keith

Originally Posted by soundmankkc

Thanks for sharing. So you are able to control the duration of the cycle? Sounds like a handy little controller. Keith

Yes, the time the motor runs as well as the retrigger delay are fully adjustable by making a couple simple changes to the program. I currently have mine set so the motor runs for 20 seconds and then waits for 30 before it can be triggered again.
I currently have 5 of these controllers in use in my haunt now, all doing different things. It's a great controller and the price is right too!

Very nice! Could this circuit handle a wiper motor? You could use it to replace timer controllers for PIR-activated props. Good stuff, Steve.

Originally Posted by Otaku

Very nice! Could this circuit handle a wiper motor? You could use it to replace timer controllers for PIR-activated props. Good stuff, Steve.

The next step in the process is to make it run a wiper motor. I have to pull a wiper motor out of storage but I'll be working on that this weekend.
It is an easy way to solve the timer problem but the drawback is, if you want to change the time values, you can't just turn a knob. You have to change the code and download the new program. Simple to do but not as convenient.

Wow these are great! And for under $35 bucks as well! NICE! You guys always get me wanting to explore electronic hackables even more and more every time I see your threads! Talk about hack city! Love it all!!!

Thanks for sharing Hal & Otaku!

You've got five? What are you using them to animate?

Originally Posted by JeffHaas

You've got five? What are you using them to animate?

I use one for my butler to control the servos for his 3 axis motion.
One for my skeleton fish that uses a micro servo to give him movement.
The bluckie in my dungeon cell has a servo installed in his neck and a Picaxe controls the back and forth movement.
A picaxe is controlling a micro servo that pushes the button on my DVD remote to start my Madame Leota.
This arrangement with the vent motor will be used to turn on and off the hands on my restless tombstone.
This easy to build and inexpensive controller can be utilized in so many different ways. I'll be soldering up number 6 this weekend and coming up with another use for it.

With regard to wiper motors - I'm thinking you might need something like a Parallax HB-25 between the board and the motor. Those wiper motors can pull an awful lot of ampage under load. You could hook a separate, strong power supply to the HB-25 for the motor to use that would be independent of the picaxe board.

I'd be interested in seeing your code! Could the board handle code that would ramp a motor up and down and then reverse?

Thanks for the info. I'm looking at giving these a try and need a simple version to start with. I currently just let mine run non-stop.