TI Dome Rotation Motors and MaxDome II

Discussion in 'Forum and Web Site Issues' started by Mike Poitter, Mar 25, 2016.

  1. Mike Poitter

    Mike Poitter Cyanogen Customer

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    Howdy all:

    I've seen some mentions here and elsewhere about connecting the 12V motors that come with the TI dome rotation kit - something to do with how the motors are wired - that makes it impossible to directly connect them (the motors) to the MaxDome II board. I'm looking for suggestions to make it work as I've just ordered MaxDome II.

    Thanks!

    Mike Potter
    Baltimore, MD
     
  2. Gregg Ruppel

    Gregg Ruppel Cyanogen Customer

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    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
  3. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    In the installation I set up, we just used a 12V gel cell battery and attached a charger.
     
  4. Mike Poitter

    Mike Poitter Cyanogen Customer

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    Oct 20, 2014
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    Thanks Gregg and Doug:

    Gregg - I'd seen your write-up. The thing I don't get is how to isolate things properly. I don't understand why the TI-supplied automotive windshield wiper motors present a problem and also don't understand how to work around it.

    Doug - I'd always planned to use a battery+smart charger setup to power the motors. So how do I proceed from there? Is it as simple as using some external relays? Use the 12v leads from the MaxDome board to trigger the relays?

    Thanks again!

    Mike
     
  5. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    No you don't need anything external. A decent 12V battery and charger will run the dome directly.

    You just need to have enough capacity to handle the inrush current when the motors start up. Otherwise the input voltage will drop and the MaxDome card will reset.
     
  6. C. Weiss

    C. Weiss Standard User

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    Dec 14, 2016
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    Hi Doug- I'm glad I found this thread...my question is: can i use the maxdome 2 rotation card to run two motors as required for a TI prodome? I don't plan on using those windshield wiper motors, all I need is relays for my setup.
    Thanks
     
  7. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    Yes you can. The local astronomy club did exactly that in their dome.
     

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