[amit87]

Hi, im an auto electrician. Fairly new to the trade. I am wiring a set of auto-folding mirrors.

The mirrors are wired up so when the ignition is on, they fold out, and when ignition off, they fold in.

Each case they will get constant 12v. Obviously the polarity will be reversed to operate the motor in reverse to fold the mirrors and then polarity changed again so that the motor unfolds. (using DPDT relay for this)

THE PROBLEM:
As the mirrors will be getting constant 12v 24/7, i need some sort of switch or something that cuts the current/voltage when the mirrors are fully folded and unfolded. What can i use?

Before there was something inside that use to click after few seconds when mirrors fully unfolded or folded. I used a multimeter in parralel to the test circuit and it droped when mirrors folding/unfolding and when fully extracted/retracted, after click the voltage went back up. The clicking has stoped, therefore i beleive something has gone bust.

Thanks

 

[amit87]

Also i would appriciate a link to a website of a product your talking about please. Thanks

 

[Speedy Petey]

This site is mainly construction related electric. Someone may be able to help, but this is not our forte.

 

[chollapete]

How about a link to the product *you're* talking about? Just saying'. There might even be a part number of a control module for these mirrors. Just sayin'.

 

[amit87]

lol nah, nothing to do with control modules. i made it abit complicated making it seem "automotive"

basically. Say i use an electric motor and after spining 90degrees clockwise or anti-clokwise, a mechanism stops it from turning any further.

But the problem is the motor will still be getting constant voltage, but the "stop" forcing the axis from spinning. This in turn could burn out the motor.

So i need something that stops the current/voltage when its at the 90degree point. asin something i could put inline between the motor and the power wires themselves.

Any ideas?! Thanks

 

[480sparky]

An ammeter would be required, as well as some sort of logic controller to interpret the motors' amp draw change as being at a physically stopped position. However, doing this will require the motor to be stopped, even momentarily.
Limit switches would be a better choice. They would physically open or close when the motor turns the mirror to a certain point. Problem here is location of them. Auto mirrors (I know, you 'say' this isn't automotive) don't have a lot of options for mounting extraneous control equipment.

I doubt you'll find some sort of magic bullet that you can simply install in the power wiring to mysteriously 'know' where the motors are, and therefore be able to control them.

 

[amit87]

ye i considered a limit switch but as you said, where would i mount it.

I wonder what was inside that made a click a few seconds after the mirrors were fully folded/unfolded. Even more i wonder why it doesnt anymore. It use to work a treat and the voltage would decrease when motor turning and when it cant turn no more, would hear click and voltage shoot back up again.

Thanks guys anyways

 

[480sparky]

If this is an existing system that no longer functions, why try to reinvent the wheel? Troubleshoot for a malfunction and replace parts accordingly.

 

[amit87]

Its a replica part. So its hard to trace manufacturer. Trying to take it apart is another thing too lol. attempted on numerous occaisions. Just thought there might be a device, like a "magic diode" or something lol

 

[randomkiller]

There is probably a regulator inside like the type used for a power window, as stated "why try and reinvent the wheel"? It needs to be opened up, where I'm sure the bad part will have some type of nomenclature on it.

 

[HighWirey]

Hi, im an auto electrician. Fairly new to the trade. I am wiring a set of auto-folding mirrors.

The mirrors are wired up so when the ignition is on, they fold out, and when ignition off, they fold in.
Thanks

As stated earlier in this post, this is not the forum for your question.

Rhetorical question here: what kind of an auto mechanical engineer would design something that operates every time the ignition was turned 'on'.?

Rethorical answer here: one that has an interest in his company's electric motor vendor, or in a dealership.

Bottom line is we all 'take it in the end' . . .

Work'in For That Free Tee . . .

 

[Mackie]

Seems to me the product should have everything you'd need to make it work right??? Is this some kind of Jerry-rigged thing?

 

[waco]

There is probably a regulator inside like the type used for a power window, as stated "why try and reinvent the wheel"? It needs to be opened up, where I'm sure the bad part will have some type of nomenclature on it.

I agree. Power windows use a cam driven by the motor armature which open contacts, constantly interrupting the current flow, but the inertia of the motor allows the contacts to close and current resumes until the mechanism stops and the contacts remain open.