Simple control of a linear actuator

I'm a software guy. This means that hardware is a mystery to me.

I'm also unable to do something things comfortably because of my OCD. Opening and closing particular cabinets is one of them.

I want to use a linear actuator from  http://www.firgelli.com/ to push a cabinet door open, and then close the cabinet door. It isn't a heavy door by any means, and I can get away with a 4-6 inch travel actuator. The actuator would be fastened on the inside of the cabinet and to the door.

So, I need to use an Arduino or something to do the following using a single button (I have a button I can put on the floor to use with my foot)

1. Push 1: apply 12 volts DC to the actuator (open the actuator)
2. Push 2: turn voltage off
3. Push 3 apply 12 volts DC to the actuator, but with the positive and negative poles flipped (close the actuator)]

Once a button is in state 1 or 3, it will continue until the built in limit switch is tripped, and that will turn off the circuit (the actuator has a limiting switch).

I have no idea where to start.

Update

A number of people have, helpfully, pointed me to DPDT switches. These are what the manufacturer suggests using on their site for simplicity. However, that isn't what I need as a solution. They simply aren't big enough to be used with one's foot.

I have a large foot switch that came with a keyboard. This is what I'm looking for to use. I do appreciate the DPDT suggestions, but it just isn't what is needed in this case.

Using an iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch as a remote control (infrared devices)

I've always thought that, with an IR port, the iOS devices would make awesome remote controls.

• They have a far more customizable interface (with the proper software) than the Harmony devices.
• Many people have them handy while watching TV.
• iPod Touch is cost competitive with many mid-level remotes like the Harmony-One.
• They could easily compete with the much more expensive Creston type devices.

But the only solution I'd ever found required a case and I didn't like that.

But last week I lamented about this on Twitter and someone pointed me to www.l5remote.com. The L5 software is free from the (app store) and you can play with the app before you buy the device. Best of all, the device is tiny and plugs into the accessory port. The app is upside down, so it just works. And you can customize the functionality, including macros (and the macro support is very cool). Here is a picture I copied from their marketing information.

You can see how tiny the device is and it costs $50. It's a learning remote, so you need to have the remote in order to program it.

If there is a shortcoming, it's the application artwork. This is the single place where I would love to see significant progress. You can't add your own art. That's a major shortcoming, as I'd like to add shortcuts to things like CBS, Comedy Central, etc.. and use their logos for the images. Plus just being able to add additional graphics in general would be useful.

Now, there is room for improvement and they even state that on their web site. I'd like to see

• Better icons and the ability to add my own icons (perhaps through the media browser and iPhoto?)
• Better images in general. They don't need to look like buttons. I'm cool with these not looking like buttons.
• The ability to save/sync the settings to another device (I'd have two in the living room, mine and then the family one)
• Better alignment aids for buttons, including centering between devices and snapping to a grid.
• Ability to download codes

But overall, these are all addressable issues through software. And the device is upgradable through firmware through the device! How cool is that.

It works with the iPad as well as the smaller devices and I hope when they upgrade their graphics for the iPhone 4 they use the same graphics on the iPad. I can 2x it on the iPad and it works, but it's not what I"m comfortable with.

If you're interested, download the software, play with it, then order the device (which BTW came first class priority mail, and arrived in 4 days!). 

Now I have to figure out how to make my Samsung TV automatically pick a source (vs toggling through them) so I can have a macro that goes to the TV and selects CBS.

Home Automation - Indigo Experience

In my continuing search for a home automation solution, Jerry Shields sent this message along, and I wanted (with permission) to pass it along. My buddy David Herren also strongly endorsed Indigo, although he's still X10 bound.

Anyway, from Jerry

I have a house with about 200 Insteon devices all being run by Indigo. It is a great package.

Most linking of Insteon devices can be done within Indigo without touching the device. A few devices don't support that, but most do.

I have lots of sensors (contact closure and motion), switches (dimmers and relays) and other various devices such as a thermostat, etc.

It is available as a demo that you can use before you actually buy it, but I would predict that once you try it you will buy it. 

It is very flexible and since it uses AppleScript for fancy automation, it's VERY flexible. You can do a lot without AppleScript, but there's nothing like being able to write some scripts to adapt to your lifestyle.

Perceptive's support have been top notch too.

Home Automation with Insteon

One of my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder issues is light switches. So I’ve been making heavy issue of remote home automation issues for years. In the last few years, I’ve dropped X10 and moved to Smarthome’s Insteon system. 

Compared to X10, Insteon is a dream. It works fairly well, pretty reliable, and a modern system. Plus the in-wall units look really good.

But (by default) to program switches with lights, you have to hold down switches, then run to another switch and press it, and then back and forth. It’s hard to get right, and in some cases I’ve never gotten right. Plus, it requires hitting light switches, rather than the controllers I have tucked away (including my iPhone).

I recently added the device they have that connects Insteon to an ethernet network. It displays a web interface, limited likely by the device limitations itself). But, while I can turn on and off light switches and such with my phone, I still need to run around and hit switches (shudder) to set it up. This makes no sense because each device has an ID that is similar to a MAC address. Why I can’t just enter these is a mystery.

Automating the Automation

I’ve been looking at solutions that allow you to do the scene creation (programming switches) without the undependable clicking and running method. Also, the ability to backup the setup in the case of loss would be great.

Smarthome sells a PC package that will do that would do what I want, but I don’t own a PC, or a copy of Windows. And, I think, you need a dedicated PC.

Perceptive Automation has a package called Indigo Pro that seems like it would do the same thing. I’ve had trouble groking their website. If you have experience with the product, I’d love some feedback. But this would also require a Mac that is on all the time, at least for some features. But it’s a native Mac package, and supporting one of our own would be awesome.

Smarthome also sells the ISY-99i Home Automation Controller. This seems to be a unit that does what both, through a web interface, but effectively acts as the computer as well as the controller. The UI seems very basic, whereas both the others are applications.

Why Bring This Up?

I’d like to hear from people who are using Indigo Pro, and the ISY-99i for creating scenes, and linking switches with plugs. My criteria is:

• Dead simple to link a switch to a LampLinc or related plugin item
• Dead simple to backup the network settings
• No running from switch to control
• Definitely needs iPhone integration

I already have the Insteon 2414u controller. So hooking up to the machine is simple. I know Indigo has a trial version, but I’m still looking for opinions.

So, hit me up on Twitter (@sanguish) or via the contact page.

Quick Followup

I sent a query to Perceptive Automation about some features of their product (I'm not ready to summarize the issues yet).

I got a detailed response about their product the next day (Thanksgiving in the US). That was an absolutely excellent response in my opinion.