karimwassef
Active member
Here's my updated DIY for a surge actuator. This is actually a very common circuit for reversible motors and actuators. It's very simple and runs directly off my Apex.
Apex
Two cables to connect Apex's V1/V2 & V3/V4 signals
A 5VDC power supply
A 12VDC power supply (~5A to drive 2 actuators)
An optically isolated relay board (4 relays)
The two actuators (+12VDC)
Wires to connect (with whatever connectors you feel comfortable)
Here's the simplified circuit to drive one actuator
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/00_zpsy7ylenhv.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/00_zpsy7ylenhv.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 00_zpsy7ylenhv.jpg"/></a>
Here's how it works
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/01_zpsydghow5j.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/01_zpsydghow5j.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 01_zpsydghow5j.jpg"/></a>
Technically, there is one more state where both signals are ON at the same time. In that case, the actuator's terminals are both connected to ground and it stops moving.
And here's how to actually connect it all
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/02_zpsri2o33t8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/02_zpsri2o33t8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 02_zpsri2o33t8.jpg"/></a>
I have another thread that shows the mechanical actuator design, but the circuit to drive it was lacking.
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/A62C3528-E2BD-48ED-8750-C5D07F4F5FA4_zpshpiz44bg.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/A62C3528-E2BD-48ED-8750-C5D07F4F5FA4_zpshpiz44bg.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo A62C3528-E2BD-48ED-8750-C5D07F4F5FA4_zpshpiz44bg.jpg"/></a>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7WOPeaqThls" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Hope this helps. It really is very simple to use a controller to open and close actuators. I use it for a surge, but the applications are a lot broader. This also works for reversible DC motors, for example. Actually, a DC actuator basically has a reversible DC motor inside it...,
It is possible to add an Arduino and expand to an 8 relay board so that one Apex signal can control both the opening and closing with pre-set timing. That would allow one Apex to operate 4 actuators.
Of course, you can also add VDM modules, and upgrade to a 16 relay board... each VDM + 8 relays would add another 4 actuators...
that's 8 actuators with the Apex, an Arduino board, a 16 relay board (with a 12VDC and 5VDC supplies) and a VDM....
Mechanically, a single actuator can open and close two or more valves too... the possibilities are endless for such a simple implementation
Apex
Two cables to connect Apex's V1/V2 & V3/V4 signals
A 5VDC power supply
A 12VDC power supply (~5A to drive 2 actuators)
An optically isolated relay board (4 relays)
The two actuators (+12VDC)
Wires to connect (with whatever connectors you feel comfortable)
Here's the simplified circuit to drive one actuator
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/00_zpsy7ylenhv.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/00_zpsy7ylenhv.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 00_zpsy7ylenhv.jpg"/></a>
Here's how it works
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/01_zpsydghow5j.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/01_zpsydghow5j.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 01_zpsydghow5j.jpg"/></a>
Technically, there is one more state where both signals are ON at the same time. In that case, the actuator's terminals are both connected to ground and it stops moving.
And here's how to actually connect it all
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/Designs/02_zpsri2o33t8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/Designs/02_zpsri2o33t8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 02_zpsri2o33t8.jpg"/></a>
I have another thread that shows the mechanical actuator design, but the circuit to drive it was lacking.
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/A62C3528-E2BD-48ED-8750-C5D07F4F5FA4_zpshpiz44bg.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/A62C3528-E2BD-48ED-8750-C5D07F4F5FA4_zpshpiz44bg.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo A62C3528-E2BD-48ED-8750-C5D07F4F5FA4_zpshpiz44bg.jpg"/></a>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7WOPeaqThls" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Hope this helps. It really is very simple to use a controller to open and close actuators. I use it for a surge, but the applications are a lot broader. This also works for reversible DC motors, for example. Actually, a DC actuator basically has a reversible DC motor inside it...,
It is possible to add an Arduino and expand to an 8 relay board so that one Apex signal can control both the opening and closing with pre-set timing. That would allow one Apex to operate 4 actuators.
Of course, you can also add VDM modules, and upgrade to a 16 relay board... each VDM + 8 relays would add another 4 actuators...
that's 8 actuators with the Apex, an Arduino board, a 16 relay board (with a 12VDC and 5VDC supplies) and a VDM....
Mechanically, a single actuator can open and close two or more valves too... the possibilities are endless for such a simple implementation
Last edited:
