Section control with 19 linear actuators

Hardware Section Control
1

Hi there,

I’m way over my head with this project.

I have a 19 lines seed drill, and want to use section control with linear actuators in order to close sections.

I already tested some code, but can’t do what i need.

First, i need help setting two sets of relay modules.

For example, i need for the linear actuators to extend/retract for 10 seconds and not for all the size of the actuators.

Any help would be of great value.

Thanks in advance!

1 Like
2

You cant use end stop sensors instead of timing?
With a setup like this you only need one DPDT relay per section

This explains how

3

do you have image where actuator are located ?
witch speed do you think ?

4

Thanks, that’s a good idea!

It adds more hardware, but sure it’s a way to go.

I saw some Arduino code that limited the time to extend/retract, but this maybe it’s better because the sections could be harder to open/close.

5

They will be installed here, with some mounting hardware:

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I won’t buy all actuators until i have a working solution.

I have bought just this two to test if it was possible.

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6

try to test it
i m not confidence of this small activator for this fonction

7

Hey, cool project!

  1. you can use linear actuators that have the same travel length as the slider in the pictures of your seed drill. Add a rubber element or spring if the length doesn’t match 100%. These linear motor can bend the slider if debris builds up. This one travels 50mm, looks like that is what the slider in your picture moves al well. Heads up only IP 54, you need to protect them from the elements (water etc.). Amazon.ca
  2. there are some linear motors where you can adjust the end stops (still have some sort of cushion / rubber element)
  3. build it like suggested in the video.
  4. us this code: ESP32 Machine board via WiFi increase the relays to 39 and run two relays per section, one inverted one normal.
  5. or use the regular machine board, add / increase up to 19 relays, these relays trigger the DPDT relays which control the motors.
  6. You might want to add a main switch that lets you turn the power to the motors off. Once AOG powers down the relays all go low, causing all motors to close (or open) all at once. 19 motors might draw quite some current. This would be the case on your headland as well once you closed them once by one when seeding on an angle. When you start a new row they all need to open at once. I would not expect crazy current draws but 19 motors could sum up to 20 or 30 amp easy if the sliders move light. maybe have a smaller fuse for for each motor so it blows the motor fuse where you have a hard to open or close slider.

Good luck!

8

Thanks, I´ll buy some from Amazon to test if it works.

9

Thank you! :smiley:

I was inspired from the several videos published about section control, and though that if i got help, i could get it done.

  1. There is no actuator with the same size as the sliders (80 mm if not mistaken), and will have to use some rubber, as you said;
  2. I’ll have to make a list of what boards/accesories i have in order to see if they would work with your code;
  3. I’ve seen somewere in this forum a box with one switch for each section, that turned off, turned on manually or would allow AgOpenGPS control it.
    There is no problem with headland, as i have to lower the wheels, and the drill stops sending seed and fertelizer. The problem is when overlap happens, the fields aren’t rectangles and have some trees and stones.
    Yes, a fuse for each motor is a good idea. Would it be possible to see in AgOpenGPS if there is a problem with a motor that did not open/close?

Thanks for the help!

10

75mm is close to 80mm, do they need to be fully open or closed?

AOG has basically switches on screen, if you want manual switches, expanding this variant to 19 relays might be the better choice: GitHub - Xilofeon/Section-Control-for-AgOpenGPS

11

My bad, the distance that the linear actuator has to extend/retract is 60 mm, so the 75 mm is more then enough.

With that, the 75 mm actuators are faster that the 100 mm.

Once again, thanks for the help, and sorry for the questions…

It must be easier to just have one main on/off switch, and then one switch that could pull the all sliders, and close the seed/fertiliser.

From the link you’ve sent, there are different hardware configurations that can make it work.

For the 19 rows (with two relays for each actuator), there must be 38 relays. Do you recommend five ESP32-WROOM-32E boards, or could it work with two 16 relay board module plus one board with eight relays?

Can five ESP32-WROOM-32E boards work side by side with AgOpenGPS?

When testing arduino nano with ethernet shield and 16 relay board module, i couldn’t get more then 14 relays to function (as expected), but couldn’t figure how to have more than one board connected (if it is even possible).

12

Hello,
Here is what I’ve done on our seeder (Nodet Year/Mod 1964)
Displacement is 75 mm
All is conrolled through Relay control with ESP8266 connected to tablett via Wifi
Francois

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2 Likes
13

is is @Daniel Code ?

14

No this is my own code, it use ESP8266 and UDP wifi connected (no wires)
and use tram lines signal in PGN
If you’re interested let me know ?
Francois

15

if you agree to share in the post it is nice to check and compare

16

Here it is
There is also implemented a pulse sensor which indicates AOG when you’re seeding or not.
You may have to add Arduino ESP8266 libraries.
If you swith GPIO0 , it enters in AP mode for fonciguration (SSID, Pwd and reprogrammation)
TramSens.zip (338.5 KB)
I’ve also the same for sections (indicates to Aog status of sections) and display indicator

Francois