robotic airsoft turret wiring troubles.

[jiokl]

I'm working on an airsoft turret that in the end will be fully controlled by a computer. It will be able to move in both X and Y axis. I'm sure I will be posting for more help on here because this is my first big project. I'm working on the wiring for the gun right now. How an airsoft gun works is pretty simple, there is a motor that spins a gear box and moves a spring and fires a BB. My idea is simply using an arduino board to control every thing (both motors and shooting it). Right now my idea for the control of the motor to make the gun shoot is to use a relay, my question is there any other way I could turn the motor on and off fast. I figure a relay since I've used them before, but they take higher voltage then what the airsoft gun battery is. Is there smaller relays then what I'm using (110V like controlling christmas lights) or is there any other ways I could make it work. Any suggestions or ideas are helpful.

[jkerns]

Mouser.com http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?N=254132 shows 5,450 different low signal relays.

Click on the coil voltage that matches what you expect to supply (then filter), decide which ones have enough current capacity, filter again, and you will get down to a reasonably short list.

Another option would be to look at the H bridge driver circuit that is found in the $50 robot tutorial - if all you want is on/off you don't need to make a full H bridge - just build one corner of the circuit to use as an on/off device (any corner with one FET will do).

[Soeren]

Hi,

[...] there is a motor that spins a gear box and moves a spring and fires a BB. My idea is simply using an arduino board to control every thing (both motors and shooting it).

You need to measure the current of the motor, then use a power transistor able to handle the current, a diode to kill the inductive kicks from the motor and two resistors.

If you post the current and voltage the motor takes, I can make you a drawing - can you read a simple schematic?