That's great to know. I am happy for you. For other people who may be interested in the similar project, it might be helpful if you can provide just a few details about what device you ended up using finally and how you wired (if that's possible at all for you). Enjoy your hard earned project!
@@Craigslistmist Yep! With pleasure. I'll make a diagram this week. Q - Can I use the Power Supply Universal Regulated Switching Transformer Adapter (same as you used) to also power the Sonoff smart switch (or the one that I'm using instead) since I'm only using one of the 3 outputs of the power transformer. The smaert switch says 7-32v)?
I bought the Sonoff 4CHR3 (as the one you have is no longer for available). It have 5 wire connectors marked "N", and another 5 wire connectors marker L-IN, L1-Out, L2-Out, L3-Out, L4-Out. What wires go where? TIA
Sorry, I have only used the Pro versions for all my projects, and I am not an expert in this field. But, there is some good info on Sonoff website about controling motors with several of their dual channel relays with wiring diagrams. So, this may help: sonoff.tech/product-review/tutorial/how-to-remotely-control-your-roller-blinds-with-sonoff-smart-switches/ And, their official manual also has wiring diagrams for both 4chr3 and 4chr3pro versions, so you may be able to infer something from there as well: sonoff.tech/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/User-Manual-4CHR3-4CHPROR3-V1.2.pdf Good luck with your project.
Great video. Planning a linear actuator project myself. Is that wiring configuration you have reversing the polarity? I was looking at SONOFF stuff as well but I only need two channels. I am just not positive on how to reserve the polarity using a method similar to what you have done. I also plan on making it comaptible with Amazon Alexa, so gotta figure that out as well.
Hi, that is the main goal of using this Sonoff (to reverse polarity). Any dual pole dual throw relay should work to reverse the polarity. The benefit for this particular device for me was that I custom flashed it with Tasmota. And I can access it via my home assistant/ google home. I am not sure if you can access it directly via Alexa (there might be, I just dont use it). I know for sure that if you use home assistant, there is a way to link it to your Amazon Alexa. Good luck with your project!
I've already built my cabinet. Was wondering did you simply attach the actuators to the bottom of the drawer/tray? Can you post a simple handwritten schematic/design? thx!
Attaching the actuator to the projector tray was a pretty straightforward process. I attached one bracket to the back of the cabinet (not on the moving tray obviously), then extended the actuator fully and attached the second bracket on the projector tray whereever the actuator stopped at its fully extended length. Attaching the second actuator on the bottom part to open the front cabinet door was a pain. Bascially, follow the same principle as for the projector tray actuator. Open the cabinet door fully, extend the actuator to its max, and mark the points where the front bracket would sit on the cabinet door and mark the spot where the back bracket would sit. Dependeing on your dimensions, you may need to attach the back bracket either on the ceiling or all the way to the back of the bottom cabinet. I tried to create a sketch here - photos.app.goo.gl/Bc7a6Hsb2Rku5TZ67 Let me know if you have other questions. Good luck!
@@tynderian yes, you can extend or retract the actuator to wherever you want with the app. You will just have to hit the stop button on the app (or turn off power to that actuator). Another way, which is my preferred method, is to use hard wired kill switches- that way the actuator will automatically stop when it reaches the points where you have put those kill switches.
You can try eBay or AliExpress (although that takes forever for shipping). I have personally not tried using anything else, but can't see any reason why any other four-channel relay would not work. Someone here (in below comments) tried using another four-channel relay and seems like it worked for them.
You need 1 channel for extension and 1 for retraction for 1 actuator. The 4 channel sonoff I am using is controlling 2 actuators. So, assuming that you mean if you can use 2 channels for 2 actuators (1 to extend both and 1 to retract both), the answer is YES. I tested it and it works. Just be mindful of the power consumption of each actuator and how much power you are supplying to them and to Sonoff. Sonoff can take up to 24v DC. Also, in theory both actuators should work in PERFECT sync, but in practice, there MAY BE a TINY delay and not perfect synchrony. Be mindful of that too. My actuator sizes were different (one was 8" and other 12"), so not sure if that had anything to do in my test.
Hey thanks for the reply. I actually tested it today with a knockoff 4 channel relay similar to sonoff but way cheaper. It worked. I was able to use just 2 channels for 2 actuators like you said 1 to extend 1 to retract. That is all I was looking for. Thanks for your help.
Wow, I have been looking for so long and nothing like this exists. Thank you!
Glad I could help!
Thanks SO much I got it working!
That's great to know. I am happy for you.
For other people who may be interested in the similar project, it might be helpful if you can provide just a few details about what device you ended up using finally and how you wired (if that's possible at all for you).
Enjoy your hard earned project!
@@Craigslistmist Yep! With pleasure. I'll make a diagram this week. Q - Can I use the Power Supply Universal Regulated Switching Transformer Adapter (same as you used) to also power the Sonoff smart switch (or the one that I'm using instead) since I'm only using one of the 3 outputs of the power transformer. The smaert switch says 7-32v)?
Yes, it should be able to power Sonoff. Thanks
I bought the Sonoff 4CHR3 (as the one you have is no longer for available). It have 5 wire connectors marked "N", and another 5 wire connectors marker L-IN, L1-Out, L2-Out, L3-Out, L4-Out. What wires go where? TIA
Sorry, I have only used the Pro versions for all my projects, and I am not an expert in this field. But, there is some good info on Sonoff website about controling motors with several of their dual channel relays with wiring diagrams. So, this may help: sonoff.tech/product-review/tutorial/how-to-remotely-control-your-roller-blinds-with-sonoff-smart-switches/
And, their official manual also has wiring diagrams for both 4chr3 and 4chr3pro versions, so you may be able to infer something from there as well: sonoff.tech/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/User-Manual-4CHR3-4CHPROR3-V1.2.pdf
Good luck with your project.
Great video. Planning a linear actuator project myself. Is that wiring configuration you have reversing the polarity? I was looking at SONOFF stuff as well but I only need two channels. I am just not positive on how to reserve the polarity using a method similar to what you have done. I also plan on making it comaptible with Amazon Alexa, so gotta figure that out as well.
Hi, that is the main goal of using this Sonoff (to reverse polarity). Any dual pole dual throw relay should work to reverse the polarity. The benefit for this particular device for me was that I custom flashed it with Tasmota. And I can access it via my home assistant/ google home.
I am not sure if you can access it directly via Alexa (there might be, I just dont use it). I know for sure that if you use home assistant, there is a way to link it to your Amazon Alexa. Good luck with your project!
I've already built my cabinet. Was wondering did you simply attach the actuators to the bottom of the drawer/tray? Can you post a simple handwritten schematic/design? thx!
Attaching the actuator to the projector tray was a pretty straightforward process. I attached one bracket to the back of the cabinet (not on the moving tray obviously), then extended the actuator fully and attached the second bracket on the projector tray whereever the actuator stopped at its fully extended length.
Attaching the second actuator on the bottom part to open the front cabinet door was a pain. Bascially, follow the same principle as for the projector tray actuator. Open the cabinet door fully, extend the actuator to its max, and mark the points where the front bracket would sit on the cabinet door and mark the spot where the back bracket would sit. Dependeing on your dimensions, you may need to attach the back bracket either on the ceiling or all the way to the back of the bottom cabinet.
I tried to create a sketch here - photos.app.goo.gl/Bc7a6Hsb2Rku5TZ67
Let me know if you have other questions.
Good luck!
@@Craigslistmist nice diagram, thx!
Can you still open the door manually with the actuator attached?
No, that won't be possible.
Hi. Want to ask, with the apps, can I stop the actuator in the middle while extending?
I dont want to make my actuator to not extend fully
@@tynderian yes, you can extend or retract the actuator to wherever you want with the app. You will just have to hit the stop button on the app (or turn off power to that actuator). Another way, which is my preferred method, is to use hard wired kill switches- that way the actuator will automatically stop when it reaches the points where you have put those kill switches.
@@Craigslistmist thank you brother.
Appreciate the response
very cool
Thanks
the link to the sonoff is not being sold by amazon any other to replace it?
You can try eBay or AliExpress (although that takes forever for shipping). I have personally not tried using anything else, but can't see any reason why any other four-channel relay would not work. Someone here (in below comments) tried using another four-channel relay and seems like it worked for them.
hi is this device need internet or you can controll via bluetooth apps thanks.
needs internet
Anyway of using one Channel to control both actuator for units that need 2 actuators to be in sync?
You need 1 channel for extension and 1 for retraction for 1 actuator. The 4 channel sonoff I am using is controlling 2 actuators.
So, assuming that you mean if you can use 2 channels for 2 actuators (1 to extend both and 1 to retract both), the answer is YES.
I tested it and it works. Just be mindful of the power consumption of each actuator and how much power you are supplying to them and to Sonoff. Sonoff can take up to 24v DC.
Also, in theory both actuators should work in PERFECT sync, but in practice, there MAY BE a TINY delay and not perfect synchrony. Be mindful of that too. My actuator sizes were different (one was 8" and other 12"), so not sure if that had anything to do in my test.
Thanks for responding
Hey thanks for the reply. I actually tested it today with a knockoff 4 channel relay similar to sonoff but way cheaper. It worked. I was able to use just 2 channels for 2 actuators like you said 1 to extend 1 to retract. That is all I was looking for. Thanks for your help.
0@@KeithOlbermannn Great! Good to know, and good luck with your project.
Thanks! I’m going to use google home to control the linear actuators in my therapeutic chair.
What’s the power supply manufacturer?
Thanks again.