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automated DIY lens sled?

post #1 of 10
1/16/08 at 10:14am
Thread Starter 
I am about to go CIH. I have the U380, but haven't devised a way to slide it yet. I've looked at the DIY solutions of other AVS members, but they all seems to be manual. Sure, that works fine and I could go that route if I had to, but auto/motorized is very appealing to the sloth in me. I've seen some links to actuators, so I think I have that covered. But how would I automate the whole process? I have a DVDO VP50Pro; is there a way to trigger the operation of the sled a lá the ones sold by the lens manufacturers?
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post #2 of 10
1/16/08 at 10:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pepar View Post

I am about to go CIH. I have the U380, but haven't devised a way to slide it yet. I've looked at the DIY solutions of other AVS members, but they all seems to be manual. Sure, that works fine and I could go that route if I had to, but auto/motorized is very appealing to the sloth in me. I've seen some links to actuators, so I think I have that covered. But how would I automate the whole process? I have a DVDO VP50Pro; is there a way to trigger the operation of the sled a lá the ones sold by the lens manufacturers?

You can buy the actuators online and then just wire it to a powered relay with trigger...look search forums for "DIY lifts" for internet sites that sell this stuff.
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post #3 of 10
1/16/08 at 10:46am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pottscb View Post

You can buy the actuators online and then just wire it to a powered relay with trigger...look search forums for "DIY lifts" for internet sites that sell this stuff.

Cool. Thanks. Any idea what "event" would serve as the trigger and how I would set that up?
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post #4 of 10
1/17/08 at 9:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pepar View Post

Cool. Thanks. Any idea what "event" would serve as the trigger and how I would set that up?

Not very sophisticated, but I have the sled commands simply combined in a macro with the respective AR commands for my VP. So when I hit e.g. the '2.35' button on my remote, (A) the lens slides in place and (B) the VP is set to an output that vertically stretches the image accordingly.
____
Axel
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post #5 of 10
1/17/08 at 9:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Axel View Post

Not very sophisticated, but I have the sled commands simply combined in a macro with the respective AR commands for my VP. So when I hit e.g. the '2.35' button on my remote, (A) the lens slides in place and (B) the VP is set to an output that vertically stretches the image accordingly.
____
Axel

Thanks. Realistically speaking, I am a month or two away from that point. I just received my new entry level SmX 2.35:1 screen and need to re-do my entire false wall and acoustical treatments behind it before I get to the sled part.

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post #6 of 10
2/1/08 at 7:38am
If you are using trigger's be sure they can handle the load of a relay. Sony triggers for example only source about a milliamp. Too low for a relay that could turn on an actuator. The trigger would see the relay as a dead short in that case. I'd recommend using small relays like "reed" type as an intermediate step at the least. And you'd still have to ensure the current requirement is met. Otherwise you need a transistor. Unless the VP50 is designed to source more current...many aren't since they are expecting relatively high impedance loads.
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post #7 of 10
2/1/08 at 9:01am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GetGray View Post

If you are using trigger's be sure they can handle the load of a relay. Sony triggers for example only source about a milliamp. Too low for a relay that could turn on an actuator. The trigger would see the relay as a dead short in that case. I'd recommend using small relays like "reed" type as an intermediate step at the least. And you'd still have to ensure the current requirement is met. Otherwise you need a transistor. Unless the VP50 is designed to source more current...many aren't since they are expecting relatively high impedance loads.

Thanks for calling that to my attention. I'll be sure to check loads and design accordingly.

Got any "B" stock?
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post #8 of 10
2/1/08 at 10:07pm
These acutators look pretty cool... wonder how they would work...

http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_...roducts_id=108

Turns my $60 DIY lense into a little more then I wanted to spend though.
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post #9 of 10
2/2/08 at 5:16am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by roar View Post

These actuators look pretty cool... wonder how they would work...

http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_...roducts_id=108

Turns my $60 DIY lense into a little more then I wanted to spend though.

I've seen others post links to Firgelli Automations as a suggestion on how to move the sled.
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post #10 of 10
2/6/08 at 7:42pm
look on ebay you can find a used linear motor for cheap!
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