Basic Control

Note: Always check the maximum air supply you provide to the system. Every component has its own specifications and can withstand different maximum pressures.

Basic Arduino control

Once the board has been wired following the assembly instructions, we need to program the Arduino Mega microcontroller. If you haven't done so already, set up your Arduino board using the official setup guide: Windows / Mac

If you were able to get the guide's Blink example to work, upload the sample code to control the board hardware. Those already familiar with Arduino programming can customize the code to fit their own needs. 

Basic manual control

  1. Power the board by plugging in the 24 VDC power adapter.
  2. Press the "Board On/Off" button. The two power regulators should turn on and display outputs of 5 and 12 volts.
  3. Slowly turn one of the 4 potentiometer dials that control the valves. The solenoid valves should start actuating (they will make clicking noises) and a corresponding red light on top of the valve should blink. If nothing happens, try flipping the corresponding valve on/off switch. As you turn the dial, the actuation duty cycle (the ratio of the valve's on time to its off time) should vary.
  4. While a valve is actuating, slowly adjust the potentiometer on the breadboard (the one connected to Arduino pin A7). The frequency at which the valve actuates should change.
  5. Flip the "Pump On/Off" switch. The pump should turn on.
  6. While the pump is on, adjust the various potentiometer dials and feel the air coming out of the board outputs. The airflow should vary as you turn the dials.
  7. Plug in the USB cable to the Arduino board if it isn't already. Open the serial monitor. The pressure readings for each output (in PSI) should be displayed and continuously updating.

Control Board PWM Code.txt2 KB