Hi Jasen, Jonno and those interested,
Sorry not to reply sooner. I was hoping to think of a way to do it like you suggest but have been struggling to do so. What do you suggest to stop the motor at approximately the right time?
One way I thought of would be to have two electro magnets with one on each side of the motor. A magnetic switch could be placed on the rotating shaft. When the sensor came on it would switch on one of the electro magnets and switch the other one off. When the sensor went off the electro magnet that is on would go off and the one that is off would come on. The electro magnet would be placed near the motor shaft so that the magnetic reed switch on the rotating shaft moves close to it. Each electro magnet would be made so that it keeps the reed switch on for a 180 degree turn of the motor. If this method is used we would have to be careful to avoid cable twisting.
If you have any other ideas or a simpler way, please let me know. Are you sure that using crank would be simpler than the other way of reversing a motor, bearing in mind setting up a crank would not be needed for the other way?
Also, I am currently winding up a single strand of thin enamel copper wire and would like to test it as a solenoid as well. The wire is about 0.2 mm thick. I am winding it around a bit of pipe about 12mm outside diameter. At what point do you think it would produce the strongest magnetic force for a solenoid that is running of 12 volts and 24 volts? How many meters would I wind on before I test it? I do not want it to get too hot.
Your help is appreciated Regards Richard