Actuators
Actuator boards make things happen in the world — drive motors, solenoids, Peltier elements, and LEDs.
H-bridge driver
A full-bridge driver (2 n-channel + 2 p-channel MOSFETs driven by a TC4420) with a connector for a DS18B20 temperature sensor. A low-pass filter makes it Peltier-compatible. Output up to 12 V / 5 A.
| Key parts | TC4420 driver, n/p-channel MOSFETs, DS18B20 connector |
| Power | 12 V / 5 A max output |
| Size | Big |
| Details | Board page & schematics |
Hardware files: Order & BOM on Kitspace · Gerbers · KiCad PCB
Bill of materials — 17 lines
| Ref | Qty | Description |
|---|---|---|
| U1, U2 | 2 | TC4420 footprint PDIP-8 |
| Q1, Q2 | 4 | IRF9Z34NPBF or IRF4905PbF footprint TO-220AB |
| Q3, Q4 | 4 | IRFZ24NPBF or IRFZ44NPbF footprint TO-220AB |
| R3, R4, R5, R7 | 4 | Resistor 47 ohm 250mW through-hole |
| R1, R2, R8, R9 | 4 | Resistor 1k ohm 250mW through-hole |
| R10 | 1 | Resistor 220 ohm 250mW through-hole |
| R11 | 1 | Resistor 560 ohm 250mW through-hole |
| C1, C2, C6, C7 | 4 | 100nF Capacitor Disc |
| C3, C4, C5 | 3 | 22uF CP_Radial_D5.0mm_P2.00mm |
| L1, L2 | 2 | INDUCTOR 33µH Neosid MA-Bs75 |
| J1, J2 | 2 | CONN HEADER XH TOP 2POS 2.5MM |
| J3 | 1 | CONN HEADER XH TOP 4POS 2.5MM |
| J6 | 1 | Terminal block 5mm |
| D1, D2 | 2 | 3mm LED any colour |
| cables | 16 | JUMPER SXH-001T-P0.6 X2 10"" |
| connectors 2pin | 4 | CONN HOUSING 2.5MM 2POS |
| connectors 4pin | 6 | CONN HOUSING 2.5MM 4POS |
Switch array
Uses a 74HC595 shift register to control many components from few pins. Switched load voltage can vary from 5 to 12 V.
| Key parts | 74HC595 shift register |
| Power | 5–12 V switched |
| Details | Board page & schematics |
Hardware files: Order & BOM on Kitspace · Gerbers · KiCad PCB
Bill of materials — 9 lines
| Ref | Qty | Description |
|---|---|---|
| U1 | 1 | SN74HC595 – PDIP-16 |
| Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8 | 8 | 1A NPN |
| R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 | 8 | Resistor 270 ohm 250mW through-hole |
| C1 | 1 | 100nF Capacitor Disc |
| J1, J2 | 2 | CONN HEADER XH TOP 4POS 2.5MM |
| J3, J4, J5, J6, J7, J8, J9, J10, J11 | 9 | CONN HEADER XH TOP 2POS 2.5MM |
| cables | 26 | JUMPER SXH-001T-P0.6 X2 10"" |
| connectors 2pin | 18 | CONN HOUSING 2.5MM 2POS |
| connectors 4pin | 4 | CONN HOUSING 2.5MM 4POS |
High-power switch array
Based on a TC4427 driver and n-channel MOSFETs for switching power-hungry components at 12 V / 5 A, drawn from the mainboard or the 12V5A breakout.
| Key parts | TC4427 driver, n-channel MOSFETs |
| Power | 12 V / 5 A |
| Details | Board page & schematics |
Hardware files: Order & BOM on Kitspace · Gerbers · KiCad PCB
Bill of materials — 10 lines
| Ref | Qty | Description |
|---|---|---|
| J1, J2 | 2 | CONN HEADER XH TOP 4POS 2.5MM |
| J3, J4, J5, J6 | 4 | CONN HEADER XH TOP 2POS 2.5MM |
| C1, C2 | 2 | 100nF Capacitor Disc |
| Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 | 4 | IRFZ24NPBF or IRFZ44NPbF footprint TO-220AB |
| U1, U2 | 2 | TC4427 footprint PDIP-8 |
| R1, R2, R3, R4 | 4 | Resistor 47 ohm 250mW through-hole |
| R5, R6, R7, R8 | 4 | Resistor 1k ohm 250mW through-hole |
| cables | 6 | JUMPER SXH-001T-P0.6 X2 10"" |
| connectors 2pin | 8 | CONN HOUSING 2.5MM 2POS |
| connectors 4pin | 4 | CONN HOUSING 2.5MM 4POS |
Solenoid control board
A "traditional" solenoid driver for applications that do not need the fastest opening times. Use the Spike & Hold board when sub-millisecond opening matters.
| Key parts | MOSFET driver |
| Power | 12 V |
| Details | Board page & schematics |
Spike & Hold board
A purpose-built driver replicating the Lee Company "Spike & Hold" circuit, overdriving solenoids for opening times in the hundreds of microseconds (at the cost of solenoid lifetime). Pairs with the 12V/24V boost converter.
| Key parts | Spike & Hold circuit |
| Power | 12 V / 24 V |
| Details | Board page & schematics |