Tunable Wireless Motor Control for Roll Tarp Systems
A 20-foot tarp system does not behave like a 40-foot tarp system.
Different trucks, trailers, tarp materials, motors, cable routing, weather conditions, and installation details can all change how the system feels in the field.
Upfitters can change the motor size or use different spring combinations depending on the application.
But If the combination is too conservative, the larger system may feel underpowered.
If the power delivery to the tarp pulley is too aggressive, the smaller system is more likely to damage parts when something binds.
That puts custom tarp manufacturers and truck upfitters in a tough position.
What’s better is a control box that can be tuned around the application.
Smart motor protection built in
The product featured in this article is a wireless DC motor control box meant for outdoor equipment applications like roll tarp systems.
The board is built around a powerful 40A H-bridge driver with current sensing and PWM drive capability.
In plain English, that means the control box can do more than basic on/off motor control.
For example:
- current limits can be adjusted so the motor doesn’t go up in smoke if something goes wrong
- motor speed can be controlled
- the controller can respond when the motor stalls or binds
- wireless controls can be configured around the operator experience
- general purpose receiver inputs and outputs can be configured for greater control
If you’re curious about the setup process, visit the Contact Us page and fill out the form to start a conversation about how these boxes get configured for you. Or message me on linkedin.
The goal is to make the system easier for the operator while helping protect the tarp, cable, motor, and mechanical system.
Dual current limit technology
We understand roll tarp manufacturers may sell more than one tarp size.
One customer needs a shorter tarp.
Another needs a longer tarp.
One installation moves smoothly.
Another has more friction, different cable routing, ice, snow, or harsher field conditions.
If every system uses the same generic controller behavior, somebody ends up compromising.
A tunable control box gives the manufacturer more room to match the electronics to the actual application.
In one example, a customer wanted both automatic operation and manual operation.
A quick press of the open or close button could automatically run the tarp.
Pressing and holding the button could put the motor into manual drive mode.
Those two modes do not have to behave the same way.
During automatic one-touch operation, the controller can use a more conservative current threshold to help protect the tarp, cable, and mechanical system from excessive force at end-of-travel or during a bind.
During manual press-and-hold operation, the controller can allow a higher current threshold so the operator can intentionally work through light snow, ice, or normal resistance while still keeping overload protection in place.
Same platform.
Different behavior depending on the equipment and how the operator needs to use it.
Built for outdoor DC motor control
Roll tarps are one of the clearest applications, but the same control problem shows up across outdoor equipment.
DC motors are used in covers, lifts, actuators, gates, trailer accessories, agricultural equipment, and truck-mounted systems.
Many of those applications need the same basic things:
- forward and reverse motor control
- rugged outdoor hardware
- protection features
- simple operator controls
- wireless operation
- behavior that can be adjusted to the equipment
That is the space this box is being built for.
Still learning, still building
We have been learning a lot about the roll tarp industry lately.
For custom tarp manufacturers and truck upfitters, the right control box can make installation cleaner, reduce tearing and binding, and give the manufacturer more control over tuning how each system behaves.
If you build roll tarp systems or outdoor equipment with DC motors, we would be glad to talk.
