Electronics 2000

Hi guys, before I open my mouth and make myself look a total idiot I dont know hardly anything about electronics but what im after doesnt sound that hard in theory. Please go easy on me as I reckon the progress of technology stopped after the spoon!!!!

What im trying to do is get some way of controlling a motorised fold out step on the side of my van. The kit its supplied with has a 2 rocker switches ( one for in and obviously one for out ) that spring back to 'off' when released' ie you have to hold them down to make them operate the motor to wind the step in and out. It states in the instructions that you shouldnt hold either switch on after the motor has extended or retracted to stop straining the motor.

What I would like to achieve is when I slide the door open ( its on the side of a transit van ) a switch in the door jamb ( similar idea that puts your interior lights on ) would operate the motor for approx 2.5 seconds or however long it needs to swing into postion then stop. Obviously would need it to do the opposite when the door closes.

Ive figured out its probably easier to have 2 push switches in the door jamb ( one to tell it when the door is open and one to tell it when its closed ) but have no idea have to make it so they would only run for a set time and then cut out.

Is it possible and if so how do I need to go about it??

Many Thanks

PC.

do i just need a couple of these fellas??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/12155587 ... 0&ff14=108

Perhaps the simplest thing would be to have a couple of micro switches which sense when the step is fully extended and fully retracted. That would save having to guess at the time for the step to move. A refinement would be to have a timer set for a period longer than the normal extend/retract time which would cut the supply to the motor and sound an alarm if the step got stuck.

A switch/button at each end in series with the rockers ... One for each rocker ... The switches are normally closed but open when triggered by the step.