
Mulberry
USA
Asked
— Edited

I'll make this as succinct as possible
Can the H Bridges sold by EZ and discussed in the tutorials handle standard 12v actuators? I'm talking low speed, slide out/slide in.
Thanks,
Daniel
All actuators run off a motor and the motor will have a current draw. The current draw is dependent on what HBridge would be useful.
So this is a 12 volt dc, 15 lbs actuator from progressive automations that I use to slide my B9 arms out along drawer tracks. If possible I'd like to avoid an H bridge. Here are the specs:
Input Voltage 12VDC
Current: 5A at full load
Load Capacity: 35lbs, 50lbs, 150lbs
Stroke Length: 1 to 40
Screw: ACME Screw
Duty Cycle 25%
Operational Temperature: -25ºC~+65ºC
Limit Switch: Built-in Non-Adjustable
Full details are here:
http://www.progressiveautomations.com/mini-linear-actuator
Any advice would be greatly welcome.
Thanks,
Daniel
To drive it you will have to use an H-bridge or some other motor controller... There is no other way to reverse as once it is extended you will have to then retract buy reversing the polarity somehow... Other than physically swapping the battery wires, a motor controller like an H-bridge is pretty much your only option....
I use high amp dc window motors for my robot's shoulders, and I'm using a homemade h bridge to control, and it works fine for me. I then use a potentiometer (100k) to read position feedback. I used GetADC to read it. It works for me. You can use this setup and install a wheel on your pot, to read the slide in/out of the actuator arm.
Here's what I did. Hope it helps.
I hate H-bridges.
Daniel