what to use Instead of a Linear Actuator???

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Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: General Mobile Electronics Questions and Answers
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=8534
Printed Date: May 09, 2025 at 11:21 PM

Topic: what to use Instead of a Linear Actuator???

Posted By: TheRapture
Subject: what to use Instead of a Linear Actuator???
Date Posted: January 24, 2003 at 9:03 AM

Ok, seeing as though a Linear Actuator isexpensive as hell... i need all of your help in this project...

Want to flap a switch to move my rear seats down... flip the switch the other way to move the seats back up.

i was going to use the Actuators arm to move it up and down, but i need something a hell of alot less expensive.

so, does anyone have an idea what i can use to do this? i was thinking about a power ANTENNA... but i dont believe it can handle pushing and pulling the seats (i'm asuing 20-25lbs?

Thanks for all your help!

Replies:

Posted By: Nick Johnson
Date Posted: January 24, 2003 at 2:10 PM

I also agree, those actuators are very expensive!!! I heard somewhere that you could modify a power antenna to do the same job as an actuator. An antenna is'nt really pushing or pulling any weight other than it's self, so it might not work. Two antennas might help take the weight off of the other one. I've also read that shops have used power window motor/gears to motorize amp racks. Maybe that would work? Let me know what you come up with. It's nice to see someone else has'nt forgotten about motorization!

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Nick Johnson

Posted By: SnomanF150
Date Posted: January 24, 2003 at 9:33 PM

sissorjack and an electric motor.. used that to lift an amprack before.. worked out pretty good..

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George

David's Car Stereo

Baton Rouge, LA

Posted By: utsdist
Date Posted: January 25, 2003 at 10:57 AM

I've used the motor and drive assembly from the power seat motor.. I usually look for the front power seats from a Ford at the junk yard. It'll take a little work to get the motor and drive assembly apart but once you do it a few times, it' a piece of cake. You'll find on each front seat, 1 motor drive unit with a slave drive unit (driven by a cable from the motor drive unit) and 1 short motor drive unit. Installation will require some planning but the wiring will be is simple. Just use use 2 relays, reversing, resting at ground with LIMIT SWITCHES at each end of the travel.

20 - 25 pounds?....no problem, just remember to make sure there's no one seating in the back seat when you put the seat down posted_image .

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Michael T

Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: January 27, 2003 at 1:12 PM

power window motors are actually quite useful in these situations as well...I am sure the power window motors out of a late 80s Monte Carlo or similar car with huge windows would be more than adequate as far as weight is concerned...

I am not sure about motor placement however, you would have to look at that yourslef...but they would probably have the distance you need to move your seats without much modification...

Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: January 27, 2003 at 1:28 PM

If you are to use the power window motors you will need to attach a worm gear to slow down the motor otherwise it will be too fast.

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA