Actuator wiring on a motorbike

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Motorcycle Electronics
Forum Discription: Installing Stereos, Alarms, Remote Starters, Lights, Garage Door Openers and other electronics on motorcycles.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=14746
Printed Date: May 13, 2025 at 1:44 AM

Topic: Actuator wiring on a motorbike

Posted By: mOtOman
Subject: Actuator wiring on a motorbike
Date Posted: June 10, 2003 at 11:02 PM

I'm planning on using an actuator to flip down the license plate on my motorcycle so that I can access the trunk lock (and to avoid photo radar tickets). I'm unsure of how to wire it up properly and am wondering what components to get and how to wire them up.

I'd like to have it set up so that a push of a button will activate the actuator to pull as well turn on an LED, and then another push of the same button will cause the actuator to reverse, and turn the LED off.

What kind of actuator should I use, given that I want as much pull length as possible, I don't think I need much more than 10lbs of pull strength.
Should I use a relay, and if so, what kind? I'm not sure how to reverse the polarity to get the reverse action on the actuator.
What kind of LED should I use?
What current should the switch be rated to? I'm thinking of using a momentary on/off switch, should I be using something else?

Thanks in advance for your help!

My motorcycle battery is 12 volts and 0.9 amps.

Replies:

Posted By: robattoronto
Date Posted: June 11, 2003 at 7:53 AM

Since you're in Canada, find a location to this store from here. www.princessauto.com In the surplus section of the store they sell a keyless entry kit for $26. It includes 2 keys transmitters, control module, 2 door actuators and wires& metal frame. Very cheap and I think it will suit your purpose. You gotta use your imagination here.

Posted By: mOtOman
Date Posted: June 11, 2003 at 1:32 PM

Thanks, I didn't find the $26 kit in the online catologue/flyer, but I'll zip down there to see if it's in-store here in Calgary.

Posted By: auex
Date Posted: June 11, 2003 at 6:42 PM

I don't think that a door lock actuator is going to be your solution here. The door lock actuator is only going to give you about an inch of throw. What you need is called a linear actuator, and unfortunately they are pretty pricy even if all you need is like a three inch throw.

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Posted By: xetmes
Date Posted: June 11, 2003 at 7:10 PM

yea a door lock actuator wont give you much, you could make a arm for it to get more movement but thats gonna be some work, a linear actuator (as auex said) is what you probably want, but expensive. you could use pnuematics but thats some good fabrication, you could use a motor, but again thats some fabrication, you could put an actuator on the latch and have it spring open, but then you would have to push it back.. just some of my thoughts, dont be discouraged though, its a good idea, it will just require some fabrication posted_image

Posted By: mOtOman
Date Posted: June 12, 2003 at 10:47 AM

I've thought about that, but haven't actually tried it. I plan to set up the plate similar to this :

https://hotcity.com/~tandre/bikes/my_bikes/929_fender_bob/fender_bob.html

And have a little perpendicular lever attached to the hinge/plate to pull up on, that would flip the plate down via leverage with only 1/2 inch of pull.

The same idea is commercially avail, but I've heard the quality is crap, and I can probably make mine more stealthy for way less.

Posted By: mOtOman
Date Posted: June 12, 2003 at 11:00 AM

I forgot to add the link to the commerically avail retractor :

https://www.mannsmotorsports.com/fastags/