motorized amp rack
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Forum Name: Miscellaneous - Off Topic
Forum Discription: Topics that just don't fit anywhere else.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=81763
Printed Date: April 29, 2024 at 2:06 AM
Topic: motorized amp rack
Posted By: killer sonata
Subject: motorized amp rack
Date Posted: August 18, 2006 at 8:07 PM
has anyone ever used a power antenna to push out and pull in an amp rack? I just bought some very nice ball bearing drawer slides that hold up to 100lbs that Im going to use for my amp rack. I was thinking of finding a junk yard and yanking a power antenna to use for a motor. think it will do the job or are the antennas not strong enough?
Replies:
Posted By: furflier
Date Posted: August 18, 2006 at 8:15 PM
If its not strong enough, you could use a power window motor. You would have to use a relay to power it though.
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Posted By: killer sonata
Date Posted: August 18, 2006 at 8:57 PM
would that require a track under the amp rack to glide on then? wonder how much that would cost.
Posted By: furflier
Date Posted: August 18, 2006 at 9:48 PM
you could get one from a junk yard for practically nothing. As for needing a track it depends on you? If you are fortunate enough you could get a geared track that would mount up to the motor. This is the way I would go if I were building one. -------------
Posted By: killer sonata
Date Posted: August 18, 2006 at 10:15 PM
how does the motor know when to stop though? is this going to be way more complicated than I had imagined? I really have no problem with using my own strength to pull out the rack. I just thought it would be cooler to have it motorized. What about gas shocks from a trunk lid and some kind of lock or something to hold it in?
Posted By: Flakman
Date Posted: August 19, 2006 at 1:55 AM
killer sonata wrote:
how does the motor know when to stop though? is this going to be way more complicated than I had imagined? I really have no problem with using my own strength to pull out the rack. I just thought it would be cooler to have it motorized. What about gas shocks from a trunk lid and some kind of lock or something to hold it in?
That's why I would rather spring the money for the actuator. Just wish I had more welding skills to fab things. ------------- The Flakman
I feel strange. I have deja vu and amnesia at the same time.
John | Manteca, CA
Posted By: Aruman
Date Posted: August 19, 2006 at 1:29 PM
Hey Killer, did you check with Select Products they have some actuator that may help you out., here's the link------------- Shaking The Neighborhood
Posted By: killer sonata
Date Posted: August 19, 2006 at 1:38 PM
i really dont want to spend over $100 for something that I can do for free with my arm. lol. over $100 isnt worth the "cool" factor especially since I dont compete for best of show or anything like that.
Posted By: furflier
Date Posted: August 19, 2006 at 8:20 PM
killer sonata wrote:
how does the motor know when to stop though? is this going to be way more complicated than I had imagined? I really have no problem with using my own strength to pull out the rack. I just thought it would be cooler to have it motorized. What about gas shocks from a trunk lid and some kind of lock or something to hold it in?
I think the motor goes by revolutions. As for the gas shocks, they would work. Have you price them yet? I work on copiers for a living and they use the same kind of shocks that you are talking about & they are not cheap.They range anywhere from $50 each on up depending on the size you need. Also you would need a good locking mechanism to hold it in place under pressure. -------------
Posted By: killer sonata
Date Posted: August 19, 2006 at 8:40 PM
well i figure i can get the gas shocks at a junk yard too. I guess i should start there and weigh out my options.
Posted By: furflier
Date Posted: August 19, 2006 at 9:21 PM
Make sure you get the connectors for them also. This will make mounting them alot easier. -------------
Posted By: killer sonata
Date Posted: August 19, 2006 at 10:35 PM
thanks man. I cant wait to scope it all out.
Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: September 06, 2006 at 6:00 AM
furflier wrote:
killer sonata wrote:
how does the motor know when to stop though? is this going to be way more complicated than I had imagined? I really have no problem with using my own strength to pull out the rack. I just thought it would be cooler to have it motorized. What about gas shocks from a trunk lid and some kind of lock or something to hold it in?
I think the motor goes by revolutions. As for the gas shocks, they would work. Have you price them yet? I work on copiers for a living and they use the same kind of shocks that you are talking about & they are not cheap.They range anywhere from $50 each on up depending on the size you need. Also you would need a good locking mechanism to hold it in place under pressure.
It isn't measured in revolutions. Most motorized systems use switches placed in the proper locations to tell the motor to turn off. To get the amp rack to actuate, you have to use a heavy linear actuator. find one that can push at least 1.5 times the weight of your amp rack (with amps) Any lower and the rack will move while driving and can cause damage to the actuator and the rack itself. You'll also need a 2 second pulse generator, 10 relays and 2 soft button switches. Wired together properly it will work with no problems. We use this setup all the time for actuated setups. ------------- Never send your ducks to eagle school.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
The 3Ls of life: Learn from the Past, Live for the Present, Look to the Future.
Posted By: killer sonata
Date Posted: September 06, 2006 at 9:37 AM
well a new found buddy of mine is selling me a 12" stroke linear actuator hes got laying around for $25. you cant beat that with a stick!. Heres the link. https://www.hiwin.com/la/laf.html 10 relays?!?!?! thats a bit overkill dont you think. Im just gonna do this setup. https://www.surpluscenter.com/grafx/Wiring_BTN.jpg
Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: September 07, 2006 at 12:33 AM
Think you could retry that second link for us? and our 8 relay setup allows us to use 1 button to just press and forget. (pardon me a mis-memory. wrong setup) push the button again and the system closes back up.
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Never send your ducks to eagle school.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
The 3Ls of life: Learn from the Past, Live for the Present, Look to the Future.
Posted By: killer sonata
Date Posted: September 07, 2006 at 1:32 AM
sorry about that link. This one should work. https://www.surpluscenter.com/Wire/W5-1577-12.jpg the push and forget is nice but i dont think its worth an extra 6 relays. lol. I dont think i have that many laying around at the moment anyways. 2 is good enough for me. I dont mind holding down the button. thanks for the suggestion though.
Posted By: Big Dog
Date Posted: October 06, 2006 at 8:40 PM
I'm like you killer sonata. It's not like I didn't have a hundred bucks for actuators but I can't resist a challenge especially when people say it can't be done. I built my motorized amp rack, to drop my amp down from the rear shelf in the trunk, using a windshield wiper motor. Why a wiper motor? Cause scrap yards and auto parts stores are flooded with them, it already works on 12 volts, has multiple speeds and worm drive. You ever try to stop a wiper in motion? She's got torque! The worm drive means it can stop at any position and hold it no matter the weight. Lemme see if I can find some pix fer ya. Here's the rack as it traveled about two inches: 
This is when it's fully open. When it's halfway it changes angle as it continues to drop slowly. I also built the moulded fiberglass enclosure for my 12. 
The pictures aren't the best cause they've been optimised for the web. I'll try to find my mechanical construction pix. In the meantime, here's a link to my control circuit : https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=80714&PN=2 ------------- Prepare your future. It wasn't the lack of stones that killed the stone age.
Posted By: hotwaterwizard
Date Posted: November 04, 2006 at 12:22 PM
 ------------- John DeRosa (Hotwaterwizard)
Stockton California
When in doubt, try it out !
Posted By: Big Dog
Date Posted: November 06, 2006 at 8:01 AM
Very nice, hotwaterwizard, I like the simplicity. Now, how can I implement that into my next project? Hmmm.....let me see  ------------- Prepare your future. It wasn't the lack of stones that killed the stone age.
Posted By: maliboom
Date Posted: November 06, 2006 at 9:34 PM
I'v found another cheap alternative to the expensive actuators from select products or auto loc. Use power seat actuators from the scrap yards, they come with all the wires and swithes you need. Plus they are capable of moving large amounts of weight. I try to get them out of old caddies or lincons because they are the strongest iv'e found to date. Please don't miss understand me i think select products and auto loc are great companies I just feel that sometimes these companies are a little too expensive for certain things.
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