How to use Relays to Control Linear Actuators 

Hi Tony To control the speed of a linear actuator, you can use a DC speed controller such as our AC-14 (www.progressiveautomations.com/ac-14), or a PWM Motor Controller such as the LC-80 (www.progressiveautomations.com/lc-80). If you have any more questions or need more information, don't hesitate to contact us. Best Regards

You need a servo relay. A 2 wire relay does not allow speed control. A 2 wire relay only extends and retracts depending on the voltage applied. Do not try to rapidly switch on and off a relay(s), they will burn out in under a minute if you do that.

Ok I now know a relay would be fine for ages doing this with code, BUT it would be loud. For that reason, a motor controller is nicer. Or building your own with a transistor.

Hello Anas For more in depth information on the wiring and how we did this. please refer to our Instructables post - www.instructables.com/id/Using-Relay-Boards-to-Control-Linear-Actuators/. If you need more information then just give us a call at 1-800-676-6123 or email us at sales@progressiveautomations.com. Best Regards

You're welcome. Cheers!

My apologies i realized you covered this. But would still appreciate confirming if i am correct or not with this.

Hi there. Please refer to our article that goes into much more detail on how to use the relays here - www.progressiveautomations.com/how-to-use-relays-to-control-linear-actuators/. If you have any other questions please contact us at 1-800-676-6123 or sales@progressiveautomations.com. Best Regards

Hello Kruti, Yes, it is possible to program the Arduino microcontroller with a timer function so that the relays cause the actuator to retract after 5-10 seconds. This example was programmed for momentary controls, however, Arduino microcontrollers can also be programmed for non-momentary control if pressing the push button once and letting go was preferred.

I doubt you will have 20 amps for 18 inches of relay travel and 400 LBS. Respectfully, you need to go back and check your equipment AMPS. All of that seems way to heavy on the amps???

Hi Konstantin, If using a linear actuator that is equipped with a potentiometer, this device will be able to provide positional feedback. Raspberry Pi devices can be connected to relays in order to activate the relays when necessary. Thanks.

Hi Erick At the moment we do not have a way for Alexa to directly control our actuators unfortunately. We were however able to find some guides online on how to use Alexa to control a relay, hopefully they help - maker.pro/arduino/projects/how-to-control-an-led-or-relay-with-amazon-alexa-echo. Best Regards

Sonoff....www.itead.cc/sonoff-4ch-pro.html...you can program it for all kinds of stuff, if your amp draw goes over 10Amp, place a relay switch between the actuator and the controller. Best of luck

Hi Ruben, we'd love to assist you in choosing the right motor for your setup. Can you provide us with more details by giving us a call at 1-800-676-6123 or please send us an email at sales@progressiveautomations.com We look forward to hearing from you!

Hi Anth! These relay modules can support a maximum current of 10A @ 250VAC and 10A @ 30VDC

You don't

Good question! The actuator would need one switch for extension and one for retraction. This would equal 2x SPDT relays. Alternatively, you are able to use 1x DPDT relay such as this one: www.progressiveautomations.ca/products/ac-28-30-12

Hello, we have a list of wiring diagrams on our website: www.progressiveautomations.com/technical-data#wiring-pdfs Please feel free to send us an email at sales@progressiveautomations.com and we can directly email you a wiring diagram if a certain wiring diagram is not listed.

Hi Kim, yes we are using a 12V linear actuator in this video.

Hi there. For technical questions like these, please contact us to get in touch with an engineer so they can best assist you. Call us at 1-800-676-6123 or sales@progressiveautomations.com. Best Regards

All you need to do is get a 24v power supply to power the actuator. It doesn't require any special engineer assistance. In fact that what relays are for. They are meant to separate the Load from the controller. Example: Your car headlights. They draw a lot of current and therefore need larger wire to handle that current. Well you don't want large wires going through the dash and large buttons that are able to handle that current. Also you want the circuit to be as sort as possible. So you use a relay. Small button, small wires, longer distance operating a low voltage/ low amp/low current relay coil. Simple: Use small to operate big. In fact they are actually semi doing it wrong in this video. They are using the Micro controller power to power the actuator. That's a big no no.The power should come as direct, from the power source, as possible.

Hi there. You can see the coding we used for this example in our blog post - www.progressiveautomations.com/how-to-use-relays-to-control-linear-actuators/. If you have any other questions please contact us. Best Regards

Hello, Each actuator requires positive and negative 12VDC to achieve extension and retraction. Ensure that the relays you use can provide the DC voltage polarity reversal. Thanks Team Progressive Automations.

Progressive Automations : is there a wiring schematic that you could provide? I am still unclear by what you mean. By the way, I bought the 14-PA actuators. Looking forward to integrating Arduino. Thanks Progressive

Most Arduinos can take 12VDC and turn it into 5V and/or 3.3V. The 5V from the Arduino can operate 2 or 3 relays most of the time. (I would recommend to seperate the actual relays and controller in your PSU setup regardless. It just makes for a less noise and touchy setup) Regarding the actuators, if you are using the same 12VCD PSU, you just need to make sure the maximum amperage is higher than both your components and your motor.

Hi Ray Our Linear actuators have a variety of duty cycles, however they are typically in the 20-25% range. This mean that the actuators can be run for approximately 4-5 minutes, where they will require an approximate 15 minute cool-down period. Thanks

@@ProgressiveAutomations ohh thank you for the reply that helped me alot!

Hello Martina, We have several Arduino sample codes that can be utilized with our actuators. For control options using relays with linear actuators, you can check out more here! www.progressiveautomations.com/pages/resources#arduino-coding

Hello This specific application requires an arduino to function correctly. If you would like to discuss alternative options to get similar forms of control, please contact us at 1-800-676-6123 or sales@progressiveautomations.com. Best Regards

Hi there. The relay module used in this video is a 4 Channel 5V relay, which you can see here - www.progressiveautomations.com/lc-201. If you have any other questions please contact us at 1-800-676-6123 or sales@progressiveautomations.com. Best Regards

Hello Muhammad! Any type of Breadboard Friendly Momentary Push Button Switch should be suitable for this circuit. The code is available on our site linked in the video description, however, this link will also work: www.progressiveautomations.com/blogs/how-to/how-to-use-relays-to-control-linear-actuators

Hello, The wiring in this video follows the same wiring diagram listed in the video’s description linked below: www.progressiveautomations.com/blogs/how-to/how-to-use-relays-to-control-linear-actuators If you had any other questions, we’ll happily assist you at sales@progressiveautomations.com Best regards, Progressive Automations Team

Hi Nitz! Please refer to our article that goes into much more detail on how to use the relays here - www.progressiveautomations.com/blogs/how-to/how-to-use-relays-to-control-linear-actuators If you have any other questions please feel free contact us toll-free 1-800-676-6123 or sales@progressiveautomations.com

Hi Mark We actually have an article related to this video on our blog here - www.progressiveautomations.com/how-to-use-relays-to-control-linear-actuators/. It shows the coding that the Arduino is using. If you have any other questions related to the Arduino coding, please contact us directly at 1-800-676-6123 or sales@progressiveautomations.com to get in touch with one of our engineers. Best Regards

@@ProgressiveAutomations hi there, I noticed the article but it doesn't mention the push buttons you have in the video, how for these work? If statement ?

Hi there Please refer to our Instructables post on this example here - www.instructables.com/id/Using-Relay-Boards-to-Control-Linear-Actuators/. This goes into much more detail on the coding and how everything comes together to function correctly. Hope this helps. Best Regards

The code is available on our site linked in the video description, however, this link will also work: www.progressiveautomations.com/blogs/how-to/how-to-use-relays-to-control-linear-actuators

We'd love to see your kayak actuator steering control!

Hi, Typically relays are easier to integrate into the average users setup. However, we do offer transistors in a motor driver package. Thank You.