It's well-known that these can be used, but which ones are best and at what prices?? This is what I am finding:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002259609763.html
400mm stroke 100N force and 50mm/s - $55
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001382488812.html
500 mm stroke 180N force 50mm/s - $65
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000833409994.html
400 mm stroke 200N force 66mm/s - $85
Now, clearly here are other/better options I did not find so it would be great to get a full list.
These "ratings" are also not to be sure until you actually try them, and maybe they will just burn out, but pypilot motor controller does support a motor temperature sensor which should prevent it.
As for waterproofing, perhaps the simplest way is with a waterproof canvas and spring.
Has anyone actually used linear actuators from aliexpress and what problems did you face?
We have bought two of these (for two small boats, a 25 and a 26 footer, about 2 tons):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/40002079...4c4dktEZwx
Different stroke and speed/ force ratings available. IP66.
We went with 150N, 95mm/s and a stroke of 300 mm for me and 250 for my friend. In that way they fit perfectly to the current installation. Actually, with a 250mm stroke, these actuators have the same length as the ray ST2000.
They should arrive soon, we will let you know how they are once we tested them.
//Fabian
I am using this one
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqNoh7R
It works just fine, and it's exposed to the elements 24/7 no problems as yet, and it has been a few months.
The only problem I have encounter is the potentiometer stopped working, so I had to add an external potentiometer, but I realized it was my own fault as I did not leave the wire lead long enough so when I stowed the engine it severed those wires..... opps
I ordered the 70mm/s @ 200N 12V.
During testing, I thought it would be noisy, but it is hardly audible when out on the water
(2021-05-28, 08:34 PM)rastam4n Wrote: [ -> ]I am using this one https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqNoh7R
It works just fine, and it's exposed to the elements 24/7 no problems as yet, and it has been a few months.
The only problem I have encounter is the potentiometer stopped working, so I had to add an external potentiometer, but I realized it was my own fault as I did not leave the wire lead long enough so when I stowed the engine it severed those wires..... opps
I ordered the 70mm/s @ 200N 12V.
During testing, I thought it would be noisy, but it is hardly audible when out on the water
I have bought the same 2 month ago, (30cm stroke)but still not tested. For the specifications, I thought it was one of the best performances/price that I could find.
Not very happy with the seller... but if the actuator works fine it doesnt matter much..
I will try to test it along next month
any chance you could repost the link? it has ... in it
I just bought an actuator from this AliExpress store
https://m.aliexpress.com/store/v3/home.h...&extParams=
Easy and straight forward to deal with and excellent prices.
They have a large range of actuators. I bought the heavy duty, metal gears, 12v/24v 60mm p/s, 300mm stroke and 150N. I will make my own waterproof enclosure. If this performs OK I will buy a 2nd and keep onboard as a spare.
I am a while away from getting this hooked up to the boat but will report my findings when that happens.
I bought two of these for another project, but one was enough, so I repurposed it for autopilot use.
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1874269390.html
I chose the 20mm/s @ 500N. It is not very fast, but it works fine. I guess a faster moving actuator would require less power since it wouldn't be ON as long... But I have plenty of energy and no fridge so pilot power consumption is no problem.
(2021-05-28, 08:34 PM)rastam4n Wrote: [ -> ]I am using this one https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqNoh7R
It works just fine, and it's exposed to the elements 24/7 no problems as yet, and it has been a few months.
The only problem I have encounter is the potentiometer stopped working, so I had to add an external potentiometer, but I realized it was my own fault as I did not leave the wire lead long enough so when I stowed the engine it severed those wires..... opps
I ordered the 70mm/s @ 200N 12V.
During testing, I thought it would be noisy, but it is hardly audible when out on the water
I am going to test this out on my inflatable dingy.
I have created a thread on it (
https://forum.openmarine.net/showthread....2#pid21332)