Hi I bought a L12 6V 50mm 210:1 PLC/RC Miniature Linear Actuator off robotshop.com . Is it possible to get instructions for it as I don’t know how it works
Regards
Padraig
Hello @Padraigosullivan and welcome to the forum!
You can find all the control options in the datasheet.
Also, I recommend looking at the videos available on the Actuonix Motion Devices youtube page.
As well as the Arduino tutorials:
https://www.actuonix.com/category-s/1957.htm
If you have specific questions about one control option don’t hesitate to ask 
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Is there any just straight connection from the linear actuator to the battery without any control panel
Hello again @Padraigosullivan
Here’s a list of the possible control modes for that type of actuator:
0–5 V Interface Mode: This mode allows the actuator to be controlled with just a battery, and a potentiometer to signal the desired position to the actuator – a simple interface for prototypes or home automation projects. The desired actuator position (set point) is input to the actuator on lead 2 as a voltage between ground and 5 V. The set point voltage must be held on lead 2 even when the desired actuator stroke position is reached. Lead 2 is a high impedance input.
4–20 mA Interface Mode: This mode is compatible with PLC devices typically used in industrial control applications. The desired actuator position (set point) is input to the actuator on lead 1 as a current between 4 mA and 20 mA. The set point current must be held on lead 1 even when the desired actuator stroke position is reached.
RC Servo Interface Mode: This is a standard hobby-type remote-control digital servo interface (CMOS logic),
compatible with servos and receivers from manufacturers like Futaba™ and Hi-Tec™. The desired actuator position is input to the actuator on lead 4 as a positive 5 Volt pulse width signal. A 1.0 ms pulse commands the controller to fully retract the actuator, and a 2.0 ms pulse signals full extension. If the motion of the actuator, or of other servos in your system, seems erratic, place a 1–4Ω resistor in series with the actuator’s red V+ lead wire.
PWM Mode: This mode allows control of the actuator using a single digital output pin from an external microcontroller. The desired actuator position is encoded as the duty cycle of a 5 Volt 1 kHz square wave on actuator lead 2, where the % duty cycle sets the actuator position to the same % of full stroke extension. The waveform must be 0V to +5V in order to access the full stroke range of the actuator.
If you don’t want to use a PLC, RC or microcontroller interface you could simply use the first option. Just the battery and a potentiometer to change the value of the input signal.
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What does option one consist of the actuator and what else??
And where can I buy the apparatus to connect the battery to the actuator
The I-Series actuator models feature an on-board software-based digital micro-controller. The controller is non programmable and will configure itself for one of 4 input modes depending on which leads are plugged in on power up.
1 - Green – Current input signal (4–20 mA interface mode)
2 - Blue – Voltage input signal (0–5V interface mode)
3 - Purple – Position Feedback signal (Proportional 0–3.3 V)
4 - White – RC input signal (RC-servo compatible mode)
5 - Red – Power (6V model or 12V model)
6 - Black – Ground
For option 1 you will need the actuator, a 6 V battery (you can use a 4xAA battery holder for example this one or any other 6V battery, you can find some other options here), a potentiometer (for example this one but you have other options here)
And you will have to do the following connections:
1 - Green – Nothing
2 - Blue – Voltage input signal (0–5V) - Connect to the variable signal of the potentiometer
3 - Purple – Nothing
4 - White – Nothing
5 - Red – Power
6 - Black – Ground
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