Linear Actuator Control - Assumptions for RC Lawnmower

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Getting ready to make some purchases as I think I am starting to understand the electronics/RC side of things for my Rc Lawn Mower. The Sabertooth 2x60 seems a must have.

I’ve been watching some vid and reading some posts here. A clarification on actuators: am I correct in assuming that the Product Code : Actuonix L16 ( https://www.robotshop.com/en/actuonix-l16-actuator-50mm-1501-6v-rc-control.html ) is directly controlled from a RC receiver, but if you want more power with a bigger actuator you need a separate power supply controlled by a board such as the Actuonix Linear Actuator Control Board ( https://www.robotshop.com/en/actuonix-linear-actuator-control-board.html ) ?

Am I understanding this correctly? Thanks all…

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Hello @CalgaryPT,

Actuonix L16 Option R, you can control with RC signal. But, If you use Actuonix Linear Actuator Control, you can have better control of your actuators (for example option P, which has Potentiometer Position Feedback). And yes, for Control Board, you need separate power supply.

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Thanks. Starting to understand this stuff more…:grinning:

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Just keep on learning :upside_down_face:

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Hello @CalgaryPT !

I just found this tutorials to help you going through your project:

Hope this help you! :grin:

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@RoboCS - thanks so much, that’s very kind of you. Everyone on this forum is super helpful. I just ordered the board you reference but the vid is what I needed to drive the concepts home.

I actually ordered both an R series and and P series (w/ LAC) as I don’t know yet the power and amount of control I will need. Depending on the type of mower I use, I will at minimum need to control the engine Start/Stop lever, but maybe the throttle (although governors and auto-chokes make these unnecessary on newer engines).

The way I see it I need channels for:

  • Differential drive wheels from the Sabertooth 2x60 (2 channels, either one or two gimbels—haven’t decided yet)
  • Magnetic brakes on motors
  • Remote start (hopefully…as this is cool I think)
  • Linear actuator for engine start/stop lever

I have a Spektrum DX6E on order for the transmitter, so this should be a good starter unit. Eventually I’ve like to have an actuator for deck height adjustment too, but his may be overkill.

I’m also researching a battery powered mower, but these are pricer and used small engine powered ones are a dime a dozen. That may be a version 2, with solar panels to recharge.

As I mentioned in a previous post the metal work side of this is a breeze to me. I am focusing on the RC and robotics stuff for now as I get up to speed. It’s lots of fun. Once I get a prototype I like I plan to incorporate some Arduino safety features. A camera uplink would be so darn geeky I almost have to do this.

Thanks again for your help.

My wife thinks I’m nuts (again/still).

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