My L12 Firgelli linear actuator (210:1, RC, 50 mm, 6V) is controlled by an Arduino Card. It seems to work perfectly except when the Arduino sends the PWM control signal, the actuator becomes really really hot after 30 seconds of working (it is so hot that I cannot touch it more than 5/10 seconds). I checked the power supply (a battery): the ‘limit’ of 6V is respected and the average (because it is a rectangular signlal - PWM) of my current from the Arduino is close to 300 µA (so even during the peak, I’m far from the 450 mA).
Is this heat expected ? Does someone have any idea about the origin of this heating ?
Welcome to the RobotShop forum. Are you trying to move a load wit hthe actuator for 30 seconds powered directly by the actuator? Are you certain the type of actuator you received is PWM? Any additional information would be useful. We suggest not using the actuator at all until the issue is resolved.
"We will need some clarification regarding the problem. He indicates the actuator works fine when it is not connected to the Arduino, how is he controlling it in that case?
There also seems to be some confusion about the maximum current. The 450mA maximum can be measured between the battery and the actuator, not between the Arduino and the RC input.
Even when overloaded, these actuators take a while to heat up; is the battery backwards?, battery ground, actuator ground, and Arduino ground not connected together?
Excessive heat generation could be caused by a short on the pcb however it is a pretty unusual fault if the actuator still positions correctly while heating up that much, especially if it only occurs when connected to an arduino."
