I am in the process of constructing a large model that will be remote controlled. The receiver I plan to use is the Spektrum AR 610 (rated up to 9.6V) It has become apparent that I need to step up my servos to 12v in order to get the speed and torque required, so I have ordered your Firgelli 12v 35lb linier Actuator (RB-Fra-78) and a firgelli LAC board (RB-Fir-121) along with a 12V 5a LA battery. Are there any special instructions and/or hardware that I should have to make the 12V device operate with my 9.6V Rx? I am a novice with both electronics and robotics, so any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Definitely do not connect a 12V source to your receiver if the rating is 9.6V max. You can use a voltage regulator:
robotshop.com/en/power-regulators.html
Ex: robotshop.com/en/dc-dc-power … RB-Dfr-222
You’ll need to split the power supply: 12V going to the LAC, and 12V going to the voltage regulator, which in turn powers the receiver.
The following cable should be useful:
robotshop.com/en/lynxmotion- … le-12.html
Mr. Benson thank you for the helpful advice. Im a bit confused as to how the Rx and the linear actuator are connected. Are there any schematics available on line for this? It appears that only 9.6V will be going to th actuator??? sorry for my confusion!
Thanks
Kevin
You don’t connect the linear actuator directly to the receiver - you need a DC motor controller which accepts RC PWM input:
robotshop.com/en/rc-motor-controllers.html
Note that a good model is the Sabertooth as it has a voltage regulator onboard which is used to power the receiver directly (no need for separate DC-DC voltage regulator):
robotshop.com/en/sabertooth- … river.html
I have wired my Actuator to the LAC board (see cdn.instructables.com/FO0/09G4/ … .LARGE.jpg) my 12V power supply comes into my power module and is split - 12V to LAC and 6V to Rx. B +W wires from Rx to LAC. An additional 6V servo is connected to same Rx and it functions fine. The Actuator does NOT function! Ive contacted Actuonix and the tech suggests faulty LAC. Can you make any other diagnosis or am I looking at a new LAC? ( I just recieved this one from Robotshop yesterday) Thanks
Can you provide a few clear photos of the setup with the wires clearly labeled? We would neve rsuggest cutting the wires - the power pin from the receiver can be removed from the connector and covered with electric tape.
robotshop.com/content/ZIP/do … on-lac.zip
The actuator connects to X4 with potentiometer center going to P.
The RC connector goes to X3, and power is connected to X6 at - and +
RC Servo Interface Mode: This is a standard hobby-type remote-control digital servo interface, compatible with servos and receivers from manufacturers like Futaba™ and Hi-Tec™. The desired actuator position is input to the LAC on connector X6 pin 3 as a positive 5 Volt pulse-width signal. A 1 ms pulse commands the controller to fully retract the actuator, and a 2 ms pulse signals full extension. Connector X3 can also be used for the RC control signal, and uses the standard 3 pin 0.1" spacing typical on most hobby servo receivers. Do not connect power to both X6 and X3 at the same time (If the supply voltages differ, large currents will flow).
You also need to confirm your RC is sending appropriate signals (check the transmitter’s battery and ensure the receiver is getting power). The LAC accepts only 1ms to 2ms (not the full 500us to 2500us).
Last, you need to check the potentiometers P1 (speed), P2 (limits) and P3 (sensitivity).
GOT IT!!! Everything is working now. Thanks for the advice