I’m having troubles figuring out what I need to control a 12v linear actuator for steering that will return to neutral when released with an RC controller. Also to control a 12v motor forward and reverse. Any help is appreciated!
@youbet5 Welcome to the RobotShop Community. Do you have an idea of the force, stroke and speed needed?
You ultimately need a linear actuator which can somehow accept an RC signal. This can be done one of two ways:
1 - Linear actuator with potentiometer feedback and a controller like the LAC from Firgelli:
These can be used with Actuonix’s smaller -P (potentiometer) series and certain larger linear actuators with pot feedback:
https://www.robotshop.com/en/actuators.html
2 - Linear actuator which can accept RC input directly, like Actuonix’s -R (RC control) and -I mini actuator series:
https://www.robotshop.com/en/actuonix-en.html
ServoCity also has a lineup of heavier duty linear actuators with RC input which RobotShop does not carry at this time, but might be able to special order.
After that, all you need is a joystick which automatically re-centers when released.
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