I am trying to use Fra-78 linear actuator as a steering servo for a large scale RC sand crawler I built. I purchesed the Fir-121 control board to control the actuator. So far I have I have gotten no responce from the rc transmitter. I am using an external 12v power source. I connected the actuator with its built in pot to the X4 input. I tried reversing the motor poles and all combinations of the pot wires. I connected the RC reciever to the X3 input just the black and white. I tried connecting the ground to the power supply ground with no change. Most times when the power is turned on and the reviever is connected the actuator just fully retracts or extends depending on the polarity the motor is connected to. Once again I get no response from the reviever inputs. I need this done in a few days please help! I have tried messing with the endpoint, speed, an accuracy adjustments. I don’t know what else to do.
I have noticed the green led on my control board does flicker a little when I move the control stick on my RC transmitter. Still the actuator fully extends as soon as power is applied and stays there regardless of any input or setup.
I made some progress. If I manually retract the actuator and plug it in it will extend when I move the transmitter stick, but it will not retract or move to center, what is going on here?
Also, where can I get the program to hook up the usb? I downloaded the file for the controller but it only has the two .pdf files and one .dll. What do I run the .dll with?
The 121 is the controller ang the 89 is the actuator. I am almost positive they are compataible. It’s a simple setup. 12v power to the board, connect the motor, white whire from the reciever to the “RC” input, connect the black reciever wire to the supply ground, them just hook up to the potentiometer. I can only get any movement with the blue being connected to the wiper port. The motor it’s self says the wiper is yello but the. .pdf says its the blue wire.
This is pasted from my confirmation email. Sorry for the confusion. I should have changed the post when I figured out my typo. I have still had no luck with it.
Firgelli Automation 12VDC 35lb Force Linear Actuators with Limit Switch
Product code :
RB-Fra-78 1 0 $129.99 $129.99
Firgelli Technologies Linear Actuator Control Board
Product code :
RB-Fir-121 1 0 $40.00 $40.00
Thanks for the info, its possible I don’t have the pot hooked up correctly. I will send a pic if i can’t get it to work tomorrow. I also assumed the lac board already connected all the ground wires. The instructions said my RC receiver must also share the common ground is that correct?
Her is my setup. This is extremely simple, I have taken on projects far more complex than this. With it set up this way I get no movement from the actuator. I am going to try disconnecting the pot and jumping power to the wiper lead and see if I can get movement that way, but I have already powered the LAC on with out it connected and got no result. I think it should have traveled to one end then stopped. I am starting to suspect a manufacturing defect in the LAC or possibly the actuator. How can I test to see if they function porperly? How can I get the computer program to test some functions that way? I only have a few days to get this going, any further assistance would be greatly appreciated.
My attempt to emulate the pot signal by jumping from the wiper input to the pot reference inputs produced no results. However, I checked the voltage coming out of the wiper wire while connecting the actuator directly to my power source, and it moved smoothly from 3.3v to ~.3v as the actuator traveled from one end to the other. That tells me at the least that there is nothing wrong with the actuator or internal potentiometer.
First, thanks for all your fast responses. I tested the potentiometer and the resistance varied smoothly from 0 to 10 k ohm, just as it should. I have already tried with the dials turned fully clockwise with no success. Now the green led on the LAC is not lighting up. There is still a small spark when I connect the power source so it must be doing something.
I tried switching the Blue and White wires already with no result. Most times when I power the LAC on the green led doesn’t even light up and I can’t get any movement. It must be a manufacturer up defect.
You indicate you purchased RB-Fra-78; this product does not have a linear potentiometer for feedback. Can you clarify?
Even more lost now… where did RB-Fir-89 come into the picture? The subject of the thread is "Fra-78 to Fir-121. RB-Fir-89 is a 6V, L12 actuator and RB-Fra-89 is a 400lb, 12V linear actuator that does not have position feedback.
On the actuator, the connections are as follow:
Red = Positive
Black = Negative
White = Potentiometer Reference
Yellow = Potentiometer Wiper (position signal)
Blue = Potentiometer Reference
Note that the potentiometer needs to be powered via the white and blue wires. What you may be seeing is that the LAC picks up no voltage and as such retracts the actuator fully. Can you send us a clear image of the setup? Last, ensure you have common ground between the actuator, LAC and the battery.
Correct, though you should be fine if it’s connected to the LAC (no need to run a separate wire). It’s likely the wire for the pot (GND) is not common.
Your setup seems ok. We have contacted Firgelli to see if they have any suggestions and have references this thread.
If you have a multimeter you can test the potentiometer to see if the resistance varies. Please rotate all the onboard potentiometers are turned fully clockwise and cycle power to load the new settings.
Sounds like the LAC. Sounds like we’ll proceed with an RMA but let’s wait until Firgelli has taken a look at the thread to see if there’s something wrong with the setup as opposed to the unit itself.
The reply from the manufacturer:
“In the past we have seen some FA actuators with reversed potentiometers. Please try reversing the Blue and White wires to resolve this issue. We will add a note to the documentation to clarify the wiring of FA actuators.”
Tell us if this helps.
Let’s proceed with an RMA exchange - we’ll likely send you a replacement with a return label. Please contact us via the Support Center (exchanges / repairs dept). Indicate your invoice or order number as well and the product code. You can also reference this thread. Did you try turning all the blue potentiometers?