I need help picking an actuator for a home project... no idea where to start

[ErinH]

Alright, here's the deal. I need a linear actuator, yet I have no idea where/what to get.

The purpose is to lift a coffin lid for a Halloween prop. I'm guessing the weight is 35lbs MAX. Stroke would probably be about 4"-8" range.

I know what I need it to do, yet I have no idea where to find one that will do this for relatively cheap. I've checked e-bay and these puppies are at least $75+shipping... much more than I want to spend on something that I have no idea will work or not. Beyond that, I've never used a linear actuator in my life so I'm not sure what I would need to do to get an actuator to work: is it simple plug and play as far as hooking it up to home electric (110-120 VAC) and that's it? Is there a potentiometer (speed control) on devices like this or is it full open/full closed?

Any ideas where to start? Someone care to help me figure out this issue?

 

[Adam]

Erin, is this for a one-shot opening, or do you want to do it repeatedly throughout the night?

 

[ErinH]

A couple times throughout the day/night.

 

[unreal.freak]

you could consider using an old air shock.....you know....the ones people used to use to jack up the rear of their muscle cars with. And compressed air of course.

Peace,
Tommy

 

[Adam]

I was thinking that you could use a relatively inexpensive spring system, if you're only doing it a small number of times. You would probably have to manually put the lid back down, though.

 

[race4aliving]

Try the Grainger cataloge.

 

[yettitheman]

Try the Grainger cataloge.

We have a winner!
I wonder if B&W Electronics would have this.... more geared twords industrial cabling and junk...

 

[ErinH]

Try the Grainger cataloge.

already did.

They don't have anything with a long enough stroke that's not $200+

 

[race4aliving]

See if you might have a dealer near who used to sell those old big satallite dishes. they were rotated by a low voltage linear actuator, they may have an old one laying around.

 

[race4aliving]

Maybe you can find an old washing machine motor , make your self a cam shaped end for the shaft and use a hall effect sensor to turn the motor off at the end of rotation of the lobe. control the times you want the whole effect to occur with a timer.