Is it possible to control a 12V Linear Actuator with a Victor SPX motor controller? Is there a better way? Thank you
Possible? Yes. HOWEVER, details will depend on the actuator itself, the method you’re using to control the controller, and how much risk you’re willing to take with extension limits.
Limitations: Must be a brushed DC motor on the linear actuator, drawing <60A current continuous. Does not have integrated sensor inputs (for things like limit switches).
For just extending and retracting, you’d tell the controller “run this way” or “run the other way” at whatever speed you want. (Your choice of PWM or CAN.) The problem is stopping it before it self-destructs; for that you’ll want limit switches at the ends of travel and your actuator may already have those. With the SPX you’ll need to feed those back to the robot controller (or other PWM source). With some other controllers you’d be able to just plug them in and program the controller itself.
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Make sure to read the manual and stay within the 20A(?) limit. That’s a great way to control one though.
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