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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Renovations => Topic started by: steve on February 17, 2025, 04:45:48 pm

Title: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: steve on February 17, 2025, 04:45:48 pm
replacing those lifting shocks with 12vdc linier actuator
May have to add that next years project list .... maybe a theatrical fog machine that triggers on opening or would that be too much  :D
Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: Hans&Marjet on February 17, 2025, 06:05:33 pm
Steve,

While you are in/under the engine cover have you given any thought to replacing those lifting shocks with 12vdc linier actuators? That LED lighting is a supper upgrade to the OEM lighting.

Mike
Mike,
Been thinking of doing the linier actuators...any recommendations on brands or weight capacity ?
Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: Pamela & Mike on February 17, 2025, 06:32:47 pm
Hans,

No recommendation on brand as I used what ever I could find on Amazon nothing special. Seems like the last ones were about $75 each. I think everyone I have helped has used #300 each.  I have had a couple of PMs wanting info so I should start another thread to address this mod for others in the future. Till I can get something together if you hunt actuator under member saddlesore it will get you started.

Mike
Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: steve on February 17, 2025, 06:54:10 pm
One actuator install thread: 50/50 Split Queen adjustable bed Install almost done (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=36564)

And I found Mike's photos in this thread:  Bed gas struts 98 u295 (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=47471.msg481316#msg481316)
Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: kgrover on February 18, 2025, 07:59:06 am
Mike,
Been thinking of doing the linier actuators...any recommendations on brands or weight capacity ?

Weight capacity would depend on who you want to lift with it. If it's just you and the wife, or the dogs are joining in on the ride too. :D

I've got one like the ones shown in the links that has been opening my greenhouse roof for a few years now without issue. The roof is 8'x12' 2x4 framing and it handles it fine. The ones with the built in limit switches are nice since they stop at the end of travel and you don't need extra switches to turn them off.
Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: Peter on February 23, 2025, 04:48:36 pm
Does anyone have the amazon link to the 300lb 16 inch linear actuators  everyone is talking about?
Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: Pamela & Mike on February 23, 2025, 08:23:25 pm
Peter,

I believe these are the ones I used

ECO-WORTHY 12V 16 Inch Stroke Linear Actuator 330lbs Maximum Lift with... (https://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-Actuator-Maximum-Mounting-Brackets/dp/B00NM8H5SM/ref=sr_1_3?crid=24RJ57NRXV5KN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._fc457h1LT9RigIS8VqpOmLQ_lZfYbF8u3nwSmOVuiK3j453BIDPM96RBxZsjHSlZqqS3uYei8UbCSmxCA-cIVaaaCO80QlJWkTKLShSrFoEUcb-sKgYjTYzHdoggyTmR5Aj9xvqHM4VezvTYE2yz3zEioLqNbYOS2mGsUCVKLghdhB1BpaqHsA3Y9mNlCxdcb7MeObyjdyUaSZrRMAp9Ct4BCEKqNMZTIb-FBGwijw.7-Iw0wAwdVUB0F5Fy6Rg-VS3CTg78w4axYkip2CfQRc&dib_tag=se&keywords=16%2Blinear%2Bactuator%2B12v&qid=1740360010&sprefix=16%22%2Blinier%2B%2Caps%2C6319&sr=8-3&th=1)

Mike
Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: Peter on February 23, 2025, 08:30:51 pm
Thanks!
Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: Pamela & Mike on February 24, 2025, 03:58:46 pm
I was ask through a PM as to where I mounted the switch so here is a pic.  The actuators were a matches set but not close enough for me so one switch per side. to raise/lower. They are fed through one of these fuses.

Mike
Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: craneman on March 21, 2025, 07:45:01 am
Hi Mike, finally getting to the actuator install and noticed one switch says on and the other off on the switch itself. Should I ignore that? Also are the switches able to reverse polarity as the actuators came with no literature.

Thanks, Chuck
Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: turbojack on March 21, 2025, 08:11:09 am
One thing to think about is if an actuator fails how are you going to get your device open. 

Entregra coaches had actuators that were bolted in place.  When one failed on the engine hatch we had to take a hacksaw through an opening in the grill to cut the actuator.  When replaced, it was held with pins and clips. All we would have to do is pull the clip and knock the pin out

Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: Pamela & Mike on March 21, 2025, 08:40:30 am
Chuck,

Ignore the marks as these switches are center off and on either way. Said another way the switch is on/off/on with on one way is up center is off and the other on is down. These are self centered so they have to be held down to move actuator.

Mike
Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: NevadaBornRvR on May 27, 2025, 07:06:48 pm
Does the Dual Lifts Require a Relay so they Both work at the same time and same Direction?
Title: Re: Linear actuator lifts [split from Re: Updated Bay Lights]
Post by: Pamela & Mike on May 27, 2025, 07:45:16 pm
I bought a matched set with a factory system to keep them running in sink. The factory set up was junk up and down twice and they were over an inch off and getting worse every extend/retract. I tried to build a relay driven system and still didn't get the results I wanted. I went the old school way with 2 switches (one for each side) and this works just fine.

Mike