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Replacing bay lock actuators

May 29, 2012, 01:32:47 pm

Below is a pic of one of the fob controlled actuators that open our bay locks.  I understand they are no longer available.  Could someone post some pics of what the replacement actuator looks like installed?  The replacement actuator that FOT sent me is also shown below.  To me at least, the replacement installation does not look obvious.  I need to replace one in our utility bay.  It is working, but has become very noisy....  like gears are not meshing correctly.  Thanks in advance.

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Re: Replacing bay lock actuators

Reply #1 – May 29, 2012, 08:20:13 pm

It is different. I have to replace one of mine but was waiting a while before I do it. Using the key now and it is cheaper and works all the time.

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Re: Replacing bay lock actuators

Reply #2 – May 30, 2012, 03:20:37 pm

Hi George and others,

I have replaced my actuators several times with the Bulldog brand and others - easily found on EBay and at MCM Electronics. Far cheaper. You do have to check the polarity because the color codes of the wires may vary from brand to brand.

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Re: Replacing bay lock actuators

Reply #3 – May 30, 2012, 08:18:02 pm

Thanks for the info.  Actually I found them on Amazon.  But get this!  I Googled on "lock actuator" and a few other similar phrases.  Found lots of stuff.  Then went to my Google email to check on something else.  When I brought up my gmail page there was a big ad from Amazon for.....you guessed it.... lock actuators!  Big brother is certainly watching! 

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Re: Replacing bay lock actuators

Reply #4 – May 31, 2012, 12:08:13 am

George,

If you do end up using the new actuator, the first thing you probably should do is energize the new actuator and see how the white shaft with the hole in it  moves - out and in or vice versa.  It appears that you will have to mount the actuator in a line with the rod attached to the lock, if that makes sense.  The movement of the actuator shaft will dictate how it is mounted.  If the white shaft stays extended until its energized, you may have to mount the actuator with the shaft out (extended), connected to the rod, so that when it's pulled in it it pulls the rod.

Let us know how this works out.

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Re: Replacing bay lock actuators

Reply #5 – July 03, 2012, 02:55:42 pm

Don you were 100% correct in your description of what to do.  But for some reason I just couldn't "see it."  Yesterday I was able to see one of the new actuators installed on a coach bay at FOT and it all made sense!  The little rod fits into the outside hole on the lock mechanism. perpendicular to the lock.  Then the new actuator is positioned and wired such that it locks/unlocks as needed.  Note, that if the wires are reversed, it will lock when it should unlock and vice versa.  Very simple installation.  Here are some pics of the old and the new.  And thanks for all the advice!

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