I was looking up the data sheet of some linear actuators today before ordering some, at full load the 12 volt motor would draw 7.2 amp, the 24 volt motor at full load would draw 4.2 amp, I want to know if I run the 24 volt motor on 12 volts will it (a) cause any damage to the motor
(b) draw less amps,
and (c) provide the same amount of pushing power.
cause any damage to the motor
No.
draw less amps
Than what? If it is the same motor but run a 12v instead of 24v then yes. If it is a 24v motor running at 12V verses a 12V motor running at 12V then who knows, it depends on the motor.
provide the same amount of pushing power.
Running at half the voltage ... No
Thankyou Grumpy_Mike the actuators are rated at 600 n, but the overload in my 12 volt circuit is set at 3.8 amps, I am assuming that if I order an actuator with a 24 volt motor it will exert more force before it trips the overload compared to a 12 volt actuator, or am I completely wrong??? I hope that makes sense.
Yes a 24V motor running at the same current as a 12V motor is going to give you more torque. This is because for a given current you have twice the power going into the motor.
If you run the 24v on 12 volts the amperage has to be higher. Assuming they are basically the same motor, the 24 v motor will draw about the same amps as the 12v (if run on 12v).
Power = ExI 12 x 7.2 = 86.4
---------------- 24 x 4.2 = 100.8
If they are different and designed to run at their respective voltage, the 24v, run on 12 volt may not be able to handle the higher current needed to turn the motor.