How to get position feedback from Linear Actuator PQ12-P ?

Using Arduino Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Hello guys,

I hope everyone is doing well.
Currently, I am trying to control 5 linear actuators from Actounix with Arduino MEGA.
The actuators I have are PQ12-P type. You can see how it looks like from the attached pictures.

I don't know how I should connect the actuators directly to the Arduino, so I used LAC (linear actuator control) board as a medium.
So the connection is: Arduino to LAC, LAC to actuator.

I have been searching online for a few weeks for getting feedback (the datasheet seems vague explaning things).
I cannot find the way to read the position feedback from the actuator and how to control the speed of extension/retraction.
I am certain that it has feedback built in, since that's one of the features of PQ12-P.

Also, if anyone knows how I can get rid of the LAC board, that would be so nice.
The LAC is taking up a lot of space.

Please help if you have any idea.
Thanks a million.

Websites:
PQ12-P: Actuonix PQ12-P Micro Linear Actuators With Feedback
LAC board: Linear Actuator Control Board

Datasheets:
LAC: https://s3.amazonaws.com/actuonix/Actuonix+LAC+Datasheet.pdf
PQ12-P: https://s3.amazonaws.com/actuonix/Actuonix+PQ12+Datasheet.pdf

LAC board layout.JPG

2

Some more information:
If you look at the LAC baord layout attached, I connected the actuator to X1 and the Arduino to X6.
Pin 1 and pin 2 from X6 are connected to ground and 12V power on Arduino respectively.
Pin 5 from X6 is connected to a PWM pin on Arduino. Pin 3 and pin 4 are left unconnected.

3

AidenGK:
1.
Currently, I am trying to control 5 linear actuators from Actounix with Arduino MEGA.

I don't know how I should connect the actuators directly to the Arduino, so I used LAC (linear actuator control) board as a medium.
So the connection is: Arduino to LAC, LAC to actuator.

I have been searching online for a few weeks for getting feedback (the datasheet seems vague explaning things).
I cannot find the way to read the position feedback from the actuator and how to control the speed of extension/retraction.
I am certain that it has feedback built in, since that's one of the features of PQ12-P.

Also, if anyone knows how I can get rid of the LAC board, that would be so nice.
The LAC is taking up a lot of space.

  1. O'k, though arduino Mega is 5V device, pay attention to this note in the docs:

"This input is 5V tolerant, however the % duty cycle range will differ. "

Resistive divider may help to bring voltage down to 3.3V.

  1. You did right, arduino can't drive a motors on itself, it needs a driver - LAC, or you can buy another motor driver.

  2. Have a multimeter? Docs says:

X2 L12–P/L16-P/P16-P/T16-P
actuator connector
Potentiometer Reference Negative (yellow)
Motor Terminal (black)
Motor Terminal (red)
Potentiometer Feedback (wiper) (purple)
Potentiometer Reference Positive (orange)"

Measure voltage at pin 1 , 4, and 5. Seems strange, as another doc says:

Option P – Potentiometer Position Feedback
WIRING: (see next page for pin numbering)
1 – Feedback Potentiometer negative reference rail
2 – Actuator Motor Power
3 – Actuator Motor Power
4 – Feedback Potentiometer positive reference rail
5 – Feedback Potentiometer wiper "

I can't see a trace, may be some design reason to swap 4 and 5, so on LAC X2 pin-4 measure voltage and vary position same time, see if it's follows stroke. It would be your feedback control.

4

Hello,

According to the datasheet, you can read the position using an analog ADC input.

Actuonix+PQ12+Datasheet

Option P – Potentiometer Position Feedback
WIRING: (see next page for pin numbering)
1 – Feedback Potentiometer negative reference rail
2 – Actuator Motor Power
3 – Actuator Motor Power
4 – Feedback Potentiometer positive reference rail
5 – Feedback Potentiometer wiper

Reading a Potentiometer (analog input)

Speed can be controlled by using PWM

analogWrite()

Maybe this can help you understand (the actuator is linear, and the motor is rotating, but they are similar principles, electrically)

Arduino DC Motor Speed and Direction L293D

5

Thank you so much, FantomT and rtek1000.
Your replies brought some new ideas to me. I will do some tests and see if I can control the actuators.

6

@AidenGK were you able to solve the problem?

I am also trying the same thing: Control the speed and position of my linear motor. I also have the LAC.