Linear actuator not working properly

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

Hi guys,
I have a 12v linear actuator, and when i power it up, I hear a click but nothing really happens. However, when I gently push the shaft, it snaps to the correct position. When I cut the power, it retracts as it should. I have had linear actuators working autonomously before, for them to suddenly work strangely like this. I have tested the batteries on a multimeter and they are giving out the correct voltage. Why do I need to push the shaft for it to work?
Please can you help?

Thanks in advance.

2022: The Year in Review
2

Because the actuator is faulty, perhaps
Are there any adjustments that allow you to set the end points ?

3

Measure the voltage across the device when it is told to move :thinking:

4

so measure the voltage across the terminals of the actuator?

5

the multimeter says its only 3.51v? why is that if i'm plugging in 12v?

6

Yes, when the actuator is told to move.

7

ok. so how my actuator is'nt getting enough voltage?

8

What is supplying the voltage to the actuator ?

9

Show us a good schematic of your proposed circuit.
Show us a good image of your ‘actual’ wiring.
Give links to components.

An actuator rated at 12v would need 12v across its terminals to move.

10

ok i'll go and make schematic

11

Here is the schematic!

schematic
schematic701×314 10.5 KB

12

That does not seem right! IF it is NOT powered, what makes it move? Are you SURE the actuator is not already at the end of it's movement and an internal stop is disconnecting until you reverse the voltage to the actuator?

13

yes. i watched it very closely. when i press the button, it clicks but the shaft does not move.

14

Not enough information. Please post a link to the actuator specifications and to the battery.

15

What does it do when you reverse the polarity of the power?

16

I tried the wires both ways and the behaviour is the same.

17

Post the datasheet for the actuator, tell us what batteries you are using.

18

Time to provide a link to a data sheet or similar spec for your actuators. You have them and we don't.

19

ok. i'll go to the product page and look for a data sheet. I'm using 8xAAA batteries

20

here is the product page. i couldn't find a link to a datasheet. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DC8JB11/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1