I have never used an arduino before. I was wondering how i could program it to move a linear actuator open and closed indefinitely until i stop it. On a cycle.
Thanks
With no more information than you have given, you can't do it.
I would use a 12 volt actuator. What else would you need to know?
flipper13:
I would use a 12 volt actuator. What else would you need to know?
Well, a data sheet would tell whether it was reversible and if the device supplied a position signal and if the device has limit switches and how they work. And if the device is controlled by a pulse signal or is powered by a regular 12 volt motor. And it would tell if your 12 volt was DC or AC.
Paul
I was thinking of getting this one:
this is the one!
Of course the Amazon page gives not a clue as to how much current is required or whether it has position feedback or end limit switches. If operating force is 750 Newtons (76.5 kilograms force or 169 pounds force) at 10mm per seconds, that's about 7.5 Watts mechanical power, if efficiency is 50%, electrical power would be about 15 Watts and current at 12V about 1.25 Amps. I would design for 2.5 Amps. You could use an H-bridge motor driver board rated 2.5 Amps or greater to start / stop / reverse, but you would need to install limit switches or a current sensing / limiting device to prevent running into the end stops and damaging something.
The datasheet (https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2134/8037/files/Mini_Track_Actuator_PA-08.pdf?1873) says that the limit switches and feedback resistor are "optional". The rated "full-load current" is 5 Amps but the stall current could be higher.
Once you figure out how to add the limit switch or resistor feedback options we can help with interface.
You could use a dual relay board and if you get a actuator with feedback you can have the Arduino check its position and reverse it before it bottoms out or anywhere along the way.
This is a bit strange...
The feedback resolution changes with a longer stroke.
At 40-inches, 10 turns gives 1 turn per 4-inches...
If the potentiometer resolution is 10% of a turn - linear resolution is 0.25-inches - a bit sloppy
Hi,
From specs, limit switches are fitted, but not adjustable, so they only work at ends of max and min travel.
Tom.. 
lastchancename:
If the potentiometer resolution is 10% of a turn - linear resolution is 0.25-inches - a bit sloppy
It'll be a lot better than that. You mix up tolerance (of the total 10k value) with overall linearity of the pot.
Yeah, that (10% of a turn) was a worst case wet-finger guess, but a lot less than it could be when driven both directions and allowing for mechanical lash.
Of course that error is proportionally less on the shorter actuators