Arduino Linear Actuator Position Control // Linear Actuator with Position Feedback Return to Center

Find Science Fun Innovations, LLC on Facebook @sciencefun4u.
In this video tutorial, I show how to control the position of a linear actuator using an Arduino and a BTS7960 or L298N motor control board.
The Arduino source code the hookup schematics are available here: sciencefuninno...
The following are affiliate links for products used in this video. Purchasing from these links will not increase your cost, but may result in a small commission for my business. These commissions help me purchase products to use in future videos. Your support is greatly appreciated.
L298N Motor Control Board amzn.to/3s7z4S2
BTS7960 Motor Control Board amzn.to/3J0E7ug
Arduino Uno amzn.to/347XUJJ
Linear Actuator with potentiometer ebay.us/6bnYWO
Linear Potentiometer ebay.us/FsxQXz

[@imadjawad4408]

Great content! this KZbin channel is every DIY's treasure! !

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@khallingstad]

Awesome video just what I needed to learn more about linear actuator and motor controller. Keep up the great work!

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Glad you liked it!

[@hippielook]

Fantastic! That's what I've been waiting for. Thank you so much!

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@randolphpermejo1285]

Hello! I’m trying to connect my L298N to the Arduino and trying to power it with the 5V output. However, the Arduino is not powering up. I also powered it up with the VIN and GND connected to the 12V battery and that powered it up. Now, my problem is is that I can’t get power into the rc transmitter and I can’t get control of the actuator. Any tips? Thank you in advance

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Weird, when you power it with 12 V do you get 5V on the output of the L298N? Sounds like the problem might be witht he L298N.

[@billbayer5526]

This is the most timely video, I think, that has ever come across my lap!! I'm building a center-articulating 4x4 Cub Cadet tractor and am going to use a linear actuator for the steering. Until this video, I had absolutely NO idea how I was going to do it!! Sweet...THANKS!! What would I do differently if I just have a hall-effect at the end of a steering shaft instead of using a remote control receiver? Thanks again, Bill

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Glad it was helpful. What exactly would you be doing with the hall sensor?

[@billbayer5526]

@@ScienceFunInnovations I will be using it on a lawn tractor I'm building. I actually just posted a video of it last night with the linear actuator mocked up. I will have a steering wheel with a shaft that terminates at a hall effect sensor. If I steer full left, for example, the sensor will go to .5V. Steer full right and it goes to 4.5V. Steering centered and it's at 2.5V. So it's really similar to what you have in your video but instead of using an R/C transmitter, I'll be using a hall effect sensor.

[@sr71Serene]

Would it be possible to control in the same way a linear rail actuator driven by a stepper motor? To gain high accuracy.

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Different code and different motor controllers, but yes this could easily be done with stepper motors. Thanks!

[@krispykreme2115]

Hey I’m trying to create a stretching device and I need to measure the force of the current stretch and be able to set a maximum force on the motor and have it retrace or stop at that force. And I need to to be able to adjust the max force. Any recommendations?

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

I would use a load cell like this one amzn.to/4d5PNvi and a load cell amplifier like the hx711 amzn.to/3ymOQQa.

[@tommyschooling7221]

In my project I am not using a rc controller. I am using two push button inputs to move from center. How would I adapt code to have a set location the potentiometer uses as center? I can provide more information on project or code I’m trying to use. Sorry in advance, new to arduino projects

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

The code would be very similar, but you would use the button presses to command a new location. I have another video using buttons to control an actuator.

[@gaschneidr]

Nice video! Thanks a lot

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Glad you liked it!

[@sr71Serene]

Would it be possible to change actuator speed using PWM based on how fast you move the knob/lever on a remote controller? Actuator speed to be proportional to remote lever speed? Maybe using map(); Thank you!

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Yes. I have done that in other of my videos.

[@alexanderdakogoljames2495]

How can one use this concept to build a solar tracking system to either push out or retract the linear actuator with respect to a connected temperature sensing device? Can one also, use the L298N(~2A) motor driver together with the linear actuator to tilt the weight of 100Watt solar panel? Please, I need your response and guide to carry out a project.

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Check out my other video about my solar tracker. Also, check out my other actuator videos which should answer most of your questions I think.

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

The L298N will probably work, but I would use a BTS7960 if it were me. They can handle heavy loads.

[@hannahreiner344]

great tutorial! what size wires do you use. I am trying to use a 12 V linear actuator with a current load of 4.5?

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

I use wires that can handle the stall current for the actuator. You will have to look up that value for your actuator and size the wires accordingly.

[@codysimonson6260]

I'm in the starting phases of using an OEM wastegate linear actuator and using a PWM signal from an aftermarket engine computer sent to an Arduino. The Arduino will convert those to a pwm signal that will be pushed to either the retract or extend pins of the controller depending on whether the engine is hitting target boost pressure or target actuator position. My question though is, since the original PWM from the engine computer is controlled via PID, do you think its worth it to use the braking function of the motor controller or not? The original PWM will be constantly hanging throught the rev range.

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Sounds like the PID will take care of it.

[@andrewtitcombe8378]

Using an Arduino analogue to digital converter. I suppose depending on the length of the actuator. What resolution of distance traveled would i get? As i want to control 4 actuators to run level with each other.. My other option is digital encoded actuators to control height. I know a company that sells a controller that works with opto and hall effect . But despite them sending out a replacement controller. I still have problems . So i have decided to build my own. Mostly to fault find , but Maybe as a final solution . Trying to decide on a module that will work with amp requirements is difecult from youtube videos . As some suggest reducing the voltage will reduce the amps required. This goes against all i know regarding power. ie Watts .

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

For resulution, divide the stroke length by 1024. Or if you use a 12 bit microcontroller you would divide by 4096. Pretty good resolution. Lowering voltage will lower amps/watts, but will also reduce speed and force. Better to get a stronger motor controller that can handle the full power needs.

[@rommelsanchez9608]

Hello, I have a question. Do you think that actuator can be used in a homemade motion simulator?

[@rommelsanchez9608]

I saw some videos where they use a 12v motor with a potentiometer to tell the arduino what position it is in. I don't know if that actuator can do the same job.

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Some actuators have built in potentiometers. See my other videos on position tracking.

[@rabiahussain4953]

I want to rotate the egg tray with a linear actuator in such a way that tray will move from 0 positions to + 45 degrees and from +45 to - 45 degrees. now for that what I need is one linea actuator with motor driver and Arduino? and what linear actuator should I use, I have seen some people using 3 pins actuator please guide me as soon as possible.

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

If you are need three positions, you need a 5 wire actuator. If you just want fully retracted or fully extended, you can use a plain actuator.

[@garysherwood3136]

What speed actuator do I need for a motion simulator? Trying to decide between a motor or the actuator. Thanks for you video!

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Most actuators are pretty slow, but they do make high speed ones. Mine is only probably 1/2" per second.

[@harryjosephrequieron7166]

hey man! great vid, can you have a vid on how to control a linear actuator through an arduino uno automatically? like by using some sensors to make it happen. hope you'll see this! have a great day man!

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

I have other linear actuator videos that may help. And I am working on another very soon. Check out my other videos on my channel, they may help.

[@jahanzaibkhan4018]

Hi if i use power from l298n my circuit works but if i use separate 5v to pot red and black and arduino red and black the actuator make noises and doest work i am very confused here. I connected red wire of +5 with arduino 5ve and pot red wire same with l298n what is happening here?

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

You probably need to connect the GND's together so that there is a common reference.

[@jahanzaibkhan4018]

both adapters are different so connecting ground will make no problem right? @@ScienceFunInnovations

[@Ayo04Soul]

Hi, how would you go about converting an existing 5 pin wired controller to a wireless remote controller. I need to either replace the wired controller or add a wireless controller to a recliner chair. The chair and wired controller work okay but is I need to control it from the other part of the room. The wired controller can be removed at the (180) 5 pin connect so I think I need a way to read the signals from the wired controller.

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Check out my other video where I used a remote control to control a 5 wire actuator.

[@mateooliveras910]

Hey I am working on a project at the moment for solar trackers, Im trying to figure out if I could use a BTS7960 board to control a 2 wire L.A. Have my 4 LDR sensors sent to arduino to command a signal to go directly to the BTS7960. I would not need a 5 wire or neccessarily track positions because that would be derived from the LDRS. Am I thinking of that correctly. Mechanical engineer that is nothing but a novice on EE aspects.

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Absolutely. For a solar tracker you can use 2 wire LA's. I have a solar tracker video using a small dc motor, but LA would react the exact same. Good luck.

[@Mroswaldo16]

What do you recommend for a on off on switch & has positions setting too? Ie. Im using an on off on switch & actuator to bring down a reverse bucket on my jet ski, i had to adjust the stop inside the actuator. But i need a faster actuator & they are 3" & 4".

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Not sure exactly what you are doing, but linear actuators are pretty slow. You may want to use a 1" actuator and a 4:1 lever arm. That would make it travel 4X as fast.

[@lundebc]

Could you do this without a built in potentiometer? Perhaps use logic/counter to reverse for the same time it was on? Will have to play with that idea.

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Yes you could. I have several other videos about controlling linear actuators. Hopefully another video later this month as well.

[@pietheijn-vo1gt]

I did this. It's not very accurate, the difference in the time it takes to reach different stroke positions can be quite significant (it's almost linear, but there are errors, even between going from 0 to 100 multiple times)

[@lindsay2145]

I want to control 7 actuators Is there a board designed to handle 7 actuators at once. I have a joy stick control box that can handle the 7 actuators

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

An Arduino Mega might have enough input/outputs.

[@martinengen]

Nice video. I am making a stearing for my outboard electrical engine on my boat with a linear actoator (With position feedback) but vant to use a potentionmeter instead of reciver from controller. can i use the same code for that?

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

The code would be very similar. You would just command the linear actuator to go to the same position as the potentiometer. Should be pretty simple.

[@SAMJAM1107]

I have a similar problem as you. Have you created a code that uses a potentiometer?

[@putraadriansyah8082]

will these linear actuators strong enough to operate clutch fork to work as replacement for hydarulic clutch operating assembly?

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

They are very strong, but move pretty slowly. It would depend on how fast you need it to move.

[@diegodominguez2785]

Hi! I am trying to build a close loop feedback system using a linear actuator that is able to maintain a constant force. I am using it to break some polycarbonate specimens that will deform as I apply the load and thus I need it to adjust the force as the specimen deforms. do you have any advice on this matter? thank you in advance!

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

I would use a load cell or force sensitive resitor to give the force feedback. If the load is < desired amount, have it extend and if > desired amount, have it retract. Check out some of my other videos which may give you some ideas.

[@kifahzaidan4505]

Hi, Thanks a lot, its really greate effort and great knowledge. i need to do a project for a preset position linear actuator with a DC motor abd a stepper motor, with arduino Mega or UNO but and push buttonsi am not able to write the code and the scheme, can you please help. Regards

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

I would love to help, but I have way too many other projects going at this time. Best wishes.

[@waizghaffar116]

Can we read the resistance value in Arduino from code with using any ohm meter if we move the actuator to random position?

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Not sure exactly what you are asking, but yes you should be able to read any position.

[@cjn316]

Can you control it via wired joystick?

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

You could wire a joystick to an Analog Input on the Arduino.

[@MuhammadAwais-jh2dy]

If actuator is extending and also moving in rotation what should we do

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Moving in rotation? Not sure why an actuator would do that...

[@shewagdhanush1391]

What happens if you rotate the wheel rapidly back and forth?

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

The linear actuator moves very slowly. So it would probably wouldn't move much.

[@shewagdhanush1391]

@@ScienceFunInnovations 👍

[@eternalcosmos9]

Dope

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Thanks for watching!

[@Thechandran7]

Super

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Thanks

[@fabianannequin4104]

imagine implementing this on an outboard motor :D

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

I have had that suggestion before... :-)

[@alba7142]

impossible d'avoir accès a la page pour les code ARDUINO , 404 not found

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

So sorry, try this one sciencefuninnovation.gumroad.com/

[@alba7142]

@@ScienceFunInnovations super merci de votre réponse rapide

[@judah2kx]

Great project.. Where can I get the code?

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

sciencefuninnovation.gumroad.com/

[@marinenav8]

There are source code & schematic ?

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

sciencefuninnovation.gumroad.com

[@suphotdiy2645]

Please take the source code for me please.

[@ScienceFunInnovations]

Available here: sciencefuninnovation.gumroad.com/