You guys run this shit and know this shit so I figured I would ask the right crowd :laughing:
I am building a light bar to hold 4-5 HID's and want to make it adjustable to lay flat. I am looking at this actuator:
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=5-1577-4&catname=electric

SPECIFICATIONS

* Stroke 100 mm (3.93")
* Voltage 12 DC
* Push/Pull Ratings
Dynamic 107 lbs. max
Static 500 lbs. max
* Extension Speed
No Load 0.59 in/sec
Max Load 0.39 in/sec
* Amps
No Load 0.6
Full Load 3.4



* Duty 20%
* Enclosure IP54
* Pin Holes 5/16"
* Retracted Length 246 mm (9.69")
* Shaft Dia. 20 mm (0.787")
* Size 10-1/4" x 1-1/2" x 3"
* Shpg. 5 lbs.


Looking at that one because I can run this controller and have a preset "all down" or "all up" or anything in between.
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=5-1577-C&catname=electric

I figure a 500lb static would bend the light bar before the actuator and 100lbs should be more than enough to rotate the lights 90*

If all is good, you have a better product or I am just wrong let me know.
Thanks

100lb should be fine. That is a good amount of force.

Have you given this thread a read?
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php/13109-Electrically-actuated-lightbar-setup

100lb should be fine. That is a good amount of force.

Have you given this thread a read?
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php/13109-Electrically-actuated-lightbar-setup

that thread did not help much :laughing: :flipoff2:

The fun is going to be setting up the actuator location and linkage.

100 lbs would be enough to hold the lights up but it might not be enough to lift the lights. 4" stroke is pretty short so the light rack is going to have the leverage advantage. It all depends on the design but I would look for a longer stroke or more power.

100 lbs would be enough to hold the lights up but it might not be enough to lift the lights. 4" stroke is pretty short so the light rack is going to have the leverage advantage. It all depends on the design but I would look for a longer stroke or more power.

problem I am having is packaging. I am doing a light rack on a winshield bar in front of the jeep like this

http://www.jkowners.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=14129&stc=1&d=1259118732

so everything needs to be below the roof line. This way the bar is the high point to smack on parking garages and drive threws :flipoff2:

If I was doing a buggy the solution would be simple and just run the actuator right through the middle of the roof. But with this I will either have to run it at an angle (a 4" throw will work) or cantilever it with the actuator either running up the side of the A pillar or horizontal behind the lights.

I have done up the templates for all of them but the simplist is the 4" throw angled down from the top tube of the windshield bar to the lower 3rd of the right bar. It will get the full 90*+ of rotation and makes everything clean.

100 lbs would be enough to hold the lights up but it might not be enough to lift the lights. 4" stroke is pretty short so the light rack is going to have the leverage advantage. It all depends on the design but I would look for a longer stroke or more power.

It's rated at 500lbs static and 100lbs dynamic.

Should be more than plenty.

after more measuring and making "working" templates I found I had my cross bar too low to work right :shaking: so its going to be a 6" throw going from the base of the A pillar to a lever off the back of the light rack.
packaging is going to be tight to keep the actuator semi-protected and not blocking veiw out the windshield :laughing: