69MyWay,

Uncle Bob has a way of seeing those tiny details that can really screw up your plans if you don’t do a little homework... he’s probably “been there, done that” a few times. After reading Bob’s post, I took a few minutes off from work (Ok, I’m goofing off for a few) and did a little research for you. You need to check on something before you go a lot farther with plans to use your current actuator. First of all, you need to determine if your “Electrak 1” actuator is the model with limit switches or the model with a potentiometer position signal device.

If your actuator has limit switches, you can only accurately control the “starting” and “stopping” positions. This is going to really make your job difficult if not impossible. And, you are probably going to be looking at an unsafe situation at best.

If you have the model with the potentiometer, you can control intermediate positions between fully retracted and fully extended, but you will probably want to use one of the Electrak control boxes to position the actuator. You will also need to determine which of the control boxes is best suited for your intended use. Keep in mind your need for “lock out” positions when researching the control boxes.

It’s great that you’re trying to use a piece of hardware that you already own, but it might not be the appropriate application for your remote gear selector. But hey, you are on to a solution to a problem - so keep moving forward! Bob has given you a good clue in pointing out that the step motor actuator may be a better selection than the screw drive type.

Again, good luck.

Dan J