Advice Needed Supplier of Optical Actuators ?

[moonbase]

Hi,

Would anyone please be able to advise me if Optical actuators for a satellite dish are still available?
Or, can the reed switch in an actuator simply be replaced with an optical switch? I know the 5V wire needs to be connected for optical but I am not sure if it is possible to "mod" a reed model to an optical model.

I am looking for a short stroke length optical actuator, maximum stroke of 10 inches but 8 inch or 6 inch models considered. The only SuperJack short stroke length actuators are the DARL series but these come with a reed switch.

I think that the SuperJack HAOL actuator series that were optical are now out of production?


Rgds

 

[Channel Hopper]

Have a look at the US company Thomson, they used to do a range of linear actuators, with the option of Hall effect positioning.

http://www.thomsonlinear.com/website/com/eng/products/actuators/electrak_ppa_dc.php

 

[Archived-1]

I have been looking at the Thomson ones, a bit pricey, but I will go for this model when funds permit.
http://catalog.vincor.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TS-7822238

 

[Costactc]

I'm not sure if optical is available, but I have always used VonWeise actuators with excellent results and no sound movement. Here's a shop in Florida that carries them and much more affordable:

http://www.satellitedish.com/logme.htm

 

[battenfan]

Single Hall output (PNP)
Movement per Single Hall pulse:
LA362C: Actuator = 0.1 mm per count
LA363C: Actuator = 0.2 mm per count
LA363B: Actuator = 0.3 mm per count
LA363A: Actuator = 0.4 mm per count
LA365A: Actuator = 0.7 mm per count
Frequency:
Frequency is 30-125 Hz on Single
Hall output depending on load and
spindle
Output voltage min. VIN - 1V
Max. current output: 12mA
Max. 680nF
N.B. For more precise
measurements, please contact
LINAK A/S.

http://www.linak.com/techline/configurator.aspx
I'm not sure what they mean.

But what kind of control box do you have that requires an optical actuator? I have no doubt it's possible to make a simple interface to match them.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Optical and Hall effect need a three wire solution, usually a 5 volt supply on top of the usual pulse and ground wires

 

[Archived-1]

Also a 1mm count would be better than a 2mm, I am unsure what the count is on the one I am using atm, but I often see it miss the highest signal level, very important when chasing weak signals.

 

[moonbase]

...
But what kind of control box do you have that requires an optical actuator? I have no doubt it's possible to make a simple interface to match them.

I have a SuperJack positioner that can control an optical actuator.

 

[Archived-1]

I have a SuperJack positioner that can control an optical actuator.

I guess your tracking inclined orbits mb ?, if so is there much happening on any satellites please ?.