Why are 120v Linear Actuators hard to find?

[Richard D]

I need a water resistant 120 volt 24" stroke linear actuator for a gate opener. Most I see are 12 volt. Why is this?

 

[Worsedog]

I would imagine the safety factor and ease of reversal of low voltage DC versus high voltage AC in an outdoor environment.

 

[kwb]

It also makes it very easy to make the thing work when the power goes out.

 

[Worsedog]

It also makes it very easy to make the thing work when the power goes out.

That too

 

[kbs2244]

I have 2 from free Treadmill machines
About 16 inches travel. (From memory.)

They do not get much use.
They are for changing the slope.
They can be full of dust bunnies though.

 

[Richard D]

It also makes it very easy to make the thing work when the power goes out.

Just sold me on 12v. Car battery and a maintainer. Now I need to figure out a remote control.

 

[mike93lx]

Just sold me on 12v. Car battery and a maintainer. Now I need to figure out a remote control.

Cheap aftermarket car keyless system? Muliple buttons, 12v, convenient remotes

 

[Richard D]

Maybe a garage door brain? That's how my rear gate operates. The guy I bought my house from built it from scratch. He's dead now or I would have him hook me up on this ftont gate.

 

[ard]

Plus it can be powered by a solar set up.

MFG builds a 12VDC unit. Done

Then offers an AC option, which is a 120VAC to 12VDC power supply
Offers a 12V battery back up
Offers a solar panel to power the battery if no 120 is around

All work with that basic 12vdc operator

Plus no UL issues- they buy an off-the-shelf UL listed 120/12 converter.

 

[Bert_]

To my knowledge there are no A/C powered actuators, 12 and 24V DC seem prevalent.

I've worked on some equipment that uses such a system (24V actuator, batteries and an A/C charger) and they were a pain. A couple years ago they were redesigned, new units use a 3ph gear motor and a VFD plus a couple limit switches. Way more reliable now.
This may be a bit overkill for your setup though.

 

[rustyjames]

Just sold me on 12v. Car battery and a maintainer. Now I need to figure out a remote control.

Ebay, search "12 volt remote control" even the very cheap ones work amazingly well.

 

[rayra]

Because in the market most gates are remotely located, far from 120VAC power and are run from 12VDC/24VDC batteries and solar panels.

And most gates within easy reach of 120VAC get chain-drives, as they're wheeled and on more solid driveways and tracks.

Just the way the market breaks out.

 

[Richard D]

Yes solar is the way.

 

[Richard D]

Thanks all.