I am going to take out the pasesenger side airbag and Im going to make the panel flip up and have a fiberglass piece that holds a tv monitor. I need a motor/actuator to do this. I found a website that has them(selectproducts. com) but the prices seem high, around $200 for a 6 inch actuator. Does anyone know where I can find some at cheaper prices. Thanks

 

Hmmm.....It seems that all the stereo guys on this site are amatures, because the only questioned answered are things like "what size subs should I use?". Does anyone even know what an actuator is?????

O well, anyone know of any good stereo forums?

 

a door actuator? Just bc no one answers your ? asap, doesnt mean we are retarded. Stop being lazy and search around for yourself. Try Ebay. A door actuator is a device that powers the power door locks in the car.

 

you can use a servo instead, you know one of those things for remote control airplanes...

go to your local hobby shop and ask about them...

they should be cheap for a large scale landing gear sevo...

http://www.towerhobbies.com as well

 

I don't think a servo would work, as it doesn't have the torque output necessary to articulate an assembly like that (at least the ones that I have used - I'm sure there are many types out there, but for a 6 in throw, you are looking at either a very large servo, or a bunch of torque to multiply the throw via a lever.) Again, it's an avenue worth exploring, as I have not researched it myself and have only some experience in RC with airplanes and cars.

The only place I have found linear actuators is selectproducts, and yes they are damn expensive, but they do come with the proper stops and the info on their site is pretty good. I would take a look around on the net as suggested.

Please don't come in here and insult the people in this forum when you are asking for help...generally it will get you nowhere. Be patient, as some of us have lives outside of this forum, and don't have the chance to check it every day.

Some of us are competitors, and others are engineers, some, like myself, are both, so please refrain from the use of the word "amature". There is a wide variety of people on this forum, so please don't make generalizations.

If you want some forums that are a bit more technically advanced I would suggest you head over to the following:

carsound.com
termpro.com

The people on the forums there are quite knowledgable and have probably run into this application before.


[Modified by rcurley55, 4:31 PM 5/15/2002]

 

Sorry, for my insulting words My purpose for them was to get a response and it worked. I am glad to see that there are some pro car audio installers that post on this board.

I guess I will have to just brake down and buy the $200 "linear" actuator.

As for the pros, Do you know if anyone has tried to make a c/f sub box and succeded? Im thinking about doing this. And I think if I do it it will separate me from the average competetor at shows.


Thanks

Once again sorry for the insult

 

I'm sure SOMEONE has made a CF enclosure, but never seen anything first hand. An intricate CF enclsoure would be REALLY expensive, as it costs several times the cost of fiberglass.

 

LOL yes about 32$ a yard....ouch

I thought about cheating though, Ill use fiberglass and then use c/f for the last few layers... to get the look

 

first of all a linear actuator and a door lock actuator are 2 completely different things.
no way a servo will work and i dont think theyre 12vdc anyways
this is going to be super diffucult to make look good.
motorization tends to be choppy or jerky (not smooth).
you might want to try a worm gear style to raise the monitor and a nut/bolt lever to open the door
you can get the EXACT same parts at fishman audio.com? not sure of website
good luck!

 

Boy racer...nice idea on the Worm gear drive. I've designed a few assemblies using them, and they can be quite versatile.

As for the CF look...I really don't think you will be happy with the results. First you are looking at a totally separate style of resin to mix than standard glass. Next whatever surface you apply it to must be perfectly flat. Then there is the work to get the weave perfectly flat, then to get the smooth look you must "polish" the resin, and if you cut through to the CF itself consider the part done for....the list goes on as far as the hurdles are concerned.

Some people have pulled it off, but it's a ton of work. A good paint job is much more cost effective although it isn't quite as high on the wow factor.

Oh, and apology accepted!!!

 

Oh, and one other thing...I'm not a pro, just a certified nut...all in the driveway/garage for me.

 

i agree w curley, I did it once and it was good on flat surfaces
its pretty much impossible (without a vacuum mold) to make curves look good
it would be a huge waste of money to build your entire enclosure out of c/f
fiberglass is light and kevlar is not THAT expensive
oh and by the way, i am a pro AND a certified nut

 

its caled a "panel motorization kit"i can get you one for $75 plus a few for shipping.its for "opening and closing glove box doors,concealed panels,license plates,fuse box cover,etc.comes complete with motor,cam and reverse micro switch,25 pound load.deminsions:3" wide,4" tall shaft length 4-3/4" http://importsports.freeservers.com/