Heavy Duty 330lbs Solar Tracker Linear Actuator Multi-function (12V, 18")

I use this to raise and lower three 180W solar panels which are mounted on a frame. It's not fast but for my application this doesn't matter at all, as the angle of the panels relative to the sun only needs to be adjusted a small amount once a month as the sun's angle changes.

Linear actuator works as advertised. It cranks 3 220w panels without any effort. The real story is with customer service. They were prompt at responding to my problem, which was of no fault of theirs' and provided a solution that I hadn't thought of. Nice job eco-worthy.

I have had six of these now, 4 x 12", and 5 x 18", and all have performed flawlessly. The 12" have been raising a 250lb tool shed roof from a negative angle to where the gas struts can help lift it. They have been running for 1.5 years without fail. I have another 2 lifting Solar panels following a solar tracker. There is significant initial amperage load, and they have been working flawlessly out in the elements, for at least 6 months. The 5 x 18" have just started being used, but are being used as struts for 10 x large solar panels in an array tilting over a fence. These have been working perfectly for a few weeks now.

I really like this arm. I use it for my chicken coop. I got a 2 Channel Smart Relay Module and a 12v power supply/adapter and viola, instant remote-controlled actuator. I attached the wiring diagram I used for this process. The diagram using an arduino, but I went with a smart relay instead. Make sure you get a good power supply. I had a power supply that met the specs but the actuator was very very slow to open. I swapped it out for another power supply but had the same results (some cheap ones i had kicking around) I got a new, more expensive unit and the actuator is quite responsive now!

This is my second actuator purchase. The first one lasted about 9 months. The screw that holds the metal tube to the motor assembly fell out. The two side set screws that help hold the tube sides had one touching the tube and the other one not screwed all the way thru the block because the hole was not fully tapped. Apparently as the motor moved back and forth it vibrated the tube retaining screw out. That resulted in the metal tube sliding out and breaking the plastic internal wire/switch assembly into multiple pieces. I hope the new actuator last longer since I tighten the two side screws down and made sure they are touching the tube. Lastly I put some thread sealer on the retaining screw to keep it from working back out.