The linear driver provides control for linear actuators. A number of airframes are now being shipped with linear actuators installed, for example on sliding canopies. These work just like an electric retract and need a driver with current limiting.
The RC Light Systems Linear Driver provides configurable control of the acutator, direction of travel, speed, current limit, latching operation, all configurable through the bootloader or using a Powerbox Core or Jeti transmitter.
Linear Driver
The linear driver provides control for linear actuators. Note that these look like linear servos, but contain no driver circuitry and so a driver must be provided.
Linear actuators work just like electric retracts, a DC motor drives a gearbox extending an arm, at some point the arm will reach full travel and the current draw will increase. A driver is required to sense this current increase and stop the motor before it burns out. Some linear actuators have limit switches at maximum travel to stop the motor at each end of the travel range.
The linear driver provides direction control using the radio signal and can reverse the signal if needed.
The linear driver can use PWM and act as a speed controller for the actuator to slow the operation if desired.
The linear driver has a configurable current limit, up to 4.1A. Once the limit current is detected the linear driver will cut the power to the actuator and prevent further movement in the same direction.
The driver also has a latching mode where the operation can be initiated by a 'toggle' of the channel and the movement will continue until the current limit is reached.
The driver also provides current telemetry to the transmitter.
Specifications:
- Input voltage: 5 to 12v
- Control: PWM, Powerbox P2Bus, Jeti ExBus, SRXL2, SBus2
- Current: 4.1A maximum
- Weight: 6.3g
- Size: 47mm x 16mm x 8mm
- Operating temperature: -5°C to +50°C
