Frequently Asked Questions

Our actuator selector tool was developed to help you choose the best actuator for your needs. It allows you narrow down your choices to only actuators that meet your criteria. Additionally, you can download the datasheet for each actuator type to see all of the detailed specifications, wiring diagram, part drawings and 3D CAD files. If you still require assistance, you can contact [email protected] for further help.

To find the product you're looking for, you can use our actuator selector tool, type a keyword into the search box, or navigate through the menus at the top of this page. If you need further help finding a particular product, feel free to reach out to [email protected]

1. Click the "Account" icon at the top right side of our site next to the shopping cart.
2. Click "Create Account" on the left side of the page.

You can edit your account information from there.

1. Click the "Account" icon at the top right side of our site next to the shopping cart.
2. Click "Reset My Password" on the right side of the page.

You can review your orders from within your account on our site. You may compare your order history on our website with your financial records. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact customer service at [email protected].

The included accessories are mounting hardware intended to simplify mounting your actuator to your project. We have included mounting brackets and spacers for holding the square aluminum shaft housing secure and level with the actuator's body. The spacers are specific for each model and are clearly marked. PQ12 models come with a ribbon cable adapter and some models come with an additional rod end tip.

Yes, it is possible to slow down an actuator by lowering the input voltage. The voltage specified for each actuator on the data sheet is the maximum allowed. If you use a lower voltage the actuator will move more slowly, and push less force. To lower the voltage you can use fewer batteries, add a voltage regulator to your circuit or use PWM for the drive voltage. There is a minimum voltage required to overcome the friction inside the actuator, and this will depend on the load you attach to it. Please note: the minimum voltage for the L12-I & R types and the LAC is 3.5 volts for the control circuit to operate. 

 NOTE: if using a "P" series actuator with our LAC board, you can adjust the speed of the actuator through the speed adjustment pot located just above the X4 connector block. You will have to power cycle the LAC to load the new settings. Here is a more detailed explanation on how to slow down linear actuators. 

 You can find the datasheet for our LAC board on the product page.

The speed of two actuators of the same voltage and gearing can vary due to internal friction variances. However, if you need to have two actuators running at the exact same speed, send us an email. Quite often we can test a pair for you to be as close to the same speed as possible. We wrote an article on how to synchronize actuators. to help you with this.

You can find all of our downloadable files on our datasheets page.

Most of our actuators use a lead screw driven by a brushed DC motors to create linear motion. Some of our newer models such as the S20 and P8 stepper, use stepper motors for even greater positional and speed control. All of our actuators will hold their position under load, even without power, until a specific back-drive force is applied. The back drive force for each model is available on the product data sheet. We wrote an article to help you better understand how linear actuators work.

We do not advertise a lifespan for any of our units and there is no guarantee on the number of cycles our actuators can perform. Lifespan can be impacted by load, side load, duty cycle, temperature, stall conditions, humidity, environmental particulates and is different for every application. because our products are used in thousands of different applications it is impossible for us to test unknown variables. We encourage customers to do their own testing to evaluate lifespan in their particular application. We have written an article addressing how long actuators last, as well as tips for extending the life of your actuator.

Sure you can! We have had great success with Plasti-Dip spray. Be careful not to paint the actuator shaft, just the exterior housing. NOTE: Actuators can not be returned after painting.

The L12-R, L16-R or PQ12-R are designed to be a plug-and-play replacement for RC rotary servos and will work with most RC receivers. Additionally, we now offer an Ext-R board. This board has our standard RC input and position controller, making it compatible with most RC receivers, and a wide array of controllers such as Raspberry Pi, and Arduino. The Ext-R board makes it possible to use models that are not produced as an -R series, such as the P16, T16 and P8 models, as a linear servo.

We do not offer Arduino support. We have however put together some information and links to articles about using our products with Arduino. You can find that page here.

Sometimes, the LAC boards aren't loaded correctly with their default values. Before contacting tech support, please try the following 3 things:

1. Double check your connections, and that you have power to the + and – terminals of connector block
2. Check that all four of the blue potentiometers on the LAC are turned fully clockwise.
3. Power the LAC off and then back on to load the default settings.

Now try the LAC again. We have a video series on using our LAC board on your YouTube channel, you may want to check that out as well. If you are having trouble installing the LAC software's drivers, our support department has a fix for that. Some builds of Windows 10 will not install the LAC drivers properly.

No you can not. USB alone cannot provide enough power for the LAC board and an actuator. You will need to provide DC power to the positive and negative terminals of X6 via a battery pack or external DC adapter. This voltage must be the same as the actuator's required voltage, either (6VDC or 12VDC).

The light will only come on if the board has both power and a valid input signal. If the LED won't come on be sure to check the data sheet to ensure that you have a valid input signal connected properly.

Your credit card will be charged within 24 hours prior to shipment of your items.

We ship all order of in-stock items at 1pm PST Monday-Friday.

During the checkout process you may choose any of our current payment options and continue to place your order. We accept Visa, Mastercard and PayPal. For qualified customers we accept Purchase Orders. If you just need a quote to requisition payment, please choose “Proforma Invoice/Quote” as the payment method. Please note that we will not ship your order until we receive payment.

This means that the billing information you entered does not match the billing information of the cardholder. You will need to change your billing information to exactly match the credit card you are using as our system uses address verification.

Shipping is automatically calculated prior to submitting your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page where you will be offered shipping method choices and their prices.

Please create an account by clicking the “My Account/Order Status” link at the top right hand side of our site. During signup we'll ask for your shipping address details including country. If your country is not in the drop-down menu of available countries, unfortunately we cannot ship to your country at this time. Generally if UPS will ship to you then we will ship to you.

Duties are imposed by your country and you, the customer are responsible for duties upon importation. Please be aware that if you reject a package because it has duties owing, it may not be possible to retrieve it and even if we can you will not be refunded for your order as we will have the pay these duties to get the package back.

Our actuators are built in China. While they are designed and tested at, as well as shipped from our Canadian facility, they are assembled at our factory in China. This may impact duties charged by your government upon arrival.

After logging in, click the “My Account/Order Status” link at the top right hand side of our site to print invoices.

Click the “My Account/Order Status” link at the top right hand side of our site to view orders you have placed. Then click the “Change Quantities/Cancel Orders” link to find and edit your order. Please note that once an order has begun processing or has shipped, the order is no longer editable.

Click the “My Account/Order Status” link at the top right hand side of our site to track your order

Click the “My Account/Order History” link at the top right hand side of our site to track your order status. Be sure that all of the items in your order have shipped already. If your order displays your package tracking numbers, check with the shipper to confirm that your packages were delivered. If your packages each show a status of “delivered”, please contact customer service for assistance.

If you feel that you have received the wrong product, please contact customer service within 72 hours of receiving the product. For additional questions about shipping, please read our shipping policies.

Actuonix Motion Devices' sole obligation and liability for product defects shall be, at Actuonix's option, to replace such defective product or refund to customer the amount paid. In no event shall Actuonix's liability exceed the buyer's purchase price. The foregoing remedy shall be subject to buyer's written notification of defect and return of the defective product within 180 days of purchase. This Limited Warranty does NOT cover:

1. Products purchased from an unauthorized re-seller
2. Products purchased through online auctions
3. Damage caused by:
• (a) Accident, fire, abuse, misuse, neglect, unusual physical or electrical stress or modification
• (b) Improper or unauthorized installation, wiring, repair, testing or
• (c) Use of the product outside Actuonix Motion Devices' data sheet guidelines for that product
4. Products purchased through online auctions
5. Normal wear and tear
6. Instances in which anyone other than Actuonix Motion Devices staff alters, modifies or services the products in any way
7. Products that have had the serial numbers or date tags removed or altered
8. Batteries contained or used in our product
9. Instances in which a manufacturing defect is not present, but the product has exceeded its useful lifespan.*

*The motors in our actuators, as with all DC motors, have a rated lifespan from the manufacturer; this varies by model. The expected lifespan will decrease when the device is run in extreme conditions including:

1. Higher than 20% duty cycle
2. Extreme hot or cold temperatures
3. Input voltage above or below the value indicated on the datasheet

Depending on operating conditions, it may be possible to exceed the actuator's useful lifespan within the warranty period. In such cases, the actuator will not be covered by warranty.

Customers with warranty claims must email us at [email protected] for an RMA number BEFORE returning their product. Your RMA number must appear clearly on the outside of the returned package. Product must be shipped back to us prepaid of all taxes.

Any RMA shipped to us with the shipping charges or duties owing will be refused.

Actuonix Motion Devices accepts merchandise returns subject to the terms as outlined below and will replace the product or refund our money at your option. To facilitate processing of returned merchandise please contact a Customer Service Representative to obtain an RMA (Returned Merchandise Authorization) number first prior to returning a product. You can reach customer service at 1-888-225-9198 or [email protected].

All returns of non-defective merchandise must be made within 30 days of the date of invoice and be accompanied by the original invoice number and a brief explanation of the reason for the return. Parts returned due to customer error may be subject to a 25% restocking charge. Returned merchandise must be in original packaging and in unused condition.

Defective merchandise may be returned within 180 days of the original invoice date and need not be in original packaging.

Return freight charges must be prepaid. C.O.D. Returns will not be accepted.

Any parts specified as “Non-Cancelable/Non-Returnable” at time of quote or sale are not returnable.

Ship items back PREPAID to the address below:
Actuonix Motion Devices
RMA#
Unit 201, 1753 Sean Heights
Saanichton, BC
Canada V8M 0B3

On the customs documents, make sure to check “Goods returned to owner/manufacturer for repair/warranty” using tariff code 9813.00.00.95 otherwise they will be taxed again.

Credits usually take a couple of business days from the time we receive your item(s).

We do not accept returns on custom actuators.