Anyone ever use a sealed linear actuator before?

[newbie4life]

Hi guys,

I have an older 40 hp yamaha that runs very well, doesn't need replacing -- and I don't want to spend (nor do I have the funds available) the several hundred dollars for an aftermarket power trim/tilt. I'm not afraid of doing a little bit of fabrication work on our pontoon's motor mount to make an actuator work. But I'm not sure how many pounds it takes to lift it before I order one? Obviously, lifting at the skeg is pretty light and easy, but If you move your hand up the shaft a foot or so, it's a little more work, and another foot, I don't think I could do it by hand. How does one measure the force required? I thought about a torque wrench on a fitting and see how it works to measure force... does this make sense?

Again, I'm not nervous about the fab work, but choosing the correct weight of actuator... 200 lbs, 400 lbs, etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Jason

 

[99yam40]

Re: Anyone ever use a sealed linear actuator before?

I would think picking up the proper parts used or even after market would be a lot cheaper than buying an air actuator for a valve and all the rigging to make it work, If that is what you are thinking about

 

[newbie4life]

Re: Anyone ever use a sealed linear actuator before?

it's not a pneumatic actuator - 12/24 v DC, reverse polarity to reverse direction, self-contained, sealed unit. They're between $69 and $105. So, cost is within reason (as opposed to a $600 aftermarket tilt/trim.) used engine mounts with power trim and tilt are hard to find, and spendy. So, that's why the direction I'm looking right now. I'm more concerned with finding out 'how much I need'.

 

[Bluefish]

Re: Anyone ever use a sealed linear actuator before?

You could put a strip around the point you want to lift at and use a spring scale. This should give you the weight you will be lifting as this is the reference you’re using in buying the actuator. You will still need to use a fixed stop when running the boat with the extra force the actuator may not handle trimming.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Anyone ever use a sealed linear actuator before?

Just get the bigger one, Once you get it you can play with it to see where it can lift from.

LK

 

[newbie4life]

Re: Anyone ever use a sealed linear actuator before?

Good advice. I figured I'd leave the positive stop where it is now, just 'engineer' it to raise when pulling out of the landing, and heading down the road -- with no experience with them, I'll just have to play with it to see what it can do.

Thanks for the info, ordering the big one tonight.

Jason