GLA750 12V DC Small Linear Actuator

Custom options are also available, please contact us for more information

The GLA750 is a compact and lightweight 12V DC (direct current) linear actuator available in six different stroke lengths (travel distances) of 30mm (1 3/16"), 50mm (2"), 100mm (4"), 150mm (6"), 200mm (8") and 300mm (12").

Despite its small size the GLA750 is able to provide a pushing or pulling force of up to 750N (76kg, 168lbs) at the rated voltage (and as with any brushed DC motor operation at other voltages is possible with modified operating characteristics).

Each actuator offers a travel speed of 10mm/s under no-load and 8mm/s under the full rated load.

Please see below for more product details.

Product Description Description

This is one of our most popular actuator models, used for everything from automatic valves and doors in farms and factories, to electric windows and other home automation projects. The operating voltage of 12V DC makes it suitable for powering from a lead-acid battery such as a car battery, or running from a mains to 12V DC adapter which are widely available (we stock 6000mA and 10A versions suitable for powering these actuators).

The shallow lead-angle of the GLA750 model means that if the actuator is driven into a position it will stay in that position unless power is applied again or if it is subjected to a load much larger than the rated load.

Leads & Connector Options

The actuator comes with a 0.8m PVC insulated lead as standard (black external sleeve with two internal cores, one red and one black) with uncovered lead ends. An option is provided for a DC (barrel type) power connector to be added (2.1mm internal diameter, 5.5mm external) on a 300mm lead, bringing the total lead length to 1.1m. Allow for one extra working day to process your order if a connector option is added, since these are soldered and insulated to-order.

We are able to supply custom wiring and connectors upon request, please contact us with your requirements if interested.

User Advice

To change the direction of travel simply swap the polarity of the DC power source to the two actuator leads (this may be achieved using hardware such as our rocker switch harness or GLA-CU-X3 remote control unit). By varying the input voltage between 0-12V DC it is possible to control the speed of the actuator. Reducing the voltage will also reduce load capacity (for example at 6V the actuator will have roughly half of the maximum load capacity at 12V).

This actuator is designed primarily for compression loads, it will typically work OK in tension, up to the same rated maximum load, but can be more susceptible to damage from overloading. Shock loads through the mounting points should be avoided.

As with any DC motor the motor may be run at a higher voltage than the nominal 12V DC however operation at higher voltages will invalidate the warranty. Experienced users who wish to extract greater power from the actuator (at their own risk) should abide by a practical operation ceiling of 18V, above which the motor, diodes and limit switches of the actuator would be significantly more likely to fail. Be aware that the current draw will be greater if the actuator is run at above 12V DC and the duty cycle should be reduced to help avoid over-heating.

Ensure that the control hardware and power source are capable of providing sufficient current for the loads you expect the actuator to experience. We cannot be held liable for damage caused to connected hardware due to inappropriate hardware selection.

CAD models (STEP, IGS, Autodesk Fusion 360) of the actuator are available upon request. Contact us with the size(s) and file formats that you require and we'll attach the files in return.

Read on below for more product information.

Technical Details Technical

Operating Characteristics

Motor:	12V DC, up to 35W
No Load speed:	10mm/s
No Load Current:	0.8A
Full Load Speed:	8mm/s
Maximum load:	750N/76kg
Current for max. load:	3.2A
Stall current:	5.2A (the actuator should only ever be allowed to stall for short <1s periods)
Maximum static load:	1800N (183kg) Holding maximum in compression, maximum tension load should be 750N
Noise levels:	< 50dB under no-load < 53dB under full-load
Maximum duty cycle:	40% (this is the maximum proportion of time that the actuator may be in operation for, up to 2minutes during any continuous stretch. The duty cycle should be reduced below 20% for average loads >300N)
Life expectancy:	Nominal 40,000 strokes
Please be aware that there may some variation in the operating performance from actuator to actuator, as a rule-of-thumb allow for a 5% difference above/below the given values. If intending to use two actuators together to drive the same assembly connect them in parallel to the input current and ensure that the driven assembly is rigid enough to transfer forces between the actuators (so as to prevent twisting if one actuator is slightly faster than the other).

Actuator Build Detail

Size:
(click on image to expand)

Installation length:

105mm + Stroke length (distance from front to rear mounting hole centres). For example the installation length for a 150mm stroke is 150 + 105 = 255mm.

Mounting:

Two 6mm holes. One is towards the end of the piston rod, the other is on the rear of the gearbox housing.

Body material:

Aluminium & Zinc plated Steel, rated to IP54

Certification:

Operating temperature:

-5°C ~ +45°C

Gearbox type:

30:1, three-stage spur gears, all-metal.

Limit switches:

Two limit switches are installed at the ends of travel which automatically stop travel at the fully retracted and extended positions. The internal circuit is as pictured below (click on image to expand):