how do power antenna's work?

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Oct 5, 2006 | 05:20 PM

scott_fx

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Le Mans Master

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From: Los Angeles Ca

how do power antenna's work?

So I finally decided to use a power antenna to automate something in my car. question is, how well can they be controlled. can i simply control the stop point by cutting power? or will it try to fully extend when power resumes to the motor? also, how does it retract? is it as simple as reversing polarity to the motor?

thanks in advance,

scott

edit: why did i put an apostrophe in the subject?

Last edited by scott_fx; Oct 5, 2006 at 05:27 PM.

Oct 5, 2006 | 05:48 PM

-=Jeff=-

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From: Bartlett Illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott_fx

Woundn't a Linear Actuator work better for you?
Not sure what you want to do but the Antenna uses a nylon ribbon w/teeth and I would guess with more poressure it would wear out faster

Oct 5, 2006 | 05:51 PM

scott_fx

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From: Los Angeles Ca

a linear actuator would work but it's a bit overkill. the piece i'm moving is about 12"x12"x1/8" panel so it's not that heavy and it'll just be sliding. And plus a power antenna is about 1/5 of the price too!

Oct 5, 2006 | 08:18 PM

pentavolvo

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From: Dyer IN

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i know older hondas had a seperate antenna switch that u pushed up or down. most power antennas when power is removed from the "remote wire" it retracts back in

Oct 6, 2006 | 12:20 AM

0Audio Dave

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From: Murfreesboro, TN. "I'm like a kid in a candy store everytime I see a Corvette!!"

Power antennas use a constant 12 volt wire, a ground wire, and a switched wire. When the switched wire gets voltage, the antenna goes up, when it looses it, antenna goes down. Now as for the switched circuit, I have not checked if the wire actually powers down the antenna by creating a ground circuit, or if it would stop going down if the circuit were open (no ground or power...) might want to get the digital voltmeter out for this one...

Of course, a latching relay may work in your case... but maybe the antenna circuit thing may be cheaper...

Oct 6, 2006 | 08:01 AM

-=Jeff=-

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From: Bartlett Illinois

my friends 1992 (or 1993) Thunderchicken (Thunderbird) had a separate switch as well. if he still had the car I would look at it but he sold it probably 4 years ago..