how do power antenna's work?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 4
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?
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.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,597
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Originally Posted by scott_fx
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?
thanks in advance,
scott
edit: why did i put an apostrophe in the subject?
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
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 4
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!
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
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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...
Of course, a latching relay may work in your case... but maybe the antenna circuit thing may be cheaper...
