Linear Actuator FAQ: Selection, Wiring & Troubleshooting
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Orders and support
14 answersAre prices on firgelliauto.com in USD?
Product pages on firgelliauto.com display prices in USD. Use the amount shown on the product page and at checkout.
Where does FIRGELLI ship from?
US orders ship from the FIRGELLI warehouse at 1350 Slater Road, Unit 11 & 12, Ferndale, WA 98248.
When does my order ship?
Orders placed before 12:00 PM Pacific ship the same business day. Orders placed after 12:00 PM Pacific ship the next business day, around 4:00 PM, when tracking is sent.
How will I get my tracking number?
A tracking number is emailed via FedEx within one business day after the order is processed. Check the checkout email and junk folder first.
What shipping services are available?
Options range from next-day air to ground. Next Day Air delivers the following business day. Shipping cost is estimated from the cart. There is no published free-shipping order threshold on a live US page.
Do you ship to PO boxes? Do you ship COD?
No. FIRGELLI does not ship to PO boxes and does not ship cash on delivery.
Can I change the shipping service after I order?
After the order is placed, the ship service normally cannot be changed. FIRGELLI can cancel the order so you can place a new one with the correct service. Give the FIRGELLI order number when you ask. Once the order has shipped, the courier owns it.
Can I use my own UPS, FedEx, or DHL account?
Yes, within the USA only. There is a $10 fee to process the order on your account.
Do deliveries need a signature?
Yes. All orders require a signature. If a shipment cannot be delivered within 30 days, the courier returns it to FIRGELLI.
How can I tell if an actuator option is in stock?
On the product page, only in-stock force, stroke, and voltage choices can be selected. If you can add that option to the cart, it is in stock.
What warranty comes with a FIRGELLI linear actuator?
Every purchase includes a 12-month warranty covering malfunctions when the unit is used within the stated conditions and limits, and manufacturer defects. User error and misuse are not covered. Shipping costs are not refunded on a warranty claim.
Optional Warranty Plus replaces the product, including free shipping, within 12 months of purchase even if the damage is from incorrect wiring, incorrect usage, or an electrical-installation problem. The live product template shows Warranty Plus as a +8% add-on.
What is the FIRGELLI return policy?
Returns are accepted within 30 days of purchase when the product is new, unused, in the original packaging, and passes inspection. Approved refunds are minus a 20% restocking fee unless a replacement order is placed. The customer pays return shipping.
Email sales@firgelliauto.com with the order number, part number, quantity, and reason. FIRGELLI sends an RMA form. Mail returns to 1350 Slater Road, Unit 11 & 12, Ferndale, WA 98248.
Gift cards are not returnable. Sale items cannot be refunded. Exchanges are for defective or damaged items.
Does FIRGELLI offer quantity discounts?
Quantity pricing starts at 11 units. The live discount is whatever checkout shows. Tiers above 20% are off.
How do I contact FIRGELLI?
Office hours are 8AM–4PM PST, Monday–Friday. Phone 1-866-226-0465 (ext. 1 sales, ext. 2 support). General: sales@firgelliauto.com. Technical: support@firgelliauto.com. Expect up to one business day.
For an existing order, include the order number. For an engineering question, include stroke, force, voltage, actuator model, control method, mounting geometry, and photos or a sketch.
Choosing an actuator
4 answersHow do I choose the right linear actuator?
Start with force at the actuator mounting point, stroke, retracted and extended space, speed, duty cycle, supply voltage, environment, and whether you need feedback. Do not size from weight alone. Use the Linear Actuator Calculator, then check the live product page.
What makes a sizing question hard?
Hinges, levers, friction, and angled brackets can multiply the required force. Use the calculator that matches the mechanism instead of selecting from weight alone.
Should I choose 12V or 24V?
Match the actuator voltage to the controller and supply. Super Duty lists 12V DC as standard and 24V DC optional with up to 6 months lead time. Classic lists 12V/24V; 24V is a custom order. Every actuator on one FCB-2 must be the same voltage. Do not mix 12V and 24V on one FCB-2.
What is actuator duty cycle?
Duty cycle is a heat limit, not a speed rating. Super Duty is 25%. Utility is 10% (2 min on / 18 min off). Heavy Duty Rod and Classic are 20% (max 5 min continuous). Higher load, heat, or frequent starts cut usable run time.
Installation and mounting
3 answersWhat is side loading?
Force across the rod instead of along its axis. Linear actuators push and pull on their centerline. Side load from poor alignment or off-axis mounting shortens life even when axial force is inside the rating.
How should I mount an actuator?
Use the brackets named on that product page, and let the clevis pivot through the travel. See Product-specific for the bracket row on each family.
Can an actuator hold a suspended load by itself?
Do not rely on an actuator as the only support for a suspended or overhead load. Super Duty’s worm gear helps resist back-driving, but that is not a safety lock. Heavy Duty Rod and Deluxe Rod warn they can back-drive under higher loads with no power.
Feedback and synchronization
4 answersWhat is the difference between Hall, optical, and no feedback?
Hall and optical sensors send pulses as the actuator moves. A controller counts those pulses from a reference. Two-wire actuators have no position signal. FCB-1 and FCB-2 accept 3-wire or 4-wire Hall or optical feedback. They do not accept potentiometer feedback.
Do I need feedback to run two actuators together?
You can power two two-wire actuators from one reversing control. They will not stay aligned. Heavy Duty Rod, Classic, Deluxe, Sleek, and Mini Track print "Synchronous Capability | None, 5-10% variation in speed." FCB-2: the actuator must have feedback for sync.
Why do two actuators drift?
Open-loop units accumulate position error under unequal load. Feedback plus a synchronizing controller is what corrects it. Do not wire two Hall or optical actuators in parallel and expect them to stay level.
When can FCB-2 synchronize actuators?
With built-in Hall or optical feedback, FCB-2 can run up to four actuators at the same speed. It accepts 12–24 VDC, 40 A total, 10 A peak per actuator. Two-wire units get timers and speed only — no sync. FCB-2 is not compatible with potentiometer actuators, Power Max, or Industrial Actuators (high current). All actuators on one box must be the same voltage.
FCB-1 is the same electrical limits without remotes.
Wiring and controls
8 answersHow do I wire a basic two-wire linear actuator?
Apply the actuator’s rated DC voltage to the two motor wires. Reverse polarity to reverse direction. Use a reversing switch, relay, or controller rated for the current. Do not drive the motor from a microcontroller pin.
How do I wire a linear actuator to a rocker switch?
A reversing actuator uses a DPDT rocker to reverse motor polarity. The switch, fuse, wire, and connectors must be rated for actuator current. Use a simple switch or relay when you only need extend and retract.
How do I control a linear actuator with a wireless remote?
Use a receiver rated for the actuator voltage and current. The standalone 2-channel remote (2CH-REM) is an RF receiver, 12–24 VDC, 10 A max. It commands motion. It does not read Hall or optical pulses and does not synchronize.
Can one remote operate two linear actuators?
The four-channel remote (4CH-RC) can run two actuators, 10 A per channel. That is open-loop. It does not synchronize. For alignment under unequal load, use Hall or optical actuators and an FCB.
Is the FCB-2 remote the same as 2CH-REM or 4CH-RC?
No. They are different products. FCB-2 is the LCD control box and ships with two RC5 remotes (pair up to four). 2CH-REM is a standalone 10 A receiver. 4CH-RC is a four-channel remote for two actuators.
Do I need a relay? Can I use an Arduino or PLC?
Use a relay or motor driver when the command device cannot safely switch the actuator current. An Arduino or PLC can command a rated relay, H-bridge, or actuator controller. Do not power the actuator from a logic pin.
Can I add external or adjustable limit switches?
Super Duty (and most rod families) have built-in, non-adjustable end-of-travel limits. For an adjustable extended limit on the actuator body, see the Adjustable Stroke Linear Actuators.
Can I adjust actuator speed?
FCB-1 and FCB-2 can set extension and retraction speed independently. That cannot make an actuator faster than its geared rating.
Troubleshooting
9 answersWhy does my actuator not move?
Check power supply voltage, current capacity, polarity, switch wiring, controller rating, limit switches, and whether the actuator moves when disconnected from the mechanism.
Why does my actuator move in only one direction?
A two-wire actuator needs opposite polarity for the other direction. Reversing polarity changes direction.
Why does my actuator move slowly under load?
Speed falls with load, voltage drop, cold lubricant, or binding. Size the supply for loaded current, not idle. Long cables drop voltage.
Why does the controller reset when movement starts?
FCB-1 and FCB-2 are 10 A peak per actuator, 40 A total. An undersized supply can sag under startup current. Industrial (20 A) and Power Max (18 A at 12 V) are not FCB loads.
Why is my linear actuator getting hot?
Duty cycle is a heat limit. Stop and fix overload, binding, or over-cycling rather than using temperature as the control.
Why do two linear actuators drift out of alignment?
Open-loop units accumulate error. See Feedback and synchronization. Heavy Duty, Classic, Deluxe, Sleek, and Mini Track print 5–10% speed variation and no feedback.
Why does my actuator stop before full stroke?
Built-in limits stop at full extend and retract. A mechanical obstruction, side load, voltage drop, controller current limit, or a learned FCB limit can stop it earlier. Compare measured mount distance to the retracted and extended table on that PDP.
Why does a linear actuator back-drive when power is removed?
Depends on the family. Super Duty’s worm gear helps resist it; still not a safety lock. Heavy Duty Rod and Deluxe Rod warn they back-drive under higher load with no power.
How do I make an engineering question easier to answer?
Send dimensions, load, stroke, voltage, actuator model, mounting sketch, and any photos showing the full range of motion. Include what you expect to happen and what actually happens.
Product-specific
18 answersSuper Duty
Super Duty includes Hall Sensor 4 Wires (20 AWG), 5 V. For simple extend and retract, use the two motor wires and ignore the sensor wires. Max draw 5.5 A, so FCB-2 current is in spec. IP66. Not for continuous submersion. Brackets: MB17 (clevis), MB20, MB21 (body). Input 12 V DC; 24 V DC optional, up to 6 months lead time. Duty 25%.
Utility
Hall, 3-wire, on all models. Motor: 18 AWG green and yellow (reverse polarity). Sensor: 22 AWG +red / −black / white (white is output). 12 V DC. Draw 4 A (110 lb) or 8 A (330 lb), so FCB-2 current is in spec. IP66. Duty 10% (2 min on / 18 min off). Brackets: MB1-P and MB1.
Industrial
Hall yes. FCB-2 no. Max draw 20 A vs 10 A per FCB channel. IP66. Brackets: MB18. 12 V DC or 24 V DC.
Heavy Duty Rod
Feedback none. Sync none, 5–10% speed variation. 12 V DC. Draw 4.5 A / 6 A / 5 A, so FCB-2 can run it as two-wire (timers and speed only). IP43. Brackets: MB3 or MB3U. Can back-drive under higher load with no power.
Classic Rod
Feedback none. Sync none, 5–10% speed variation. 12 V / 24 V DC; 24 V is a custom order. Draw 5 A (3 A on 24 V), so FCB-2 can run it as two-wire. IP54. ACME screw. Brackets: MB1 and/or MB6 (body also lists MB10 rod end). Built-in factory limits.
Deluxe Rod
Feedback none. Sync none, 5–10% speed variation. 12 V DC. Draw 10 A at full load — at the FCB-2 per-channel ceiling. IP66. Brackets: MB3 or MB3U. Can back-drive under higher load with no power.
Optical Feedback
Optical sensor, not Hall. 12 V DC. Draw 5 A, so FCB-2 current is in spec. FCB-2 accepts optical feedback. IP61. Brackets: MB1-P and MB10. Built-in non-adjustable limits.
Mini Track
Feedback none. Sync none, 5–10% speed variation. 12 V DC. Draw 5 A, so FCB-2 can run it as two-wire. IP43. Two-wire. Brackets: MB1 and MB9. Slider carriage, no extending rod.
Sleek Rod
Feedback none. Sync none, 5–10% speed variation. 12 V DC. Draw 3 A at full load, so FCB-2 can run it as two-wire. IP54. Brackets: MB2.
Bullet 36
Hall effect. 12 V or 24 V. Draw 3 A (12 V) / 1.5 A (24 V), so FCB-2 current is in spec. IP66. Brackets: MB36, MB36C, MB36SM.
Bullet 50
Hall effect. IP66. 12 V draw 10 A / 5.44 A / 7.26 A — the 500 lb 12 V row is at the FCB-2 ceiling. 24 V draw is lower. Brackets: MB50, MB50U, MB50C.
Micro Pen with Feedback
Hall Effect (x2, 90° phase), 5 V. 12 V. Draw 0.3 A. IP66. Body recommends FCB-1 to sync two or more.
Micro Pen 12V (no feedback)
Two-wire only. Not a Hall SKU. The feedback row on this page points at the Hall model above.
Power Max (discontinued)
Live US PDP. Page states DISCONTINUED, will not restock. Hall Sensor 4 Wires. 12 V or 24 V. Draw 18 A at 12 V / 9 A at 24 V. FCB-2 is not compatible (high current; page says these units underperform with current FCB boxes). Table IP rating is IP65. Brackets: MB18.
FCB-2
LCD box for one to four actuators. 12–24 VDC, 40 A total, 10 A peak per actuator. Ships two RC5 remotes; pair up to four. Housing is not waterproof (unsealed PCB). Timers: time-of-day and interval, up to 5 programs in 24 hours. Independent extend and retract speed. Learned limits and calibration only with feedback. Wire blocks for four actuators, power, and an external trigger. 12–30 AWG.
FCB-1
Same electrical limits as FCB-2. No remotes.
2CH-REM
Standalone RF receiver. 12–24 VDC. 10 A max. Use a 10 A fuse. It does not synchronize.
4CH-RC
Four-channel remote for two actuators. 10 A per channel. Open-loop. No sync.
No matching answer was found.
FIRGELLI support guide
The FAQ page is the fastest place to answer order, shipping, actuator selection, wiring, and troubleshooting questions. If you are planning a project, the best answer usually comes from combining the FAQ with the selector tools and the engineering calculators. That gives you the policy answer, the product answer, and the mechanical check before you contact support.
When writing to FIRGELLI support, include your order number if the question is about an existing order. For engineering questions, include stroke, force, voltage, actuator model, control method, mounting geometry, and photos or sketches of the mechanism. Clear project details make it much easier for the team to separate a wiring issue from a mechanical binding issue.
| Question type | Best next step | Details to have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Order, shipping, or account help | Contact FIRGELLI | Order number, shipping address, email used at checkout, and the exact item involved. |
| Choosing a linear actuator | Actuator selector tools | Required stroke, force, speed, voltage, duty cycle, environment, and mounting dimensions. |
| Wiring a switch, relay, or control box | Wiring Diagram Generator | Number of actuators, control type, voltage, current draw, and whether synchronization is required. |
| Force or mechanism calculations | Engineering Library | Pivot locations, load position, center of gravity, friction, angle, and safety factor. |
| Linear actuator sizing | Linear Actuator Calculator | Closed length, open length, force direction, bracket locations, and the worst-case load position. |
Before contacting support
Check whether the issue is mechanical, electrical, or product-selection related. Mechanical issues usually show up as binding, side load, noisy motion, bent brackets, or a load that moves easily by hand in one position but not another. Electrical issues usually show up as no motion, intermittent motion, reversed direction, tripped power supplies, weak batteries, or controllers that reset under load.
For actuator sizing questions, include the worst-case geometry instead of only the desired final position. FIRGELLI calculators are designed to help with the hardest point in the movement, because that is where an undersized actuator stalls. If the project uses two or more actuators, describe whether they move one panel together or operate separate loads.
Common checks
- Confirm the power supply voltage matches the actuator voltage.
- Confirm the supply can deliver the actuator current under load, not just at idle.
- Confirm the actuator is not being forced to take side load from a misaligned bracket.
- Confirm the stroke is long enough without bottoming out at either end.
- Confirm switches, relays, and control boxes are rated for the current of the actuator.
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