Thread: 12 vdc antenna actuator

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Anyone ever used a 12 vdc car antenna actuator to move a prop? I know it wouldn't move very fast, but it might work for a slow popup ghost behind a tombstone. Saw this https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.a...-1750&catname= antenna actuator for $19 at Surpluscenter.com. It extends out 40" I think it would be strong enough to hold a foam skull and cheese cloth. Any thoughts?

I had some brief thoughts a while back on using that mechanism for a prop, but haven't gone much beyond that.
I think it would work very well to raise up a ghost or other prop when remotely triggered.
The Spirit store sold a prop last year called the Rising Reaper that used the same type of mechanism.

I just currently added one to an evil scientist prop that I have been working on and off for a year (just had a baby). The linear servo actuator I am using is by servo city which is above average speed. It has a two inch stroke. I will be posting a video by the end of the month as I am coming to a conclusion on my evil scientist prop. I am using the actuator to move the arms up and down. Yes it is a bit pricey but the cheaper servo linear actuators I seen on you tube are really slow that it would not have functioned the way I intend to use it.

If you are not concerned about speed then I think the antenna actuator you are looking at would be good for your application.

This guy uses one to pop up from behind the grave stone:

http://www.tekkytoys.com/pages/hallo...p?productID=17

The antenna motor is basically what that spirit halloween hovering ghost uses

A car antenna was the basis for my first animated prop. I put a lifelike lab puppy hand puppet on the end of the antenna and added a motion activated barking sound effect from a joke store. The whole thing was activated by a walk on mat between 2 bushes and the "Attack Dog" would come out of the bushes barking. The first 4 kids ran screaming to their parents - a great success! Ten years latter I still have kids and parents asking where the dog is.
The antenna held up for most of the night before refusing to work but I had a lot of weight on it and it extended at an angle. I have always thought of using more on my other props but have not gotten around to it.