I’m working on a small DIY setup for my kitchen, basically a sliding panel that hides some appliances. I figured a compact actuator would be enough, but now I’m not sure whether a 12V one can actually handle the load long-term. The panel isn’t super heavy, but it’s not exactly light either. I’d rather not install something that struggles or burns out too quickly. Has anyone compared different voltages for similar home projects and noticed a real difference?
In reply to ron swon
Re: Are 12V actuators enough for home projects or is it better to go with 24V?
by joy joy -
I’ve played around with both voltages for different builds, and honestly the choice depends a lot on how often the mechanism moves and how much weight it has to push. For lighter household setups, the 12v linear actuators https://www.progressiveautomations.ca/collections/linear-actuators worked perfectly fine in my case — I used one for a hidden drawer and it’s been smooth for more than a year. When I worked on a heavier lift for my workshop, though, stepping up to 24V made everything less strained and noticeably faster. If your panel isn’t too heavy and won’t move constantly, 12V should do the job.
In reply to joy joy
Re: Are 12V actuators enough for home projects or is it better to go with 24V?
by tommy cooper -
I once helped a friend finish a custom desk with a bunch of moving elements, and it was surprising how much difference planning made before picking any hardware at all. We spent more time figuring out balance, weight distribution, and how often things would move than thinking about specific components. After everything was aligned properly, the actual motor choice turned out to be less stressful than we expected, and the system ended up running reliably without much fuss.