Motorizing my glove box...how?

OK, so I want to motorize my glove box so that it closes and opens with a switch. Simple enough? I was thinking I would be able to find something that looks like a gas strut, but be electrically controlled so that it could compress and decompress with a switch, but I am not having much luck finding something like that. I am not going to use the latching mechanism on the glove box so that is no longer a variable (it's broke and of poor quality and that is my reason for doing this project). Some of you may be thinking some implementation of servo motors. That's fine, but my question is, in holding the glove box closed, will the servo use current? I don't want my battery to go dead because my glove box is closed!

Go look for some linear actuators, they are exactly what you are describing.

Twostep

Try these Select Products Actuators at the Select Products tab on the left.

Holy smokes!!! Those are expensive! When I first saw the page I was ready to order one for my application, but I cooled off pretty quick when I realized how much they cost!

I don't know, but it would seem with a motor, position activated switches, and some creative worm gear work a cheaper solution could be created. Of course, I've looked around a little bit and it seems there are not very many good sources for buying just gears, but still....

would an electric car antena work?

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Mp3 V
would an electric car antena work?

---

props for creativity ;) depending on whats in the box... a modified antenae would prolly work quite well ;)

should only require being cut down to size ;)

Heh, and compared to some quotes that I got last year, those are actually quite affordable :D

pnematics might be possible....but you may wanna make some kinda latch to keep the box shut cause the cylinder will relax over time...stepper motors and such are always an option if your creative with electronics.....lead screws with a few simple limit switches and a gear motor could work......the surplus company i get catalogs from does not have a web page or id post a link....

I investigated a power antenna today as a possible solution. The only problem is, if you search for them on e-bay (I looked at them today in Pep Boys and Advance Auto Parts), you'll see that there is about 8-10" of the thing in length, before you even get to the part that moves in and out? I'm not sure if this could be modified and maybe remove the actual antenna part...and then just keep the bottom part of the device whichi pushes teh antenna in and out.
In any case...they are cheaper by about $200 than a linear actuator!

OK well I got a power antenna out of a Ford Escort (i think) from a junkyard for $8 :) It appears to work at some points; I have been fumbilng around with it a little. Anyway, there are 4 wires and I know the black one is ground, but the others are green, green and red, and black and green. I'm having a difficult time trying to figure out what is what, I only expected there to be 3 wires. Any suggestions?