linear actuator for a solar tracker

[Marceline 0]

Hey folks, I’m looking into getting a linear actuator for a solar tracker setup I’m building for my backyard array. I live near the coast, so the unit will be exposed to a decent amount of moisture, and probably some salt in the air too. I know IP ratings are important for outdoor use, but the more I read, the more confused I get. Like, is IP65 good enough? Or should I be aiming for IP67 or higher? I’d rather not replace this thing in a year, you know?
 

[dannywito 0]

I ran into the same issue last year when we upgraded the chicken coop automation on our farm. We initially tried an actuator rated IP54, and it didn’t last a full season—dust and rain got in way too easily. For anything consistently outdoors, I’d suggest you don’t go below IP66. That gives you full protection against dust and strong water jets, which is decent for rainy environments. If your setup is going to experience heavy exposure or occasional flooding (say, water pooling after storms), then IP67 is the safer bet, since it can handle temporary submersion.

I actually sourced ours from here: https://progressiveautomations.com.au/pages/actuators — actuator they have a few IP66 and IP67 models, and I’ve been running the PA-10 for about 9 months now without a hiccup. Might be worth a look depending on your stroke and force needs. Bonus: they ship pretty quickly within AU.

[Marceline 0]

Following this thread with interest. I’ve had mixed results with outdoor actuators, mostly due to underestimating weather impact.

IP ratings are often overlooked until it’s too late.