UPDATE TIME!!!
The door is painted, the box is painted (at least the parts that will be seen from outside the case), and the actuator is ready to go. So I put this puppy together for yet another demonstration.
I will let the pictures do the talking from here:
VIDEO:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...34076735004769
The door seems a little sluggish when raising only because I'm using a 9-volt battery. This is not the case with the 12v molex power running to it.
So then I did a test fit into the case.
She fits perfectly!
Another video of it inside the case:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...35400844484294
We've shifted away from using the variable speed POT boards that we bought. We discovered our builds like a sudden jolt of electricity to get the actuator to start moving from a standstill, and that, by the time you raise the POT up to full power, the actuator has already reached the end of its travel. So, I guess we'll have to find another use for the POTs in some other project.
Instead, we're going to be using a double-pole double-throw momentary rocker switch to change the directions. There will be a limiter switch at the rear of the box to make sure the actuator stops completely when it's ended its travel. There won't be one up front because whoever is operating the door should be able to see when to release the switch.
Closeup of the rocker switch we're using:
Thanks to dad for wiring this sucker up for me!
No hints on where we're mounting this switch yet, but until we show its final mounting place, consider this project very much still in progress