Unless you're in love with relays, you could use a solid state
solution such as an H-Bridge. One thing you're going to want to think
about in your system is when you turn off the juice to that big motor,
it's inductance is going to generate a large voltage spike. So you'll
want some way of absorbing that other than channeling into into your
radio equipment and pitting your relay contacts.

Regards

"James R. Freeman" wrote in message ...
Jeff:
To do it right , I would use 2 of this type of relay unless You are sure
the SPDT switch can handle 5 amps D.C. in the long term. You may contact me
off list for wiring details either wayfor wiring details.

remove the no-spam
Jim
"Jeff" my last name @fidnet.com wrote in message
...
I have a 12v DC linear actuator, it just has 2 wires coming from the
motor.
If I connect the red wire to the positive terminal of the battery and the
black to the negative, the motor extends. When I reverse the wires the
motor retracts. The motor draws about 5 amps. Pretty straight forward
even
for an electrical dummy like me :)

I have a grip for my control stick that has a 3 position switch to control
this motor. It is an ON-OFF-ON SPST switch that is capable of about 2
amps.
So I went down to Radio Shack and bought a DPDT 12v relay part number
275-218. Here is the Radio Shack web site for this relay:
http://www.radioshack.com/searchsku.asp?find=275-218

I need some help wiring the thing up so I can use my motor. Which wires
go
where? Did I get the right kind of relay?

Thanks,
Jeff