Capacitive touch sensors (normally lamp touch switches, etc) are typically made for smaller sensors. A metal strip down the length of the door would be problematic for a couple of reasons. First it acts like a giant antenna and you would probably blow the circuitry. Second and related problem is that the capacitance of the sensor can not be over a certain level which you are sure to exceed with a giant metal strip. Typically the sensor capacitance should be in the picofarads (measure this with your multimeter) while the chip itself handles a cap up to around 20 nanofarads (not a very good explanation but hopefully you get the idea. . .the sensor capacitance must be much less than the chip handling capacitance)
Possibly a thin cat5 wire loop running the length of the door might work. . . but you would have to check capacitance first.
Can you explain a little more detailed what you are trying to do and I might be able to help a little better. . . .a diagram would help. Does the sensor need to be the length of the door? etc.
Thanks
Craig
Well, after a little thought I've decided that a touch sensor is not the way to go. The sensitivity issues, the possibility of failure and the realization that gloves would prevent it from working are all factors. What I'm planning on doing now is to build a piston on the end of the linear actuator with a strong spring that, when forced against, will extrude a rod that will activate a push button.
That's if no one else has any better ideas, but I think I'll start another thread on it if someone volunteers a better plan.
Thanks again.