Tip: Tipup Gas Strut Info

[Brantel]

Instead of installing the struts per the plans with the outer housing down and the rod up, install them with the rod down and the outer housing up.

Per plans the struts have little to no damping at the end of the extend stroke. This allows the canopy to slam open.

If you install them upside down, they dampen the last few inches of travel allowing the canopy to open and come to a nice smooth stop.


Also, save time and ditch the nuts and washers behind the canopy deck. Make yourself a plate with two nutplates on it for a super easy install.

To really save time, ditch the two spacers behind the two aft pivot mount plates. Instead mount the pivot mount plate directly to the decks. Install the pivot stud inboard instead of outboard. This also prevents the strut housing from rubbing on the side rails when opening and closing. The pivot mount is also much stronger since there is less lever action on the deck.

[hydroguy2]

let's see it

[Brantel]

Will take some pix this evening and post them. Really simple though.

[Dave Cole]

Originally Posted by Brantel

If you install them upside down, they dampen the last few inches of travel allowing the canopy to open and come to a nice smooth stop.

Excellent tip. Gas struts have a small amount of oil in them for two reasons. The first is to keep the piston rod oiled so that the gas doesn't leak out. The second is to provide some damping at the end of stroke to avoid a hard stop.

Both of these features require the strut to be installed with the rod end down. In this case "upside down" is "right side up".

[hydroguy2]

Originally Posted by Brantel

.......Really simple though.....

Whew, that's fortunate for me. Some times I have trouble with descriptions, especially when I'm at work. But gimme a picture and I don't need much else.

thanks b

[gasman]

ALSO....... depending where you mounted the front pivot mount, you may be able to mount the rear pivot mount direct to the deck

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by Brantel

...Also, save time and ditch the nuts and washers behind the canopy deck. Make yourself a plate with two nutplates on it for a super easy install.

To really save time, ditch the two spacers behind the two aft pivot mount plates. Instead mount the pivot mount plate directly to the decks. Install the pivot stud inboard instead of outboard. This also prevents the strut housing from rubbing on the side rails when opening and closing. The pivot mount is also much stronger since there is less lever action on the deck.

Like this?


For more details, go here and scroll down to the 7/22/06 entry.

[Brantel]

Bill,

Exactly the idea on the nutplate plate.

For others you don't have to use corner nutplates. Regular one leg type work fine or you can cut one leg off a regular one as well.

Thanks for the pic!

[Brantel]

See the pic above for an example of a nutplate plate to go behind the canopy deck.

Here is a shot of the pivot mounted without the spacers and the pivot turned inboard instead of outboard.



And the upside down (per the plans) strut