Question: Gas Door Springs

[fishgutts]

I have a 1983 22-2... It has the large front-deck storage door.

My wife has "demanded" that I put some type of spring on it before one of our kids slices their finger off.

Have any of you added something like this to yours?  

I need some suggestions on load strength and dimensions.  Thanks.

[Capt. Bob]

Can't help with either but...

This is where I got mine for my cabin hatch. They have everything you'll possibly need but yes, you'll need to figure out mounting and such.

http://www.ameritoolmfg.com/

Good luck.

[slvrlng]

It is a large door isn't it? Rather than fingers, my concern has always been dropping it on someones toes!

I would love to see some pics of your hull!!! Yours is the only other 83 222 I know of on the board.

[fishgutts]

Actually... it's an 81'  

For some reason I had in my mind that it was an 83'.  Had to go back and look at my title.

[attachment=0:2gu4ew4v]photo-AS.JPG[/attachment:2gu4ew4v]

[slvrlng]

Poor Slipaway, still all alone!

You should be able to fit the bases of the struts on the inside lip of the fishbox. Then attach to the underside of the lid. Post some pics if this works as I am tempted to do this on my hull as well.

[seabob4]

The key is the right weight and the right placement.  A 20 lb strut is probably the most you want to go.  Figure out where you want the hatch to open to, then look at the chart Ameritool provides to see the extended length to get you to that position.  Then see what the compressed length is to make sure it will fit when closed.

Typically the mount that secures to the hatch is around 4"-5" in from the fwd edge of the hatch.  I say typically, there are always exceptions...

[Capt. Bob]

Just to add to my first link, the quality of their product is excellent and reasonably price for what you're getting. In that environment on the bow, their all stainless spring is what you would want. I've had mine for several years and they look brand new, including the attachments/mounting hardware.

Good luck.

[fishgutts]

Do you think it needs two springs?  The door is huge and very heavy.  

If one is all I need... great. Not looking to spend extra $$$

I am still not sure I understand how to measure prior to ordering.  

Also which one should I order.... Gas Spring - Fixed Force, Gas Spring - Adjustable Force, Gas Spring - Carbon, Gas Spring - Tension, etc.

[Capt. Bob]

Do you think it needs two springs?  The door is huge and very heavy.  

If one is all I need... great. Not looking to spend extra $$$

I am still not sure I understand how to measure prior to ordering.  

Also which one should I order.... Gas Spring - Fixed Force, Gas Spring - Adjustable Force, Gas Spring - Carbon, Gas Spring - Tension, etc.

OK,
I have two on my plastic hatch cover that allows access to the cabin. They're not very big but work well so.....

If I was doing this, the first thing I would do is try and establish the force needed to lift the door. The easiest way for me would be to determine the weight just as the cover clears the "frame" using say a scale to weigh a fish (doesn't every fisherman have one). That would help you determine which spring to use and I would, if possible use two smaller ones (on each end) rather than one large one. That is a personal (and may be a more practical) choice considering the area you have to work with.

EDIT:

Here's "spec worksheet" that may help getting your head wrapped around your project. Probably a good place to start and a good reference point when speaking with someone there. Looks like #1 is your app. Your "opening angle" (theta) will be determined by how high you want the hatch to travel (duh) so just hold it up to the desired height and measure down from the outer hatch edge to the top of the deck. A spirit level/flat piece of wood would help "extend" the deck into the hatch opening for this measurement. Then measure from the hinge to the "frame edge" and divide the height measurement by the "hinge measurement". This results in the tangent of the angle you need.
http://www.ameritoolmfg.com/Portals/32/ ... ksheet.pdf

I would think the hatch weight will keep it closed (it's how it works now) so I'd guess a fixed force would be a good starting point.

Good luck.

[seabob4]

The use of 2 struts evens out the lifting force exerted on the hatch.  With a heavy hatch, 1 strut to 1 side can exert a twisting force on the hatch, affecting the hinges.

As an example of what "weight" to use, the front console seat on a 225 or 245 Osprey, which is pretty damn heavy, we used (2) 80 lb struts...

[Bergertime]

As an example of what "weight" to use, the front console seat on a 225 or 245 Osprey, which is pretty damn heavy, we used (2) 80 lb struts...[/quote]


All - I am in need of replacing my two gas shocks that hold up the front seat of my 245 Osprey.  Bob - Do you think that two 40lbs shocks would hold her up?  I looked at the info on my current ones and it's not specifically called out although someone may be able to decipher the numbers beyond the length.

However, I can get the two below at a reasonable price.  Thoughts

Link to perspective replacements:
http://www.iboats.com/Attwood-Gas-Sprin ... _id.731344


Pic of current shocks:

[Capt. Bob]

That's a 30psi shock. I don't know how that relates to lift.

The length shown would equate (be kind of close) to this.
http://www.ameritoolmfg.com/ProductInfo ... 16516.aspx

Those start at 75lb. lift.

[Bergertime]

I was thinking that I would get two of the 40lbs Attwood's.  That would be a total of 80lbs of lifting/holding force plus they have the 13mm ball.  That seat is heavy but 80lbs should be able to hold it vertical.  Plus the price is right..

B