gas spring compression

[superboots]

I have a Selden gas spring replacement for my boom vang but I need to compress it for transportation. I have several ideas how to do this. But it would be helpful if someone knows how much weight I would need to compress the spring - its rated 5000N - so far too strong to do this manually.

 

[pvb]

Had you considered how to retain it in the compressed position? I reckon this is more likely to be a problem.

 

[penberth3]

Had you considered how to retain it in the compressed position? I reckon this is more likely to be a problem.

Absolutely this. It sounds like a dangerous thing to do. I wouldn't do it.

 

[Mistroma]

I have a Selden gas spring replacement for my boom vang but I need to compress it for transportation. I have several ideas how to do this. But it would be helpful if someone knows how much weight I would need to compress the spring - its rated 5000N - so far too strong to do this manually.

Not surprised you can't just push it down. You must have quite a large boat with a heavy boom. It should compress if you support it in an upright position and lower a 1/2 (ton/tonne) weight onto the end of the piston. At least it takes you into the area where a small additional push would allow full compression. It might not be set to 5,000N as most are adjusted downwards to balance the boom.

You will certainly need a lot of mechanical advantage to fully compress it and it will make a hole in your luggage if it comes free in transit. These struts don't particularly like to be fully compressed for extended periods, especially if you then transport it in a low pressure environment. Pretty certain that they cannot be transported by air as hold baggage. I think that I got away with doing that a few years ago but it wasn't compressed very much and not nearly fully loaded even at altitude.

 

[superboots]

Its a risk to transport it which in any case may not happen as my flight keeps getting cancelled (3 times so far) I was just wondering about the weight I would need to compress and if I could balance some concrete blocks on top of the rod end as I could do this in a fairly controlled way. My alternative is to find a horizontal bar/tube which is secured to the ground ( like pedestrian rail) and then compress with a trolley jack at the bottom. I have a strip of construction perforated metal band fixed/bolted at each end . When compressed I can bolt through the perforation ( on both sides) and this will hold the rod in compression. I'd have to reverse the process for release. If the force needed is only half a tonne - the trolley jack should be able to do it - just need to find some street furniture that's up for the job as I can't find anything at home that would act as a support.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I hurt myself several times, albeit in a comical way, while fitting one ram to a cockpit locker. I hurt myself more seriously with a car's road spring that escaped from the compressors. I wouldn't dream of trying this - not least because you'll need a similar contrivance at the other end of your trip. If you're thinking of the perforated straps I have in mind, they're no good for 500kg safely.

 

[penberth3]

Its a risk to transport it which in any case may not happen as my flight keeps getting cancelled (3 times so far) I was just wondering about the weight I would need to compress and if I could balance some concrete blocks on top of the rod end as I could do this in a fairly controlled way. My alternative is to find a horizontal bar/tube which is secured to the ground ( like pedestrian rail) and then compress with a trolley jack at the bottom. I have a strip of construction perforated metal band fixed/bolted at each end . When compressed I can bolt through the perforation ( on both sides) and this will hold the rod in compression. I'd have to reverse the process for release. If the force needed is only half a tonne - the trolley jack should be able to do it - just need to find some street furniture that's up for the job as I can't find anything at home that would act as a support.

Are you seriously going to try this?