gas spring for selden rodkicker

[AngusBrut]

Very good points. Thank you Daverw.

 

[Mistroma]

We made spacers to suit from acetal rod that fitted the inside dia of the kicker at either end, the ram was threaded at both ends and the spacers were tapped to fit, cut a slot in the spacer for the internal wire to run inside. Don’t forget the strut is only a tube with another sized to fit inside nothing difficult, it’s always under compression so everything stays in place

I had a similar thought. The rod I bought had threaded ends and screwed into plastic blocks. It should be possible to make something.

 

[AngusBrut]

Indeed but I have very limited resources for that kind of thing where I am and my local boat yard is a 'buy-a-new-one' kind of place. But I will give it some thought

 

[CrossedThreads]

Nice. Just figured out that there is nothing to fit the strut in to at one end. The housing plastic bits are a bit of a wreck. Looks like I will need a whole new kicker. Still not sure which one and I don't want to oversize because the price difference between the smallest and largest is a lot. I guess I just need to follow the size selector on the Selden site (although they don't list my boat).

What is your boat? One of us might know and be able to tell you.

 

[AngusBrut]

Thanks, CrossedThreads. It's a Sweden Yachts 41 (1994). It doesn't appear on the Selden configurator for some reason. It is not that obscure .

 

[Daverw]

i made my blocks on the boat with only a hacksaw and drill. Cut a plastic rod into two sections to suit the spacing needed, cut a slot in the side of the one that the wire passes along, drill a pilot hole in the middle for the ram threads, screw the plastic ends on, they will cut their own threads. put inside strut and done. With a bit more fiddling to get the pressure right, did mine in 30 minutes sat at the mast step.
could have taken it off and done it at home, if it’s not round section would get sqyard that would fit, it’s only a spacer and only needs to fit loosely and not rattle
Added sketch

 

[DJE]

I got parts for mine from Allspars.

Kicker Spares

 

[DJE]

Related but slightly different. I don't know what replacement gas strut I need as there wasn't one in strut housing (to my surprise). Anyone have any ideas on how to size the right strut?

See post #12 above. Spring balance, tape measure and basic lever theory gives you the force in the strut.

 

[dgadee]

SGS provided me with a replacement needing gas let out. Lasted 2 years then had to be regassed. 2 years later needs regassed again but boat now abroad. Regassing, I seem to remember, was 50% of new cost. Maybe I should have bought from Selden (I think who provided original).

 

[Daverw]

The cost of the SGS ram could have been replaced many times for what selden quoted and theirs is not a stainless one, ours which was adjustable for gas charge has been spot on for 5 years so far.

 

[AngusBrut]

Thanks, all. I will check out post #12 to size. My boat is in Sweden and I now see that Benns sells the springs with the plastic bits at each end so that will save me some work. Thanks for the diagram Daverw.

 

[Malcolm2628]

Did mine using a commercial replacement. The kicker is easy to dismantle so it's just a case of remove and replace.
I did have a minor problem with the screwed end of the strut rusted onto the rod of the gas strut.
I chose the easy opt out of buying a spare plastic slide to save hastle and the risk of possible breakage.
Subsequently managed to drill out the old one.
Despite having to buy the slide, it still came in muck cheaper than using the Selden part ( which by the markings on it are not made by Selden ).

Where did you get the plastic slide from, we have the same problem. Thank you

 

[Martin_J]

There's a link in post #27 in this thread to Allspars where you will find the plastic end plugs that screw onto the ends of the inner gas strut (and are shaped to slide within the aluminium outer tube).

 

[Daverw]

I made mine from some acetal rod, bit cutting and shaping, drilled hole slightly undersized and self threaded, cut a slot down side for wire to pass inside. Worked perfect for last 7 years

 

[LSCalifornia]

in the US, a good source is McMaster-Carr, this is for a Rodkicker 30 normal Stainless Steel $ 137 us $