Gas Strut on Chart Table Lid

[Sans Bateau]

And collapse the lid on you if you so much as breathe on it :encouragement:

If its wrongly fitted that is.

 

[LadyInBed]

I have found that the spring supports work best, nothing to leak out and will take the weather.
http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Support-Spring-Molded-Mounts/dp/B001448XMS

 

[xeitosaphil]

Minimal modification, then - replace the string with shockcord and put a hook on the end. Much quicker than hitching it on every time.

Pete

I use a 9" loop of 5mm rope with a knot in one end, fed through the Hasp on the locker lid just hooked around the mainsheet cleat on the coaming, works for me.

Philip

 

[David2452]

I have stainless ones on our cockpit locker lids which are each about 4' square, not the kitchen ones that are suitable for the smaller stuff but they are available from numerous sources.

 

[David2452]

I wonder if something like a bonnet prop would be a good idea, simple, mechanical and secure, Oh, also cheap.

 

[prv]

I wonder if something like a bonnet prop would be a good idea, simple, mechanical and secure, Oh, also cheap.

Probably get in the way when pulling big stuff like dinghies in and out. And as soon as you have to manually apply it, it's no better than the shockcord and hook or lanyard over cleat or all the other simple things people have been doing for years.

Pete

 

[PetiteFleur]

I just used a simple hinged length of wood which I just lift up and keeps the lid open, simple, nothing to go wrong and cost nothing!

 

[nigelmercier]

I'm thinking of fitting a Gas Strut to my Chart Table Lid; I saw this on eBay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271071839506
Dimensions of the lid are 400mm x 700mm, hinge along the long side. Weight of lid is 2.4kg.

[Update]

I've made a mock-up at home, same weight and depth (different width, but irrelevant). The calculators I've seen for various gas struts say that for a "door" of this size, a 120N strut is required. As the lid is being held almost vertical, rather than horizontal, I've found that a strut of 50N is more than enough, I think 30N would do. However the extra capacity will prevent it dropping in choppy conditions.

With 50N it self-opens from about 45°. With the chamber pivot mounted 240mm from the hinge, the piston pivot at 80mm, I get 100° opening, and a 3mm gap when closed.

However, note that I've found a new source of gas struts:

http://moderix.co.uk/index.php/furniture-hardware/gas-struts.html

 

[Vara]

One of those buckling-spring props would hold it open just as well, without delivering an uppercut to the chin on the way up

Pete

Work of the devil, too easy to trip accidentally, I have the scar to prove it.

 

[pvb]

[Update]

I've made a mock-up at home, same weight and depth (different width, but irrelevant). The calculators I've seen for various gas struts say that for a "door" of this size, a 120N strut is required. As the lid is being held almost vertical, rather than horizontal, I've found that a strut of 50N is more than enough, I think 30N would do. However the extra capacity will prevent it dropping in choppy conditions.

With 50N it self-opens from about 45°. With the chamber pivot mounted 240mm from the hinge, the piston pivot at 80mm, I get 100° opening, and a 3mm gap when closed.

However, note that I've found a new source of gas struts:

Thanks for this thread, Nigel. Inspired by your experiments, I bought a 60N strut from the eBay supplier you mentioned (a big investment of £1.89 inc postage). Fitted it to the chart table today, in place of the bendy spring. Works a treat!

 

[concentrik]

The other day I found the 'spare' strut, the one which still had the rating sticker attached - 150N. Sounds a lot but my nav station lid is about 80cm x 70cm and usually has the Panasonic Toughbook plotter atop, plus sundry other junk so it's actually about right for me.