Selden kicker - gas replacement

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peter2407

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I replaced the gas bottle on my Selden kicker about 5 years ago, the original having rusted. I think I need to do the same again as the 'lift' is non existent. Two questions:

a. Anything I can do to assess that a replacement is needed before going to the effort of taking it off (I used the main halyard as a topping lift, but couldn't get it to raise).
b. Where is the best/cheapest supplier in the event that I do need to replace it? (and how can I find the spec so I can shop around)?

TIA
 
peter2407 said:
I replaced the gas bottle on my Selden kicker about 5 years ago, the original having rusted. I think I need to do the same again as the 'lift' is non existent. Two questions:

a. Anything I can do to assess that a replacement is needed before going to the effort of taking it off (I used the main halyard as a topping lift, but couldn't get it to raise).
b. Where is the best/cheapest supplier in the event that I do need to replace it? (and how can I find the spec so I can shop around)?

TIA
Click to expand...

To be honest I given up trying to replace mine after the fourth email some contain photo and measurements I give up with Seldom to work out which I had , there can't be that amount of models ,plus the topping lift does a good job ,
Have you seen the price of them ?
Hope you have better luck .
 
Set up the boom with the normal furled sail and cover on. get some bathroom scales and stand in the cockpit on the scales and lift the boom up. Record the weight/force required to lift it. You now have to correct for the fact that you have lifted the end of the boom rather than where the kicker acts. Measure the length from the gooseneck to the boom end and from the gooseneck to the kicker fitting on the boom. Divide the first into the second and multiply the force figure. You now have to correct for the fact that the kicker acts at an angle to the boom usually 30 degrees, this will double the required strut force. More accurately measure the angle and divide the required force by sin(theta) theta being the angle between kicker and boom. Add 10% and you have it. Buy stainless springs rather than the rubbish steel ones. I bought mine from Kent Gas Springs
 
Ours originally was fitted with a spring and changed this for a gas strut, made an acetal plug for each end, and fitted in so it sat at the bottom and top when extended, as we did not know the force we got an adjustable one that was slightly over length, let some gas out until it held the boom correctly, this was a stainless one from www.sgs-engineering.com › Gas Struts, cost about £50, worked perfectly for the last year
 
Daverw said:
Ours originally was fitted with a spring and changed this for a gas strut, made an acetal plug for each end, and fitted in so it sat at the bottom and top when extended, as we did not know the force we got an adjustable one that was slightly over length, let some gas out until it held the boom correctly, this was a stainless one from www.sgs-engineering.com › Gas Struts, cost about £50, worked perfectly for the last year
Click to expand...

Replaced ours from Struts Direct about 5 years ago. The original Selden unit failed after 18 months and Selden dealer took several weeks to get back with a quote. If I remember correctly, something like £200-£300 and a wait for it to be ordered.

I'd ordered from Struts Direct by that time (ours was SDSS-04-250 1200N). Selden original had a stainless piston and ordinary steel body. Struts Direct supplied a fully Stainless item for around £80 (expect it's over £100 by now, but way better value than Selden).
 
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