Linear Actuators on Trailer

Has anyone used 12v electro-mechanical/12v electro-hydraulic/manual hydraulic linear actuators on a clam shell/alligator type trailer top. I have bent 4 (SUSPA) gas springs in the past 4 months. Ordered what was on the trailer when purchased. Ordered a pair of Bansbach Easylift gas springs, but waiting for the SUSPA gas springs currently on the trailer to fail before I put the new ones on.
If you have done any type of linear actuators and it is working, can you forward photos? If tried and it is a futile effort on my part let me know, I would prefer to spend my funds on other glider stuff.

r/Jim
N9XL/H201B

Are they bending when extended or retracted? Check on the mechanism to make sure you aren't getting something nearly on center when open. If you go there, loads go out of sight high, and you can bend things when you try to move it back the other way.

Steve Leonard

On Wednesday, November 27, 2013 2:05:09 PM UTC-5, Steve Leonard wrote:
Are they bending when extended or retracted? Check on the mechanism to make sure you aren't getting something nearly on center when open. If you go there, loads go out of sight high, and you can bend things when you try to move it back the other way.



Steve Leonard

They bend when bringing the top down. They bend to the back of the trailer.
The trailer weighs in at 1200lbs. sq tube truss construction covered in aluminum sheeting. suspect from the size of the top it weighs in at a good 600lbs+.

I'm not a mechanical engineer, but I've seen lift struts encased in square
tubing. There are two square tubes, sized to slide into each other. They
are attached to the pivots on the top and bottom of the trailer using the
same bolts that attach the gas strut to the trailer.

It would appear that the square tubing would support the gas struts and
prevent or reduce the tendency to bend.

But, then again, I'm not a mechanical engineer.

wrote in message
...
On Wednesday, November 27, 2013 2:05:09 PM UTC-5, Steve Leonard wrote:
Are they bending when extended or retracted? Check on the mechanism to
make sure you aren't getting something nearly on center when open. If
you go there, loads go out of sight high, and you can bend things when
you try to move it back the other way.



Steve Leonard

They bend when bringing the top down. They bend to the back of the
trailer.
The trailer weighs in at 1200lbs. sq tube truss construction covered in
aluminum sheeting. suspect from the size of the top it weighs in at a
good 600lbs+.

Something like this?
http://www.servocity.com/html/560_lb...r_actuato.html

Don't know your stroke length requirement, but these guys may be able to
custom build what you're looking for. PS - They ain't cheap!

wrote in message
...
Has anyone used 12v electro-mechanical/12v electro-hydraulic/manual
hydraulic linear actuators on a clam shell/alligator type trailer top. I
have bent 4 (SUSPA) gas springs in the past 4 months. Ordered what was on
the trailer when purchased. Ordered a pair of Bansbach Easylift gas
springs, but waiting for the SUSPA gas springs currently on the trailer to
fail before I put the new ones on.
If you have done any type of linear actuators and it is working, can you
forward photos? If tried and it is a futile effort on my part let me know,
I would prefer to spend my funds on other glider stuff.

r/Jim
N9XL/H201B

On Wednesday, November 27, 2013 12:46:41 PM UTC-5, wrote:
Has anyone used 12v electro-mechanical/12v electro-hydraulic/manual hydraulic linear actuators on a clam shell/alligator type trailer top. I have bent 4 (SUSPA) gas springs in the past 4 months. Ordered what was on the trailer when purchased. Ordered a pair of Bansbach Easylift gas springs, but waiting for the SUSPA gas springs currently on the trailer to fail before I put the new ones on.

If you have done any type of linear actuators and it is working, can you forward photos? If tried and it is a futile effort on my part let me know, I would prefer to spend my funds on other glider stuff.



r/Jim

N9XL/H201B

Jim,
when a long slender member like a cylinder or gas spring bends or buckles, it is a clear indication of side-loading. There are several ways of introducing side loading, such as the member's own weight (not likely in your case), the member interfering with something during its operation (you would have seen that already) or due to torque introduced into the pivot points. Please check if both rod ends are free to swivel, i.e. have either a straight bushing or better yet a spherical eye end. The bolt or pin going through said bearing must not bind the rod or body end of the gas spring.
The nesting square tubing Dan M. mentioned are more for protection and guidance of the shell and they may limit the sway of the shell as it moves up and down. Are you seeing this damage on an Eberle trailer which many Std.Libelles came in?
Uli

Jim - Take some photos of the trailer top lift
mechanism in the closed and open positions and
post them, otherwise we're all guessing here.
Forget about linear actuators!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"

Yah, but wouldn't it be great to push a button, take a sip of your beer, and
watch the lid open/close? The tail gate on my car does that (by wireless!)
and it's very nice!


"Dave Nadler" wrote in message
...
Jim - Take some photos of the trailer top lift
mechanism in the closed and open positions and
post them, otherwise we're all guessing here.
Forget about linear actuators!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"

On Thursday, November 28, 2013 10:56:25 AM UTC-5, Dan Marotta wrote:
Yah, but wouldn't it be great to push a button, take a sip of your beer,
and watch the lid open/close?

Sure, until only one side operates.
Then again, I'm still frightened by my new car...

Much simpler to fix the original mechanical problem,
though no doubt less entertaining.

A second beer will alleviate worries about single-sided failures...


"Dave Nadler" wrote in message
...
On Thursday, November 28, 2013 10:56:25 AM UTC-5, Dan Marotta wrote:
Yah, but wouldn't it be great to push a button, take a sip of your beer,
and watch the lid open/close?

Sure, until only one side operates.
Then again, I'm still frightened by my new car...

Much simpler to fix the original mechanical problem,
though no doubt less entertaining.