Canopy gas springs

Don E · #1 02-10-2019, 06:49 PM

I’m just 28 hours into Phase I and having trouble with the gas springs being unable to support the weight of the canopy. I ordered and just received replacements from Vans; but before i go to the trouble to install them, is anyone else having this trouble? Anyone used a different gas spring (stronger?) Never mind the wind blowing it shut; with temps below freezing it won’t stay up in the shelter of a hangar.

I’ve read that some replace the gas springs on their tip-up 7s and 7As every two years, so apparently they wear out. Mine are... new but useless. Would love to know what others are doing. Otherwise, Phase I is going very well, and the airplane flies like a dream! It is a tail dragger, which puts the canopy at a little more difficult angle to support than the A models.

Thanks.

FLY6 · #2 02-10-2019, 07:27 PM

Don, scroll down on today’s post and you will find a thread titled
“Found, cheaper source of canopy struts” it explains what struts others are using.

Don E · #3 02-10-2019, 08:05 PM

Yes, i read that, but i don’t think they are the same as what are used on the RV-14 and 14A. Does anyone know? The ones I got from Vans are not a similar model #.

rvbuilder2002 · #4 02-10-2019, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don E

Yes, i read that, but i don’t think they are the same as what are used on the RV-14 and 14A. Does anyone know? The ones I got from Vans are not a similar model #.

They are not the same.

Don E · #5 02-10-2019, 08:32 PM

What makes it more difficult is that the Stabilus website doesn’t seem to list the gas springs i have, so i cannot assess whether or not thereis a stouter one in the same size. They don’t seem to be the easiest bunch to connect with, either. Thanks for confirming they are different; i’ll keep working it.

KeithB · #6 02-11-2019, 08:58 AM

Mine is a RV-14A, so I don't have the deck angle problem, but the original struts are going strong after 2 years. I leave my canopy in the open position in the hangar under the belief it reduces "wear" on the struts.

Bavafa · #7 02-11-2019, 10:06 AM

Also, cold temp effect these just as any of them including those in the car. This is just in case that yours are fine but cold temp is effecting them.

Don E · #8 02-11-2019, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavafa

Also, cold temp effect these just as any of them including those in the car. This is just in case that yours are fine but cold temp is effecting them.

Yes, I know the cold temps reduce their strength. That’s why I hoped someone had addressed this issue. My canopy has made my RV-14 a two-person airplane just for one person to fly. The canopy needs support at all times if open below 30 degrees, and can’t be left open in any breeze at all below 50 degrees or so. It doesn’t seem right. In any case, it isn’t acceptable to me, so i am on the hunt for a 400N gas spring of the same size... if there is one. The current ones are 350N, about 78 pounds, rated. Fifteen percent stronger would be about 90 pounds... Just be careful with them; it came down on my head and left hand over two weeks ago when i thought it would stay up, and my head and hand are both still healing. If it’s just the cold, surely others must be experiencing similar issues.

Bavafa · #9 02-11-2019, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don E

Yes, I know the cold temps reduce their strength. That’s why I hoped someone had addressed this issue. My canopy has made my RV-14 a two-person airplane just for one person to fly. The canopy needs support at all times if open below 30 degrees, and can’t be left open in any breeze at all below 50 degrees or so. It doesn’t seem right. In any case, it isn’t acceptable to me, so i am on the hunt for a 400N gas spring of the same size... if there is one. The current ones are 350N, about 78 pounds, rated. Fifteen percent stronger would be about 90 pounds... Just be careful with them; it came down on my head and left hand over two weeks ago when i thought it would stay up, and my head and hand are both still healing. If it’s just the cold, surely others must be experiencing similar issues.

Thanks for the heads up and warning. Actually, mine are not that great either and they have just entered the service only a couple of months ago. They will hold up the canopy if it is all the way up, but as I push it up, I need to make sure it is not half way up and let go, unlike my old 7 which seemed a lot more positive.
If you found a better set, please let us know. I would probably replace mine for that bit of an assurance.

gasman · #10 02-12-2019, 12:34 PM

If you purchase struts that end up being too strong, try one strong one on the pilots side only..... providing you only open and close your canopy from this side. Doing this allows you to install a much stronger strut to hold up the canopy without causing the canopy to twist.

Keep in mind the increased closed pressure on the forward strut mount will need to be braced.