Robin, Drilling a hole in the gas spring will produce an oil shower depending on which end you go for. The oil is for damping, so you can get a smooth, controlled steady movement. Proper operation depends on which end is up. Welding will most likely destroy the elastic seals. A better approach is to get the gas springs sized for your application. The gas springs are rated in pounds force at full rod retraction. How much PSI that turns out to be is not of any concern. As the rod extends, the force will steadily diminish until it hits the stop; the force should never go to zero before hitting the stop. You should take advantage of this characteristic by setting up the geometry between the canopy hinge and maximum extension and retraction of the gas springs. I used two each gas springs rated at 20 pounds each. (No, my canopy does not weigh 40 pounds.) http://www.guden.com/ItemDisplay/displayItem-GGS48-020-K.aspx I had to experiment with the mounting points for the gas springs to get the full canopy open position and still balance the full weight of the canopy at about 3-inches open at the aft edge. At closer than 3-inches the geometry starts to go over center and the gas springs start to push the canopy down. That's so the canopy will stay shut sitting on the ramp without having to latch it. As Larry often says: "Your results may vary."
Sid Wood Tri-gear KR-2 N6242 Mechanicsville,MD,USA sidney.w...@l-3com.com >I want to use gas struts for the canopy, I have 2 but the pressure is too high. Apparenty you can increase the pressure but most struts you cannot reduce the pressure. With the struts that you can reduce the presure there is a valve in one end but these do not have the valve. I am thinking of drilling hole & welding in a valve from a vehicle tube has anyone out there tried this & how did you get on. I only want about 10 -20 PSI. Many thanks Robin New Zealand.
