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Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)
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rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:34 am Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

I found the  canopy gas springs or struts were not strong enough to hold the canopy up even  in a light breeze.  I inquired as to the strength of the struts furnished  in the kit and found them to be 40 pounds.  I replaced them with a pair of  60 pounders and eliminated the problem of my canopy slamming down  unexpected.

      I am sure some  of you who are building or have built the ZodiacXL either have the same problem  or will have so here is the information on obtaining the stronger struts.  McMasters & Company are the people Zenith Aircraft gets the struts  from.  Their phone number is 630-833-0300.  The gas struts furnished  by Zenith for the ZodiacXL are part number 9416K12 (40 Pound)  the stronger  strut is part number 8416K123 (60 Pound)  The cost for two is $19.76,  shipping is $5.00 for a total of $24.76.  They come without the attaching  ends so you have to use your old ones however the old struts screw out and the  new one screws in.  Very easy to change.

  

 Bob Stone

 Harker Heights, Tx.

 ZodiacXL w/Jabiru 3300

          N4337G

  

   [quote][b]

larry(at)macsmachine.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:50 pm Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Thank you Robert!

I've watched my gas springs weaken over the last 3 years and now I can 

depend on the canopy dropping at the slightest provocation.  Have been 

thinking

of the solution and source for a while.

Thanks again,



Larry McFarland  601HDS at www.macsmachine.com

do not archive

robert stone wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		        I found the canopy gas springs or struts were not strong enough 

 to hold the canopy up even in a light breeze.  I inquired as to the 

 strength of the struts furnished in the kit and found them to be 40 

 pounds.  I replaced them with a pair of 60 pounders and eliminated the 

 problem of my canopy slamming down unexpected.

      I am sure some of you who are building or have built the ZodiacXL 

 either have the same problem or will have so here is the information 

 on obtaining the stronger struts. McMasters & Company are the people 

 Zenith Aircraft gets the struts from.  Their phone number is 

 630-833-0300.  The gas struts furnished by Zenith for the ZodiacXL are 

 part number 9416K12 (40 Pound)  the stronger strut is part number 

 8416K123 (60 Pound)  The cost for two is $19.76, shipping is $5.00 for 

 a total of $24.76.  They come without the attaching ends so you have 

 to use your old ones however the old struts screw out and the new one 

 screws in.  Very easy to change.

  

 Bob Stone

 Harker Heights, Tx.

 ZodiacXL w/Jabiru 3300

          N4337G

 *



 *

rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 4:41 pm Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Hay Larry,

     Good to hear from you.  I went up today and guess what!!!   I did not 

get bonked on the head with my canopy.  I was headed into a light wind and 

noticed I had left the hanger doors open so I got out with my Jabiru 3300 at 

6,000 RPM idle, closed, and locked my hanger doors, watching for the canopy 

to slam shut and it did not.  Closing it getting ready to fly is just as 

easy as before.  I then went up into the wild blue yonder with a ear to ear 

grin on my ugly face as happy as I had good sense.  Happy and safe flying/



Bob Stone



---

dredmoody(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 7:35 pm Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Man! You gotta mean 600 rpm idle or you need to  tell us what fuel you cooked up. Has to be at least 50%  nitromethane.

  

 Ed

 Do Not Archive

 Do Not Idle That Fast Either

 [quote]   ---

rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 7:49 pm Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Right, one too many Zero's

 [quote]   ---

rgeese

Joined: 16 Aug 2006
Posts: 19

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:25 am Post subject: Re: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Good advice!  Although I haven't completed installing my canopy, new springs are on order!



Just a minor correction to Roberts original post. The McMaster-Carr stock number for the 60# springs is 9416K123, not 8416K123.



Ron

rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:48 am Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

List Members,

     Ron is right as rain, I don't know how in the hell I failed to notice 

that I had one number wrong.  My only excuse is age.  The only thing good 

about getting old in Texas is my fishing license is free and I can blame all 

of my stupid errors on it.  Sorry guys, from now on I will proof read 

everything I send out before I hit the send button.



Bob Stone

---

rblassett(at)alltel.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:13 am Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Bob,



Ingenious.  Now that you have opened my eyes I too will blame my mistakes on

my fishing license:-)



I couldn't resist.  Merry Christmas.



Russ



[quote] --

japhillipsga(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:17 am Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Bob thanks for in info on the struts. I to have found the ZAC struts unable to hold the canopy forward in even just a lite breeze, but I really haven't looked to replace them. On the same subject, different plane, I am building an RV-8a as a big sister to my XL. The 8 has a baggage door on the forward side of the fuselage that would benefit from a lite strut (s). Would you consider a sale or trade for something for the struts you have excess? Let me know and thanks, Bill of Georgia 

 

 --

n4546v(at)mindspring.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:44 am Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Do not archive



Clarification please.



Do I understand correctly that in Texas all that's required to fly Light

Sport Aircraft is a Fishing License?  Would that be a Statewide or County

license?



Regards,



Randy, Las Vegas

 	  Quote: 	
		   

<rblassett(at)alltel.net>
	


 	  Quote: 	
		  

 Bob,



 Ingenious.  Now that you have opened my eyes I too will blame my mistakes

on
	


 	  Quote: 	
		   my fishing license:-)



 I couldn't resist.  Merry Christmas.

Jaybannist(at)cs.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:15 am Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Randy, Come on!  You know that merely BEING a Texan gives us license to do whatever we have the cajones to do.  Sometimes we have to cow-tow to the Feds to stay out of the jusgow (jail), but we really don't need their permission to get the job done, fer sure.

Jay in Dallas

Definitely do not archive

"Randy L. Thwing" <n4546v(at)mindspring.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

Do not archive

Clarification please.

Do I understand correctly that in Texas all that's required to fly Light

Sport Aircraft is a Fishing License?  Would that be a Statewide or County

license?

Regards,

Randy, Las Vegas

> 

<rblassett(at)alltel.net>

>

> Bob,

>

> Ingenious.  Now that you have opened my eyes I too will blame my mistakes

on

> my fishing license:-)

>

> I couldn't resist.  Merry Christmas.

dredmoody(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:39 am Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

In SW LA "License" and "Opportunity" are the same  thing.

  

 Ed

 Do Not Archive

 Do Not Dare Me Either

 [quote]   ---

Iberplanes

Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 174
Location: Igualada - Barcelona - Spain

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 11:15 am Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Hi there! 

  

 anybody know if it is possible to order this gas  struts direct from Zenith when ordering the canopy?

  

  

 Have fun !

  

 Iberplanes IGL 

http://www.iberplanes.es

Igualada -  Barcelona - Spain

   [quote][b]

_________________
Alberto Martin
601 XL - Jabiru 3300
http://www.iberplanes.es
Igualada - Barcelona - Spain

purplemoon99(at)bellsouth
Guest

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 12:20 pm Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Bob, you are a champ , I broke one today,  due to high wind, most likely caused by the warm air and sun shine down  here in florida I was going to oder two today from the big Z,  thanks  to you, I can oder the 60# , this has been an on going problem. this  list  is worth it's weight in gold....     Merry Christmas to  every body,   Hope I don't put in jail for saying Merry  Christmas...       Joe N101 HD  601XL/RAM

 [quote]   ---

rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 1:04 pm Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

When you order  the kit for the Zodiac601XL the 40# gas struts will be included.  You might  specifically request 60# struts when you order the kit however I don't know if  Zenith Aircraft even stocks the stronger ones.  I would order direct from  the McMaster-Carr Company, Stock number for the 60# strut is 9416K123,  the company web site is: http://www.mcmaster.com/

 If you order the 60# struts from Zenith  after you order the kit you will be charged for shipping from McMaster-Carr to  Zenith and then again from Zenith to you so it's better to order them  direct.  The cost is $9.88 per strut plus what ever the shipping cost to  Barcelona, Spain would be.  I hope this helps you, 

     Us airplane nuts have to stick together because the rest of the  world thinks we are all mad as hatters.  and they may be  right

  

 Bob Stone

 Harker Heights, Tx

 ZodiacXL w/Jabiru 3300

 [quote]   ---

larry(at)macsmachine.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 1:38 pm Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Hi guys,

On a related note, I have worked on my plane with the canopy up and had 

it bonk down on me several times. So until the gas springs are replaced, 

I've been using two pieces of rubber hose split on one side slipped over 

the extended cylinder arms to act as restraints.  They work fine in a 

quiet hangar that's out of the wind.



Larry McFarland  601HDS at www.macsmachine.com

PatrickW

Joined: 27 Oct 2006
Posts: 380
Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 9:22 am Post subject: Re: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

 	  Iberplanes wrote: 	
		  anybody know if it is possible to order this gas  struts direct from Zenith when ordering the canopy? 	


I am considering ordering the canopy kit from Zenith - minus the gas struts and the bubble, as it appears that there are superior substitutions available for both.



Patrick

XL/Corvair

321PT

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 40
Location: Texas

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:51 am Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

I can't remember if I got my fishing license...

 Paul

 321PT

 Please do not archive this.

  [quote][b]

rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 12:41 pm Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

Patrick,

      If possible when  you order your struts, order them direct from the distributor where Zenith gets  them.  They will be a lot cheaper and the same thing.  If ordered from  zenith, they cost more and you will also be charged for shipping from the  distributor to Zenith and again from Zenith to you.  The distributing  Company name is McMaster-Carr, their web site: http//www.McMaster.com/,

 the 60# Gas Strut (Spring) stock number  is 9416K123,  and the cost per strut is $9.88 each plus shipping.  My  shipping for two was $5.00, yours may be more or less.  The 40# strut  furnished by Zenith with the Zodiac601XL kit canopy is way too weak  for the application.  Good luck with your building.

  

 Bob Stone

 Harker Heights, Tx

 ZodiacXL w/Jabiru 3300

  

  

  

 ---

notsew_evets(at)frontiern
Guest

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 2:15 pm Post subject: Canopy Gas Struts (Springs)

I walked into the NAPA auto parts store and on the  wall wer "Dozens" of gas struts.  Used on cars for trunk lids etc, they  hadall kinds of lengths and sizes....

  

 SW

 [quote]   ---

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