Don't laugh! Automating canopy lift

[angela1]

Okay I'm 5' 0" female who is completely addicted to this hobby and just got myself a new 210 tank with canopy.

I have to climb three steps up on a ladder to gain access to the tank and the canopy is quite heavy and large at 7' long. I've asked my husband to use his electrical engineering background to rig a device that either is activated by me starting to lift the canopy or some kind of motor that with the flip of a switch lifts the canopy for me.

I know, you can call me spoiled, but hey it's my project! :celeb3:

SO...in case I'm reinventing the wheel has anyone done this already and or have ideas?

I'm looking at hydraulic hinges, hydraulic struts, hydraulic truck camper jacks, and simple motors all as strange possibilities.

[g8gxp]

Linear actuator system
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1674506

Tubular motor (althought this one was for just the lights)
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1767159

There's also something called a light mover. Basically a set of rails on the ceiling with chains attached to the lights, moving them horizontally back and forth. I'm sure you could modify it to hold the whole canopy. If you have space to hide it you could also get a cheapo electric winch from harbor freight, not ideal if it is out in the open though.

[onebadbug]

On one of my long DIY tanks a decade ago I used a pair of rear Dodge Caravan rear door strut/springs to make my hood easier to open and also close softly after it accidentally slammed shut breaking half the lights in it... and pretty much made a total mess in the tank...

Not sure I would go as far as to powering it... But hell.. if ya can? then hell why not...LOL

[angela1]

Thanks. I'd actually prefer to use the hinge on the canopy and not install a motor overhead. I see in other posts some people have used gas springs. I may look into seeing if these are made in stainless steel and if there are other options of opening it utilizing the hinge.

Struts ... now thats an idea too.

[customcolor]

i did the struts on my 125 a few years ago...it made things so much easier! i still needed to prop it to stay open but boy was it lite.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1144204

[b_s_c1]

How complicated do you want to get. If you just want the canopy to be easier to open struts will do the job. If you want it automated now it gets complicated. Off the top of my head, the easiest way of doing this would be with pneumatic rams or actuators a solenoid and a switch. If you want to go all electric this would require a motor, gears, limits, and a three way switch. There is most likely other options, these were the first ones I could think of.

[angela1]

Well, it's heavy and awkward so....I don't mind complicated as long as it ends up being a good design that's long term. Thanks for the ideas!

[cpl40475]

According to what type room you have available look into a small electric winch. An eye bolt in each corner all with cable coming to a center ring that hooks up to the cable from the winch and small pully connected to a floor/ceiling joist. This way the motor isnt above the tank but mounted off to the side.

[b_s_c1]

Well, it's heavy and awkward so....I don't mind complicated as long as it ends up being a good design that's long term. Thanks for the ideas!

I thought about it over night and came up with a very good solution. Install a button and connect it to a very loud horn or siren. Then train your husband to come to the sound and raise the canopy.

[wakeboardgeek]

This is a great idea for us lazy folks too! :)

[itsmateo]

i did the struts on my 125 a few years ago...it made things so much easier! i still needed to prop it to stay open but boy was it lite.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1144204

So can I ask what happens when the struts go out and leak hydraulic fluid into the tank???

[OodleyBoodely]

I'm not sure if these would work for you, but, this is something I'm looking into for my 29ga. Retractible light hangers. These support upto 22lb per pair and multiple set can be used, although they still may not be strong enough for your canopy. You might look throught this site, though, as I think they offered other options, too.

YoYo hangers; http://www.jollygreenhydro.com/onlinestore/home.php?cat=400
Light rails;
http://www.jollygreenhydro.com/onlinestore/home.php?cat=420

[Smiley1]

garage door opener?

[angela1]

I thought about it over night and came up with a very good solution. Install a button and connect it to a very loud horn or siren. Then train your husband to come to the sound and raise the canopy.
LOL! Pavlov. I'll work on it and let you know how that goes.

[angela1]

garage door opener?

We toyed with that idea too but couldn't think of how to employ the motor...

[albano]

years ago, on an 8' 300g tank, with a very heavy hood, I used lead weights inside 2 large PVC pipes as counter weights for a hinged hood...worked great, hood could stay in just about any position, and would not 'drop' down, had to be pulled down!



.

[Smiley1]

how about an electric winch... like what they use on quads....

[Kungpaoshizi]

ya I would agree with the wench ideas, just put a line or 2 from 1 or 2 wench's on the wall with cables going up to eye-screws above the tank, heck a hand wound would work as well too just gotta watch the descent speed so stuff doesn't break

[clownfreak]

Someone on here used an electric cart motor and rigged it up to lift their canopy with a button

[nfh63]

Check out the Thule web site (http://www.thule.com/en/US/Products/CargoCarriers/Boxes/159653.aspx?view=Accessories)for car roof box lifters (571 Boxlift).

[ReefTeacher]

This is one of the reasons I always go with an open top aquarium. Why fight the lifting, the heat build-up, the annoyance of opening the cabinet every time I need to do something in the tank. Plus you get the advantage of viewing from above. I always kept my goldfish tanks and my reefs open top!

[reefboy1994]

go on you tube and look it up. i have seen around a dozen threads where people use linear actuators and heaxy duty drawer pulls. it works perfect and all they do is puch a button.

here is a good example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRRjpCvAOqM

there are drawer pulls on both sides of the canopy and a linear actuator in the middle.


this does seem a little dangerouse though, if the canopy isnt lined up right it could come down on the tank and crack it.

[stugray]

angela1,

One thing we need to know is: Is price even a consideration?

If not, I would suggest one of these:
http://www.geniecompany.com/GenieCompany.aspx?cid=560

It is a DC motor so speed control is easily within the capabilities of us on this forum to help you get it setup.

You could add one of these for total control:

http://www.factorymation.com/s.nl/it.A/id.42/.f?sc=2&category=1296

It can read limit switches, control buttons & control up vs. down.

Or, you could just build a hood like mine that uses the gas lift struts ( they are not stainless ):

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1484647

Stu

[angela1]

angela1,

One thing we need to know is: Is price even a consideration?

If not, I would suggest one of these:
http://www.geniecompany.com/GenieCompany.aspx?cid=560

It is a DC motor so speed control is easily within the capabilities of us on this forum to help you get it setup.

You could add one of these for total control:

http://www.factorymation.com/s.nl/it.A/id.42/.f?sc=2&category=1296

It can read limit switches, control buttons & control up vs. down.

Or, you could just build a hood like mine that uses the gas lift struts ( they are not stainless ):

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1484647

Stu

Okay, great! I didn't want to use a linear lift and wanted to conceal whatever solution I use. My husband is an electrical engineer and this project will be thrown to him. What exactly would you suggest we do with the garage door opener & the controller?

[stugray]

"My husband is an electrical engineer and this project will be thrown to him. What exactly would you suggest we do with the garage door opener & the controller? "

Just tell him "another engineer online said it could be done with these two simple things, BUT...... you probably cant figure it out".

If he is anything like me, it will be done in record time.


The drive is a screw-drive so it can lift the weight of the hood directly.
The controller can make it go up & down with limit switches to tell it when to stop.

You dont need anything that fancy, but it is easy & you can use it for lots of other things like ATO & RO/DI reservoir fill up.

Stu

[BeanAnimal]

I see plenty of people eager to help and offer solutions, but how can a solution be offered when the problem has not been defined?

Very few people have asked questions and have instead proposed answers that may or may not fit the criteria the OP has in mind.

1) How big (dimensions) and heavy (pounds) is the hood.
2) Does the whole hood lift or just part of it?
3) does it pivot and if so what kind of hinge?
4) Would the ideal solution be to pivot the hood open, lift it high above the tank, or slide it off to one side or another?
5) is visible equipment acceptable?
6) can the walls or ceilings be used to hold or hide equipment?
7) is it ok to see ropes, cables or pulleys in the room?
8) how much room is in the hood for equipment?
10) does the solution need to be automated or is manual operation ok?
11) does the solution need to be maintenance free or is it ok to provide a solution that will need regular maintence and/or replacment of wear parts?
12) what is the budget?

Without answering these (and more) questions, there is no way a solution can be evaluated.

There are numerous ways to attack this problem. Gas struts, linear actuators, pulleys, levers, winches.. and many combinations of these machines can be used. Each device or combination of devices has pros and cons. Instead of considering ALL of the possible solutions, we can narrow the field down by prioritizing the goals and answers to questions such as those posted above.

[sedor]

Here is a classy, elegant way of creating an automatic lift. The best example I have seen is on a fellow RC'ers build:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1560337&page=3

I am starting you out on page 3 where he begins to document the auto lift. Its a simple design but it does the job, and you don't end up with a slew of cables and motors turning your living room into an unfinished garage.

[angela1]

Okay so I said "Another engineer said he did it with these two items but you won't be able to figure it out" and IT WORKED! :) He's on a mission, I'll let you know how it turns out. It will be about a month before we get started because I have a lot of $$ going into getting it up and running.

[angela1]

"My husband is an electrical engineer and this project will be thrown to him. What exactly would you suggest we do with the garage door opener & the controller? "

Just tell him "another engineer online said it could be done with these two simple things, BUT...... you probably cant figure it out".

If he is anything like me, it will be done in record time.


The drive is a screw-drive so it can lift the weight of the hood directly.
The controller can make it go up & down with limit switches to tell it when to stop.

You dont need anything that fancy, but it is easy & you can use it for lots of other things like ATO & RO/DI reservoir fill up.

Stu

I see plenty of people eager to help and offer solutions, but how can a solution be offered when the problem has not been defined?

Very few people have asked questions and have instead proposed answers that may or may not fit the criteria the OP has in mind.

1) How big (dimensions) and heavy (pounds) is the hood. 7' x 2' and about 50lbs
2) Does the whole hood lift or just part of it? Just lift from the front (as I would)
3) does it pivot and if so what kind of hinge? It has 4 door hinges
4) Would the ideal solution be to pivot the hood open, lift it high above the tank, or slide it off to one side or another? I just want to pivot the hood, nothing visible
5) is visible equipment acceptable? No
6) can the walls or ceilings be used to hold or hide equipment? No
7) is it ok to see ropes, cables or pulleys in the room? No
8) how much room is in the hood for equipment? 5 1/2"H x 5"D x 64"L & plenty of space in the cabinet below
10) does the solution need to be automated or is manual operation ok? Either but not visible
11) does the solution need to be:thumbsup: maintenance free or is it ok to provide a solution that will need regular maintence and/or replacment of wear parts? Maintenance is not a problem
12) what is the budget? I'd like to stay under $300

Without answering these (and more) questions, there is no way a solution can be evaluated.

There are numerous ways to attack this problem. Gas struts, linear actuators, pulleys, levers, winches.. and many combinations of these machines can be used. Each device or combination of devices has pros and cons. Instead of considering ALL of the possible solutions, we can narrow the field down by prioritizing the goals and answers to questions such as those posted above.

[BeanAnimal]

Angela,

The simplest option would be to use gas struts sized to counter the weight of the hood. Proplery sized and placed, the hood will easily lift and close with one hand. Protective covers made from water resistant fabric and elastic can be made to cover the struts and help protect them from the salt spray.

Using the struts in combination with an inexpensive linear actuator is also an option, as is using linear actuators without the aid of the struts.

There will be some maintenance (both proactive and evential replacement) due to the environment.

While there are other options that meet your criteria, most will be centered around an off the shelf linear actuator or an actuator made of discrete components (gear motor, pulley, etc).

Keep it simple and use the struts. If you MUST have automation, use an actuator assisted by the struts. You can get away with a smaller, faster actuator that way.

[Ratkiller]

When you have time to take a look at this thread. It's amazing!!!! Here is a direct link to the info on his lift.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1767159&page=3
More info on page 5.
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[Uncko Macko]

I've been trying to find that light lift with no luck. Somebody help!

[eskymick]

I've been trying to find that light lift with no luck. Somebody help!

I think you might want to start looking here:

http://danedhorstead.tech.officelive.com/default.aspx