Diy automated canopy lift

mitchdog7 · 11/07/2017, 05:08 PM

So I'm in the process of putting together the stand and canopy for my 180 gallon, 6x2x2, peninsula reef tank build, and I'm running into a problem. I'm trying to get the canopy to lift using an electric actuator, which I have, (it'll handle 400lbs and has 24" of travel). My problem, is since im doing a peninsula style tank, I'm trying to figure out how to support the entire almost 7' canopy from just one end? As I want the far end to be completely open, with no supports for the canopy on that side. I'm guessing the canopy is 80 lbs at most with the lights installed. I've got 2 heavy duty drawer slides, rated for 400lbs horizontally, but I don't think drawer slides are a good/safe bet, but maybe I'm wrong, and just should add a couple more.
I thought too about just using say a 1 od" steel tube, and then a ~1" ID piece of steel outside it and attach that to the canopy on each corner in the back to let it slide up and down.
Anyone have any thoughts? I tried looking at linear rail systems, but can't find much info, or anything relatively cheap.
Thanks, Mitch

mcgyvr · 11/07/2017, 05:44 PM

Can you draw a picture of the setup?
And please indicate the direction of movement..

It seems like you want to cantilever the canopy but I'm not clear in which direction you want it to "lift".. or where your mounting/lifting points area..

gargoylenest · 11/09/2017, 06:59 AM

maybe you need to look at something like this:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QLdRFX9wV3Q/maxresdefault.jpg
with the actuator pushing a perpendicular rod, which in turn will push the base of the scissor on each side, which are held at the base in some kind of rails.
that's how I'd do it, anyway

11/07/2017, 05:08 PM	#1
mitchdog7 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 13	Diy automated canopy lift So I'm in the process of putting together the stand and canopy for my 180 gallon, 6x2x2, peninsula reef tank build, and I'm running into a problem. I'm trying to get the canopy to lift using an electric actuator, which I have, (it'll handle 400lbs and has 24" of travel). My problem, is since im doing a peninsula style tank, I'm trying to figure out how to support the entire almost 7' canopy from just one end? As I want the far end to be completely open, with no supports for the canopy on that side. I'm guessing the canopy is 80 lbs at most with the lights installed. I've got 2 heavy duty drawer slides, rated for 400lbs horizontally, but I don't think drawer slides are a good/safe bet, but maybe I'm wrong, and just should add a couple more. I thought too about just using say a 1 od" steel tube, and then a ~1" ID piece of steel outside it and attach that to the canopy on each corner in the back to let it slide up and down. Anyone have any thoughts? I tried looking at linear rail systems, but can't find much info, or anything relatively cheap. Thanks, Mitch

11/07/2017, 05:44 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Can you draw a picture of the setup? And please indicate the direction of movement.. It seems like you want to cantilever the canopy but I'm not clear in which direction you want it to "lift".. or where your mounting/lifting points area.. __________________ Who me?

11/09/2017, 06:59 AM	#3
gargoylenest Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: montreal,canada Posts: 135	maybe you need to look at something like this: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QLdRFX9wV3Q/maxresdefault.jpg with the actuator pushing a perpendicular rod, which in turn will push the base of the scissor on each side, which are held at the base in some kind of rails. that's how I'd do it, anyway