Another Mechanical Problem

"Jim Thompson" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

Interesting lift system

Drawer slide mounted on Top, that slides out (horizontal) for some leverage?

Block and tackle to ceiling?

Gas charged lift support? (automobile stuff, you need to mount inside hood. This could work well.)

Cheers

Well, something must be accessible or you couldn't get your thumbs on it. You also don't mention material or really very much.

At any rate, I'd go for a lever arm of some sort.

Indeed! I hadn't thought of lifting the whole hood, but maybe that's a scheme to consider... my tank is 250gal.

Thought of that as a temporary fix. There is an A/C duct about 12' off the floor from which I could attach. (This is in the Great Room,

No room there. Next time around ;-) ...Jim Thompson

=A0 =A0 ...Jim Thompson

=A0 =A0| =A0 =A0mens =A0 =A0 |

=A0 | =A0 =A0 et =A0 =A0 =A0|

=A0|

=A0 =A0 =A0 |

Counter-weight from a pulley on the ceiling. When the lid is closed adjust the weight to 95% of the lid weight. Put a stop on the lid so that it will only open enough to feed the fish. Since the lid is hinged the weight needed to lift it will decline as it swings up. If you choose the counterweight properly it will hold the lid open while feeding and just pulling it down will close it until you lift it again. It will also be a lot easier on you.

I don't know how you'd make this look good, but the idea is:

=============Lever================ ----------------------- ^ Hinge| |

Depending on how the large top is made I think that's the best suggestion yet since you don't really need to lift the whole thing just to put food in, unless you're feeding them whole dogs, cats, or people.

Feed me, Seymore

A couple of conveniently sized trap doors.

How tall is the lid?

- A loop in the center, permanently affixed, to shove a stick into. The longer the stick, the less lifting effort, but the larger the travel.

- A smaller hole or trap in the lid to drop pinches of food through.

RL

Could you replace the hinges with something like this?

FYI, you don't "replace the hinge" with those. They're a spring load mechanism but you still need a hinge.

=A0 =A0 ...Jim Thompson

=A0 =A0| =A0 =A0mens =A0 =A0 |

=A0 | =A0 =A0 et =A0 =A0 =A0|

=A0|

=A0 =A0 =A0 |

Can you cut a little 'feeding' hole somewhere?, maybe a tube that slides in? Perhaps an automatic feeder inside the tank? How long ya going to be gone for? I use a battery powered feeder during two week trips to Cape Cod. (Fresh water S. American Chiclids.)

George H.

You don't give dimensions, but one way around it for a temporary fix without being too unsightly would be to wedge it open say an inch high at the front and put closed cell foam in the gap to avoid heat loss.

You only need a gap wide enough to get food in - and presumably you are not keeping sharks so we are not talking whole chicken carcasses here.

Longer term you might consider redesigning the lid so that it can slide open slightly for more easy routine access to feed them.

????? what has this to do with feeding fish ????? or anything else ?????

Regards, Martin Brown

Not easily. It'd require pulling the hood, and all its light wiring. ...Jim Thompson

Aha! By golly I think you have it, George! There are some vents in the back for which I can probably custom make some PVC... I feed cubes (Emerald Entree and Mysis Shrimp) thawed in RO water, so it can be easily poured.

THANKS! ...Jim Thompson

Cut a hole in the lid.....

Also a good suggestion... use one of those desk "grommets" to get the SWMBO Seal of Approval :-) ...Jim Thompson

One of these?

Or maybe a casement window operator and crank:

"Jim Thompson" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

I posted a wheel and cam system with a added stick for more leverage on my photobucket page. It's a quickie drawing, but I think you will get it.

The best solution will involve a counterweight!

If there's low friction, and room behind, a counterweight that puts the lid center of gravity slightly above and on the lid side of the hinges should work out well -- it'll take slight force to open, it'll tend to stay closed, and once it's opened enough it'll _stay_ opened. As long as it's not bonking into a wall, it should be perfect.