Roof top gas struts

[RonnyTvan]

Hi all

Have just bought a Topaz 2 2016 model with two 120 Watt glass roof top solar panels on the roof.  The roof is very hard to raise and the previous owner acknowledged this and recommended that the gas struts need to be replaced.  The existing struts appear to be 550N. Question is based on experience with this sort of load, what sized struts work best?
Thanks in advance
Ron

[Gryphen]

Hi Ronny,

when I fitted my glass panels to the roof i replaced the 4 gas struts with some from https://www.strutspecialists.com.au/ the part number I have a photo of is U83010@600N I find it reasonable to push the roof up, though at times it feels like I should have gone a little stronger maybe 650N.

[gnome 52]

Hi Ron
        I have 2x135w panels up top and I had mine regassed to 700nm and that seems to be a good balance between lifting and pulling back down. when I had to replace them I just ordered the new ones at 700nm.


     Cheers Neil

[Greyghoster]

I spray silicone lubricant on the rollers and track of the scissor lift structure. It helps a lot.

[Ropetangler]

Thanks Greyghoster for that tip, I must give it a go. I have 3 Victron 305 watt panels which pretty much give me a tropical roof as an additional bonus. I had my struts regassed to 800N I think it was, but unfortunately the increased pressure was only a marginal improvement I think because the assistance is minimal when the roof is down, and is at a maximum only when the roof is fully raised due to the changing angles of the struts as the roof cycles from lowered to the raised position.
Someone much cleverer than me might be able to devise a setup where the struts operated in a vertical direction, without making a pretty ugly installation, but I can't imagine it on a Topaz myself. If it could be done, the gas struts could be set up to make raising and lowering the roof much easier for those of us who are feeling our age