Yea --- this is true --- when the top is only up an inch or two there isn't
a whole lot of force from the struts --- but give it a little push and up
she goes.

Doug

On Sun, Dec 14, 2008 at 7:17 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> Depending on where the pivot points for the assist struts are located,
> determines whether they supply 'up pressure' when the top is down.
> If the pivot points are located cleverly........
> there can be almost zero up pressure with the top down......
> I don't think there is room, geometrically,  speaking to do this........I
> think one pivot would need to be below the level of the top......but it
> could even be made to go over center so it's pulling the top down when the
> top is down, yet still supply plenty of up force when the top is up.
> Scott
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Doug Alcock" <doug.alcock@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 10:44 AM
> Subject: Re: leaking in the rain
>
>
>
> Hi Joy --- I don't have much trouble closing the top --- laden or unladen.
>> I
>> 'slam ' it down from about 4 inches -- after I've tucked the canvas in.
>> And
>> yea it can be a bit lopsided --- I personally pull it down by the
>> spring-loaded bar until I can reach the handle -- and I try very hard to
>> keep the bar horizontal as I pull it down in the belief I might be putting
>> strain on the bar that it wan't designed for if it dones come down evenly
>> --- I've already replace that whole assembly once and really don't want to
>> do it again.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Doug
>>
>> On Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 8:52 PM, Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Doug, do you have trouble closing the top with the struts?  I find I have
>>> to
>>> slam it down REALLY hard - and that's with the kayak and the racks adding
>>> 50
>>> or so pounds of extra weight.  It takes around four tries usually before
>>> I
>>> get it shut.  I can't imagine how I'll be able to close it without the
>>> kayak.  It's also fairly lopsided, I have to remember to only pull down
>>> on
>>> the side without the kayak, since the boat adds all the weight on the
>>> passenger side.
>>>
>>> On the other hand, I CAN open the poptop with the kayak up there now!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Joy
>>>
>>>
>>> On Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 8:45 PM, Doug Alcock <doug.alcock@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> > Geez --- you're having a hard time with those struts. I've had no leaks
>>> in
>>> > mine since I put the struts in. If you physically examine the seal when
>>> it
>>> > is closed is there a gap? Maybe try spraying it with a hose when the >
>>> top
>>> is
>>> > down. There is adjustment in the poptop latch --- maybe it needs to be
>>> > tightened.
>>> >
>>> > Cheers,
>>> > Doug
>>> >
>>> >  On Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 2:57 PM, Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@gmail.com> >
>>> wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> Hi all,
>>> >>
>>> >> My van has suddenly started leaking pretty seriously when it rains. >>
>>> The
>>> >> water is coming in from the two front corners of the poptop, and it >>
>>> runs
>>> >> down the bunched-up poptop fabric inside and then into the van.  This
>>> >> seems
>>> >> to have started all of a sudden - not a gradual increasing link.  The
>>> >> seals
>>> >> don't seem to be bad - I have other leaky seals, but the ones at the
>>> front
>>> >> of the poptop look okay to me.
>>> >>
>>> >> I don't know exactly when it started, but it could have been when I >>
>>> put
>>> >> the
>>> >> struts on to assist on lifting the top with the kayak up there.  Has
>>> >> anyone
>>> >> else had this happen when they installed struts?  As if there is
>>> constant
>>> >> pressure lifting the poptop, creating a space for water to come in >>
>>> when
>>> it
>>> >> rains.  It's not particularly related to driving in the rain - happens
>>> if
>>> >> she's parked through the whole storm.
>>> >>
>>> >> Any thoughts?
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Joy
>>> >> and Matilda, who would rather be dry
>>> >>
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>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > --
>>> > http://www.dougalcock.com
>>> >
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> http://www.dougalcock.com
>>
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>
>

--
http://www.dougalcock.com

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