480 DB Owners Club

searay40dad said:
Question...anybody had problems with the cylinder that lifts to the door to the bridge? I've now replaced the plastic end that threads onto the cylinders piston twice and I don't see the 3rd one lasting long either. Just seems like there's too much pressure when then doors shut and piston is retracted putting ton of force on the plastic cap. Cylinder looks original with right stroke and everything. Thinking about making one of the ends out of aluminum.
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Yours may be a different make but mine are made by Ameritool. I think they may have other options for the end fittings that will wear better. http://www.ameritoolmfg.com/
 
Same POS that ripped my transom garage door on my head!
 
480 DB Owners Club Gas Spring replacements

searay40dad said:
Question...anybody had problems with the cylinder that lifts to the door to the bridge? I've now replaced the plastic end that threads onto the cylinders piston twice and I don't see the 3rd one lasting long either. Just seems like there's too much pressure when then doors shut and piston is retracted putting ton of force on the plastic cap. Cylinder looks original with right stroke and everything. Thinking about making one of the ends out of aluminum.
Click to expand...

Easiest and ceehpest is from McMaster-Carr. Bought new SS ends

http://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-spring-end-fittings/=c8ejez
 
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Speaking of those cylinders. The stairs going up to the bridge on my boat are supported by a cylinder, but you have to hold on to the stairs while you lower it. Otherwise it will come crashing down. Once up, it holds fine. I don't think it is a cylinder problem, it appears that the geometry of the cylinder placement is incorrect.

Can you guys push your stairs down into place without it slamming?
 
Greg said:
Speaking of those cylinders. The stairs going up to the bridge on my boat are supported by a cylinder, but you have to hold on to the stairs while you lower it. Otherwise it will come crashing down. Once up, it holds fine. I don't think it is a cylinder problem, it appears that the geometry of the cylinder placement is incorrect.

Can you guys push your stairs down into place without it slamming?
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Mine does that too... and it's chipped the gelcoat because of it. Why don't you go figure out a solution and post it back here. You need to start pulling some weight around here buddy.

As a side, I just spent over $1000 on various fiberglass repairs while the boat was out of the water... various cracks on the front bridge apron, cracks on around the stair handles, etc...
 
Vicious...those stairs are just vicious. First time I let it go thinking the gas cylinder would allow it to gently, quietly, ease down and close...WHAM...sounded like a shotgun blast. I put weatherstripping material down to help soften the impact. Why don't you guys design a little remotely operated actuator for it...like some of the cave boat front windshield vent deals? We could use it to keep the riff-raff off the bridge too.

Thanks for the links...we'll be ordering a ss cap or two soon.
 
Re: 480 DB Owners Club Gas Spring replacements

HUMPH said:
Do you know what size ball you ordered for your cylinder ends? I think mine are 10MM.
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Sorry Ken don't remember. All I know is i replaced them about 2 years ago and no more issues.

Have a great day

Richard
 
I'm putting in new window gaskets around the salon and polishing the glass and noticed I have a couple of corrosion spots on the white powder coated side salon window frames (towards the stern and at the bottom... probably where moisture collects). They are about the size of a dime. Any other 480 DB owners seen this? I'm afraid to find out the cost to pull those windows...
 
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I'll be washing down in a couple hours, will check. When I had it surveyed I specifically asked the guy to check all the frames, gaskets, sealant and he said all was fine. I have noticed when I rinse or it rains, there is a bead of water that trickles down on both sides near the farthest point aft. Even after things are dried off. So it does seem there's a collection point along the bottom edge aft.

I'm replacing anchor foot switch covers, finishing sound system upgrade, changing racers, finishing putting snaps on the inside of the bridge hardtop so I don't have to roll up anymore isin, installing snaps on a new light colored windshield cover, and finishing templates up for new carpet runners throughout. Nice, relaxing way to spend a day off. If anyone needs the templates, just drop me a line.
 
Hadn't noticed that, I'll double check. I went through all the gaskets, it seems my salon window gaskets are 'shrinking' towards the bottom at the aft end. they are pulling away from the corner. They don't leak though, at least not yet.

I know the white powder-coated frames around the doors in my cockpit need to be blasted and re-coated. Hopefully I'll get to that this year.

I also just had my out-limit switch on the glendining go last weekend, I have it jumped out temporarily.
 
Greg said:
I also just had my out-limit switch on the glendining go last weekend, I have it jumped out temporarily.
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I think when you "announced" your in-limit switch going out, mine went out a week later... Guess I'll just order this new part as well.
 
While I was cutting a larger hole for a new helm remote my lovely wife accidentally sucked up one of the rocker switch caps somehow with the vac. Cut the bag open, nothing, so it must be stuck in a hose line somewhere. Anybody know off top of your head what the style and brand are? Are they carlings?
 
The power cord has a powered deployment/retraction system... it has limit switches shutting the system off when the power cord is all the way in or all the way out. Those switches corrode and fail... at least in saltwater....
 
Re: 480 DB Owners Club Gas Spring replacements

O!Richard said:
Sorry Ken don't remember. All I know is i replaced them about 2 years ago and no more issues.

Have a great day

Richard
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I ordered a dozen SS ends from Lewis Marine (they carry the Ameritool Mfg parts). I figure I may need only 2 but have many friends that have the same POS plastic ends that would love to change them.
 
Hey Gents, talk to me a minute, am I going to like the Sea Ray Navigator System? New boat has it and I've never used it, I'm a raymarinie.... I understand the Sea Ray Navigator is a windows based system.....I totally expecting Gary to chime in on the subject...so hopefully I can get a lot of advice about this system...
 
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