Engine hatch actuator

[Socalx09]

May be a stupid question. When determining the size of the actuator to order- does the actuator need to go all the way down/ fully closed? Trying to determine the size of which one to order. Currently the underside of the cover will sit on the engine compartment dividers about 23 inches from the floor. Engine hatch was recently converted to one solid piece and decided to just go with an electric actuator. The middle of the hatch will have more room since it’s cut in for the engine, but I didn’t measure that yet. Have a good amount of room in front of the engine as well for mounting. Also, any recommendations on which brand to go with? Been looking at CP performancee, Eddie marine and lenco.
Thanks

 

[Shlbyntro]

Lenco is absolutely your best bang for the buck. It's not a pretty chrome plated or polished one but they still look decent and most importantly get the job done. they also draw little enough current to not need to run relays even though it is still recommended. The fully retracted dimension is most important when selecting the correct actuator. If you measured 23" from floor to hatch I would go with the 24" actuator and mount it somewhat near the rear of the engine compartment to where it is leaning forward in the retracted position to eat up the extra inch of length

 

[LOBOATOMY]

I Thompson makes most of the actuators. They can be found on eBay for a decent price. That is where I got my Thompson. The people at customer support there are also very helpful.

 

[Racey]

May be a stupid question. When determining the size of the actuator to order- does the actuator need to go all the way down/ fully closed? Trying to determine the size of which one to order. Currently the underside of the cover will sit on the engine compartment dividers about 23 inches from the floor. Engine hatch was recently converted to one solid piece and decided to just go with an electric actuator. The middle of the hatch will have more room since it’s cut in for the engine, but I didn’t measure that yet. Have a good amount of room in front of the engine as well for mounting. Also, any recommendations on which brand to go with? Been looking at CF performancee, Eddie marine and lenco.
Thanks

Here's the deal, if you put an actuator in that can close further than the hatch will allow, and it has enough strength, it will break your hatch if someone holds on the button for too long. Same goes for opening in the other direction.

You can put a pinch collar (saftey stop) on the actuator if you have to, but are best off mounting it and dimensioning the offset bracket on the hatch itself so that it applies just slight pressure when closed.

 

[Socalx09]

Thanks for the explanation guys, now I get how they work. Always helpful to come on here for answers!

Definitely leaning towards lenco. Couldn’t exactly find the Thompson models. Maybe I’m not searching correctly. Feeling kind of guilty since Cp performance was the only one to respond to my email and offered more help. Might just order from lenco and buy something else from cp performance.

 

[RiverDave]

Thanks for the explanation guys, now I get how they work. Always helpful to come on here for answers!

Definitely leaning towards lenco. Couldn’t exactly find the Thompson models. Maybe I’m not searching correctly. Feeling kind of guilty since CF performance was the only one to respond to my email and offered more help. Might just order from lenco and buy something else from cf performance.

Should feel more guilty about calling them CF performance instead of CP Performance.. .

RD

 

[Socalx09]

Should feel more guilty about calling them CF performance instead of CP Performance.. .

RD

Oh shit! My bad! Edited! Haha

 

[185EZ]

I'm no hatch expert. Just giving some things to consider.
If you put your lift up towards the front on the hatch you're only going to get 23" of lift
The further back you mount it the more lift.
Mine is mounted on the transom and is only 13" of travel and will lift the hatch almost vertical.
I don't know the weight it's designed for but that's something else to consider
I also have a limit switch when the hatch comes down the power is shut off so you aren't forcing anything
Other thing is I have a hitch pin on the outside of the lift
I can get to it if I have a battery or lift failure. Not sure where you're batteries are located.