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Topic: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution (Read 1447 times) previous topic - next topic

Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

For starters this is not my idea.  I originally got the idea from a friend of mine Ray.  I just put it together, took the pictures, modified the pictures and posted to share with everyone.  The tubing was 3/4" pvc I had laying around.  If the color bothers you can paint the tubing or use a different color.  I got to the point where I was tired of replacing actuators and tired of cabinet doors slamming down, so I decided to put this into action.  I think I'm going to do the same with the bed actuators instead of using the 2x4 lumber I am currently using.  Going to try to upload the pictures in order.  Enjoy!
John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #1 –
Clever idea. Always a way to save a buck or a few minutes. Thanks ^.^d
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #2 –
Quote
I got to the point where I was tired of replacing actuators
I wonder if these actuators are dropping in quality. I bought some less expensive Chinese ones a few years ago and they failed almost immediately. The others I've purchased were OK.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #3 –
That's not OEM John.. :D
The selected media item is not currently available.
Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #4 –
Mark,
No it's not, but it works flawlessly.
John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #5 –
That is some great work, there John! I am going to follow suit on all of mine. I had been using "chip clips" on a couple of strategic ones, but this is a much better idea.
Thanks, and happy fourth!

Len
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #6 –
Without the cam over effect with pressure do they rattle going down the road?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #7 –
Craneman,
No rattle.  The pvc does not make any noise. It is around the cylinder body when the door is closed.  Works great!
John M
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #9 –
I was referring to the doors themselves, the gas spring over cams and holds the door closed.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #10 –

Craneman,
I can see that possibly happening when a door has one actuator.  The door in the picture has one actuator and it does not rattle.  The actuator doesn't even hold the door up. The pvc works great to hold the door open without slamming.  If any of the doors begin to rattle I will install some type of catch latch to hold the doors closed.  I was thinking of installing catch latches on all of my cabinet doors anyways to help keep them closed while traveling. 
John M

Lot of 10 Grabber Catch Latch 5lb Factory Replacement Southco C3-805 for RV...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #11 –
At $55.00 a latch you can buy 5 air springs.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #12 –
That was a packet of 10 5lb latches.  When I bought the actuators 18 months ago at Foretravel they were about $12 each.  Many of those have since then failed.  Even if there were no issues with the actuators I would still like to latch all of the cabinet doors with some type of latch. This is the type Foretravel used in our coaches.

John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #13 –
Didn't pay attention to the X10 Those would solve the staying closed issue. I replaced all of the bad ones in Nov. 2015 and a few that have failed since but no repeat failures yet. I did reverse them to get the seal on the bottom to get lubed and not dry out. Maybe they fail from more use than we have.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #14 –
Bought these, I just carry extra's. No issues, well yet. I like your fix.

12 ea Columbia Struts Gas spring, 7.5" ext 2 in. Stroke 20 Lbs Prop Door...
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Cabinet Door Actuator Solution

Reply #15 –
Good idea for cabinets, but seems like an unsafe idea for bed struts.  Too easy for the heavy bed to pop the PVC out of place and have the bed crash down.

Stick with the wood stick.  Or use our PVC pipe with Tee's on both ends, which we store above the 120v wiring under the bed.