rod kicker gas spring replacement

[blue-max]

I need to  replace the gas spring in the rodkicker. I can't get to  the boat to  see whats been fitted and in any case I want to increase the force. Selden charge an arm and a leg to  provide  even though they buy in this item. The selden part no  would be 308-073-05 with a force of 5000N (suitable for 46 to 50 foot yacht) Anyone succeeded in replacing this with a non selden sourced supplier. 

[felixshmak]

Mine is much less in strength and bought the adjustable one from SGS Engineering (https://www.sgs-engineering.com/). I saw some poster mentioned car parts are cheaper but never tried it before.

Good sailing
Felix

[blue bear]

I picked the exact replacement for 2.5kN from Mcmaster for less than 1/4 price from selden.
https://www.mcmaster.com/9416K52/

[Jake]

SGS has temporarily suspended international shipping.  I went with the McMaster-Carr item, which sounds suspiciously like the SGS gas spring.  The dimensions are the same and it's made in the UK!

Either way, it will be nice to have the vang once again doing its job.

Jake

[blue-max]

tried McMaster- Carr. They are not exporting from the US. But from another source got some details: Make Aarton G20-300-5000N-02. However that is not enough for SGS (they want  measurement  of the body ) Will try Metrol. 

[Jake]

I have my old one laying on the bench.  It's an Aratron G28-300-2500N-02.  It has a 300mm stroke and 2500 Newtons forces.  The one I ordered from McMaster-Carr is 500 lbs. of force, which is pretty much the equivalent.  If you move up to 5,000 Newtons, you may not be able to compress it very easily.  I think that would be way too much force.  I haven't seen any listed in-between 2,500 and 5,000, but that may be out there (or adjustable).

Jake

[blue-max]

Managed to  pick up  a used one on a well known internet auction site for little money. You are correct about pressure needed to  compress it - its beyond me. Which is annoying as in uncompressed form I can't carry it in my suitcase.

[Truant]

Great post and hopefully helpful to me doe anyone know the total length and the size of the threads on the ends.?

thanks Ian

[Ailatan]

Hi Truant,
I've just changed mine this weekend and the only information I can give you is that the thread diameter use to be 10mm in all cases but the total length are different according with the size of the boat. As yours is much bigger than mine I share this information for all the owners with the same type of gas spring.
I replaced the original Aratron G28-300-2500N-02 with a Sodemann GF-14-300-2500-T but as the total length is shorter you need to buy the extension of 20mm reference: FF1020.
I found it in this web but if you access through a computer you will find a link for every country https://www.industrial-springs.com/

If you are in the UE the shipping will be really fast and no hustle with customs
I attach some pictures, have a look at the extension is a piece of stainless steel at the bottom of the last picture

[Truant]

Thank you for reply which is very usefull and agree the length might be different and need to find this out so I might have check on my next trip .

Have a good weekend Ian

[Truant]

Hello Great Forum and helped me when Ihad to replace the rod kicker on my Bavaria 49. I found a replacement in the UK much cheaper than the Seldon quotes , but shipping killed the idea so bit the bullet and bought mine through SVB24 Germany as a kit with the new gas cylinder, tube and bottom bracket for 168 Euros .
I have attached the pictures with a tape measure so someone may be able to use these to get a replacement from an alternative source.