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In my 31 foot Excella I replaced the aft bedroom twin beds with a king size bed hinged on a metal frame. The two 120 lbs lift pistons, 20" extended, (Camping World, Suspa pistons) I installed do not come near the lift needed to allow the bed to be manually lifted open and remain open to gain access to the under-bed storage. (I have them mounted midway on the frames horizontally when the bed is down, with manually assist required to get them up to about 45 degrees.)
Anyone have any ideas on how to automate the lifting process? I've had to install a temporary block and tackle rope system to do the lifting (after my back gave out!)
Mark
Last edited by markparker22 : 05-25-2004 at 02:13 PM.
I used a 500 lb. linear acuator and made a lift for my bed but don't know if I will use it. I originally planned to use gas springs, after building this I think I might go back. It is heavy (not a problem because I have 3000 lb. to work with) and bulky (problem because space is at such a premium).
The springs come in much higher weights, I have seen them up to 500 lbs. That should give you a capacity that makes the bed a one handed operation with much less space and weight.
Hmmm I never ever ever never fail to be amazed.
I should have spent more time with the Erector set years ago.
Marketing and engineering make the world go round. But then the question is what makes the bed go up...and stay...?
Gonna go (beam up) and look up linear actuator.
Hope this thread grows, it is interesting.
John:
I did not even consider higher powered pistons/springs but was dealing with the biggest at Camping World. Will do a web search for stonger pistons. Your linear actuator I am sure looks complex because you found a way to get the rise needed. Most Jack actuators I considered only have a 12"-18" rise but could not hook them up to effect a big enough rise.
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Mark
1984 31' Excella, mid bath, king size bed
1998 Chevrolet Suburban K2500, 7.4L/454 c.i., 4WD, Pullrite Hitch
AIR No. 2375
Mark, I built a Murphy bed last year from a kit. It has two gas cylinders and I can put it down and back up with one hand. It cost a lot but really works good, cost about 250.00 for the kit. Marvin
On the motor driven screw actuator don't think in one axis. I envision 2 motors working in tandem.
Mount the motor with a long drive screw parallel to the floor. The threaded drive bolt( I cannot describe it correctly) slider needs to be mounted to two equal length pieces of metal that are stout enough to support the bed. The ends will be mounted one to the floor and one to the underside of the bed platform. The hinge point will be the driven bolt on the screw gear. As the motor turns one way the bed lifts as it goes the other it will lower. This will also allow for a smaller motor as the arms should be acting as a lever and reducing the actual load you are lifting(maybe)
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Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey." -- Fitzhugh Mullan
Wise men talk because they have someting to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
In politics, absurdity is not a handicap— Napoleon
Brett, I think I know what you are saying, sort of half a scissor jack mounted to the bed and floor. You can use one motor, reverse the voltage.
John
Right. I was thinking 2 smaller motors to balance the weight and allow for side mounting along the longer length. I have a picture in my head, I just cannot find the right input to display it on the screen
__________________
Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey." -- Fitzhugh Mullan
Wise men talk because they have someting to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
In politics, absurdity is not a handicap— Napoleon
Have found the Suspa-inc.com website with all sizes of gas pistons. My alternate plan was to go with additional 120 lb pistons in parallel because of the ease of buying them over the counter at Camping World. Will look at the Murphy bed kit concept also. Thank you.
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Mark
1984 31' Excella, mid bath, king size bed
1998 Chevrolet Suburban K2500, 7.4L/454 c.i., 4WD, Pullrite Hitch
AIR No. 2375
Perhaps you could use a small 12' electric winch mounted underneath the bed. Consider using something like a very sturdy shelf braket mounted on the bottom side of the bed frame as close to the pivot hinge as possible. Ideally mount the bracket as near as convenient to the center of the bed frame or maybe mount two - one at each side of the frame near the hinge point. With two you would have a more complicated hookup to the winch cable and might need some pullys is all.
I recently bought a 2000 lb electric winch that had 50' of cable at Shucks Auto Parts for $79.00. There were cheaper models but this particular one was what I needed. It came with a bi-direction control switch and runs just fine off of a 12 volt battery. Check out ATV winches for possible models.
I am going to try attaching a simple drawing here for you to better understand what I had in mind
A friend with a rather large MH has his King bed over the diesel engine. It was on two piston lifter to get access to the engine. Don't understand why this is a problem. Keep it simple so when you break it you can fix it.
__________________ If everyone is always correct then nothing will ever change.....
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I never ever ever never fail to be amazed.
Small 12' electric winch?
Linear Mode
