Access to bed lift actuators

Dave Siegel · March 20, 2011, 04:45:32 AM

Well thanks to a couple of great posts, earlier on, I ordered some heavy duty 12 volt actuators and I have installed them under our bed so that the bed now raises and lowers and provides a huge storage area that we were unable to get to before. But as I was sitting there marveling at my handy work a thought came to mind.

How do I get into that storage area, if for any reason, the actuators fault in the down position? These things are so strong that there is no way you can pull them up.

Has anyone ever run across this problem?

Dave

Joe Camper · March 20, 2011, 05:05:52 AM

Where you attatch the ram on the bottom side of the platform for the mattress do it into a "pocket" that is unattatched so if it does fail you can lift it and the end of the ram will just drop out of it.

I am doing the same project.

Dave Siegel · March 20, 2011, 05:43:43 AM

Hey Joe you sound like you have a plan, but I don't understand what you mean. Duh??? Could you draw a picture, or even more details?

Thanks,

Dave

JackConrad · March 20, 2011, 05:59:15 AM

Dave,
I think Joe means to make a U shaped "pocket" be attaching 3 pieces of 2X2 to the bottom of the bed so that they form a U with the opening toward the head of the bed. The actuators should lean slightly towards the foot of the bed when closed. To put them in place, you would have to open the bed manually, extend the actuators, and set them in place in the U shaped openings. Jack

Dave Siegel · March 20, 2011, 06:36:40 AM

I screwed the base of the actuators to the floor inside the platform, then I had to bolt the top of the actuator to the bed platform (thru the platform and a back up of solid pine. The actuators are pinned to the holding brackets. I can't seem to understand how you would be able to lift the bed manually when the actuators are fully installed.

Dave

P.S. I guess I am having a senior moment?

WEC4104 · March 20, 2011, 07:28:18 AM

I considered bed actuators, but haven't gotten that far down my "to do" wishlist. In my coach, the bed mattress sits on heavy plywood, hinged near the head of the bed. I was planning to attached the top of the actuators to the underside of the plywood. I was going to use a fastener that goes completely through the plywood. It would be a type that could be unfastened from the top, without needing to get a wrench on the underside at the same time. In case of a failure, the bolt could be undone from the top, releasing the actuator attaching point inside. The fastener might stick up a little, but with the mattress covering it, it shouldn't be a factor.

Fred Mc · March 20, 2011, 08:54:15 AM

"I screwed the base of the actuators to the floor inside the platform"
Unscrew the actuator from the floor so it is loose. Then make a "socket" for the actuator to sit in.This will "locate" it so it stays in position when weight is applied to it(which will be all the time EXCEPT when you find it necessary to manually lift it up) The actuator will still work as it is supposed to but you will be able to manually lift the bed up. Because the bottom of the actuator isn't fastened to anything it will "dangle" there WHEN YOU MANUALLY LIFT IT.

Regards

Fred

luvrbus · March 20, 2011, 10:13:37 AM

Yep Fred has it they make a ball socket for the bottom of the actuators keeps it place and the bed can be lifted,then I have saw some that has a bracket on the floor with a bolt and the actuator has a slot that fits there hold it it place

good luck

Dave Siegel · March 20, 2011, 03:15:23 PM

I think I am beginning to understand what you guys are talking about check out this sketch and see if this is what you are trying to tell me.

Dave