I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from
perspex. That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and
might get damaged. The perspex cover is 400 on the hinge side by 125mm.
Below the cover the control panel is only 35mm down. So there isn't much
room for any sort of sliding arm that would limit how far the lid can
open. I was wondering about some sort of miniature chain. Does anyone
have any experience of this problem, or know where I could buy a chain
with fittings, or can think of any other solution?

Bill

On 05/01/2021 03:56, williamwright wrote:
I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from
perspex. That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and
might get damaged. The perspex cover is 400 on the hinge side by 125mm.
Below the cover the control panel is only 35mm down. So there isn't much
room for any sort of sliding arm that would limit how far the lid can
open. I was wondering about some sort of miniature chain. Does anyone
have any experience of this problem, or know where I could buy a chain
with fittings, or can think of any other solution?

Bill
A search for "small cupboard stay" (perhaps mounted externally) or
"sprung hinge" (use them to bias the cover open and have a latch to hold
it down).
Alternatively, arrange for the cover to slide sideways, or pivot it in
one corner so that it swings out of the way and is held in place by a
latch of some sort.

On 05/01/2021 03:56, williamwright wrote:
I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from
perspex. That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and
might get damaged. The perspex cover is 400 on the hinge side by 125mm.
Below the cover the control panel is only 35mm down. So there isn't much
room for any sort of sliding arm that would limit how far the lid can
open. I was wondering about some sort of miniature chain. Does anyone
have any experience of this problem, or know where I could buy a chain
with fittings, or can think of any other solution?

Bill
Replace the switches with ones with an appropriate IP rating and
dispense with the cover.

On Tue, 5 Jan 2021 03:56:37 +0000, williamwright
wrote:

I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from
perspex. That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and
might get damaged. The perspex cover is 400 on the hinge side by 125mm.
Below the cover the control panel is only 35mm down. So there isn't much
room for any sort of sliding arm that would limit how far the lid can
open. I was wondering about some sort of miniature chain. Does anyone
have any experience of this problem, or know where I could buy a chain
with fittings, or can think of any other solution?

Bill
How about a flat metal strut, one end fixed to the side of the control
panel by a screw/bolt so that it swings upwards, had a bent section at
the far end that holds the lid up.
Maybe the bent section can be forked so that it fits either side of
the plastic lid. Maybe the strut can be positioned so that when not in
use it just tucks alongside the panel.
All fairly easy to diy, otherwise buy a folding lid stay and adapt it.

On Tue, 05 Jan 2021 03:56:37 +0000, williamwright wrote:

I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from
perspex. That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and
might get damaged. The perspex cover is 400 on the hinge side by 125mm.
Below the cover the control panel is only 35mm down. So there isn't much
room for any sort of sliding arm that would limit how far the lid can
open. I was wondering about some sort of miniature chain. Does anyone
have any experience of this problem, or know where I could buy a chain
with fittings, or can think of any other solution?

Bill


I would use a helium balloon and a magnet. Ensuring the upper force was
lower than the latched magnet.

On 05/01/2021 03:56, williamwright wrote:
I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from
perspex. That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and
might get damaged. The perspex cover is 400 on the hinge side by 125mm.
Below the cover the control panel is only 35mm down. So there isn't much
room for any sort of sliding arm that would limit how far the lid can
open. I was wondering about some sort of miniature chain. Does anyone
have any experience of this problem, or know where I could buy a chain
with fittings, or can think of any other solution?

Is the lid when open near a wall to which you could fit a catch etc?


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 05/01/2021 03:56, williamwright wrote:
I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from
perspex. That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and
might get damaged. The perspex cover is 400 on the hinge side by 125mm.
Below the cover the control panel is only 35mm down. So there isn't much
room for any sort of sliding arm that would limit how far the lid can
open. I was wondering about some sort of miniature chain. Does anyone
have any experience of this problem, or know where I could buy a chain
with fittings, or can think of any other solution?



A picture might help as I at least can't fathom the options for what
might be attached where.




--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

In article ,
williamwright wrote:
I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from
perspex. That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and
might get damaged. The perspex cover is 400 on the hinge side by 125mm.
Below the cover the control panel is only 35mm down. So there isn't much
room for any sort of sliding arm that would limit how far the lid can
open. I was wondering about some sort of miniature chain. Does anyone
have any experience of this problem, or know where I could buy a chain
with fittings, or can think of any other solution?

Would a sink plug chain do it? They can be cut to length and come with
fittings. You may need to buy two to get the fittings you want both ends.

--
*For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Tue, 5 Jan 2021 03:56:37 +0000, williamwright wrote:

I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from
perspex. That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and
might get damaged.

I'm struggling to understand what a chain could be attached to stop
the lid dropping shut. Don't you need some form of strut? Possibly an
"over centre" one. Two bits, pivoted center and each end with a stop
that only lets the centre pivot go little past straight in one
direction.

--
Cheers
Dave.

In message l.net,
Dave Liquorice writes
On Tue, 5 Jan 2021 03:56:37 +0000, williamwright wrote:

I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from
perspex. That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and
might get damaged.

I'm struggling to understand what a chain could be attached to stop
the lid dropping shut. Don't you need some form of strut? Possibly an
"over centre" one. Two bits, pivoted center and each end with a stop
that only lets the centre pivot go little past straight in one
direction.

Presumably the lid opens beyond 90deg.

Picture hanging chain as an alternative to bath/basin chain.


--
Tim Lamb

williamwright was thinking very hard :
I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it rains
the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from perspex. That's
fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and might get damaged. The
perspex cover is 400 on the hinge side by 125mm. Below the cover the control
panel is only 35mm down. So there isn't much room for any sort of sliding arm
that would limit how far the lid can open. I was wondering about some sort of
miniature chain. Does anyone have any experience of this problem, or know
where I could buy a chain with fittings, or can think of any other solution?

If there is something above and at the rear of the panel, fix a bit of
steel bar it lid or support, with a magnet to match it on the other
part. You can buy good strong rare earth magnets, or pinch one from a
very old, scrap 5.25 HDD. I use this method to retain my hut door wide
open against the breeze, when taking stuff in and out.

In article l.net,
Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Tue, 5 Jan 2021 03:56:37 +0000, williamwright wrote:

I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from
perspex. That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and
might get damaged.

I'm struggling to understand what a chain could be attached to stop
the lid dropping shut. Don't you need some form of strut? Possibly an
"over centre" one. Two bits, pivoted center and each end with a stop
that only lets the centre pivot go little past straight in one
direction.

What's really needed is a miniature strut. As you'd find on your tailgate.

--
*It IS as bad as you think, and they ARE out to get you.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 05/01/2021 03:56, williamwright wrote:
I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from
perspex. That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and
might get damaged. The perspex cover is 400 on the hinge side by 125mm.
Below the cover the control panel is only 35mm down. So there isn't much
room for any sort of sliding arm that would limit how far the lid can
open. I was wondering about some sort of miniature chain. Does anyone
have any experience of this problem, or know where I could buy a chain
with fittings, or can think of any other solution?

Bill
basin plug chain?

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

Well plastic chains used to be used as restraints on lids. Its a pity Sony
did not fit one on those little hinged doors on their VCRS.
Brian

--

This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"williamwright" wrote in message
...
I have this thing; it has a control panel on the top surface, so if it
rains the switches etc will get wet. I've made a hinged cover from perspex.
That's fine, except that when it's open it can fall back and might get
damaged. The perspex cover is 400 on the hinge side by 125mm. Below the
cover the control panel is only 35mm down. So there isn't much room for any
sort of sliding arm that would limit how far the lid can open. I was
wondering about some sort of miniature chain. Does anyone have any
experience of this problem, or know where I could buy a chain with
fittings, or can think of any other solution?

Bill

On Tue, 5 Jan 2021 13:53:11 +0000, Tim Lamb wrote:

I'm struggling to understand what a chain could be attached to
stop
the lid dropping shut. Don't you need some form of strut? Possibly
an
"over centre" one. Two bits, pivoted center and each end with a
stop
that only lets the centre pivot go little past straight in one
direction.

Presumably the lid opens beyond 90deg.

Ah, possibly but then the lids is not acting as an operational
(partial) rain cover.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On Tue, 05 Jan 2021 15:58:36 +0000 (GMT), Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

What's really needed is a miniature strut. As you'd find on your
tailgate.

Can you get gas struts that don't want to be extended all the time or
weak enough to just counter balance the few grammes of a perspex lid?

--
Cheers
Dave.