Pressurizing gas struts: everything you need to know

The proper pressurizing of gas struts is particularly important for convenience but also safety. Practice caution when adjusting the pressure in gas struts.

How do gas struts work?

Before embarking on pressurizing struts, we talk about the basic principles of their operation. The basic parts of each gas strut are the cylinder and piston rod. Inside the gas strut we also find compressed nitrogen and oil.

In a certain way gas struts can be compared to a bicycle pump. The cylinder is affected by the compressed nitrogen under pressure. A piston rod is found in the cylinder, which retracts in the cylinder thanks to the nitrogen. Upon compressing the struts there accumulates energy that is released upon retracting.

Know the correct pressure of your gas struts

The optimum pressure in the cylinder depends on the use of the gas strut. A gas strut holding a car trunk needs more pressure than a strut holding a cabinet in your living room. The pressurization of struts is indicated in Newton, and is particularly important in view of the safety of people who come into contact with them.

Principles when pressurizing gas struts

• since gas struts are under high pressure, never attempt to reduce the pressure by cutting, or any other breach of the cylinder,
• under no circumstances expose the gas strut to a higher temperature than permissible; temperatures are presented in Celsius
• if you release too much nitrogen and the pressure in your gas strut is insufficient, send it back to the manufacturer for refilling

How to proceed during pressurization

Do not forget that if you release too much gas from a gas strut you must send it back to the manufacturer for refilling. If the pressure in your gas strut is very high and you decide to reduce it a little, follow these steps:

1. Put on safety glasses.
2. Remove the terminal at the end of the gas strut.
3. Find the valve after removing the cover.
4. Screw the bleed screw in this valve. The gas strut must have the piston downwards.
5. Screw until you don’t feel a slight resistance. Be careful, because after around one and a half revolutions gas starts leaking from the strut.
6. The moment you hear a gas leak, immediately tighten the bleed screw in the opposite
7. Remove the bleed screw and replace the cover of the gas strut terminal.