hinge help

[brad]

So I was planning on buying plain stainless steel hinges for my new canopy, couldn't find them at my hardware store, so I started looking online. I am amazed and confused by all the crazy hinges people are using on reefcentral. Locking hinges, piano hinges, aluminum hinges, lift assist hinges, etc.

What makes sense for my build? I have a 48"x48"x30" tank, so I need access from the sides. I have 2 24" x 48" aluminum panels that are my DIY LED lights. I was going to put 4 standard hinges on the back of these, so I could open the left and right side independently. Each panel weighs 30 lbs. The front and sides of the canopy need to lift with the panel to give me access, so this is a good 40lbs each.

Are piano hinges a good choice if they are 90 degrees in the closed position? Or do they only work if they are 180 like on a piano?

Any reason to use stainless steel over aluminum or vice versa?

Does "locking hinge" mean I will be able to lock the canopy open? I need to be able to do this (but not necessarily with the hinge - I was planning on using a pole, like on a car hood).

For this weight, is there any reason to use any sort of "lift assist hinge"? I thought about using a gas spring or car trunk opener, but adding this to my build seems like a lot more work than lifting 40+ lbs every time I stick my hand in the tank.

 

[RobinsonFam1]

piano hinge would be fine.

aluminum over stainless if you can. unless you find a real high quality stainless it will rust.

you can get lid supports or even make your own to hold door open and bonk your head. id prolly plan on making your own since finding a lid support to fit your needs could be a real pain.

hth!

 

[sleepydoc]

BRS hinges may actually be better. They won't rust, and if they're not under water, the copper shouldn't be an issue

 

[sleepydoc]

...brass hinges. Although if BRS sold hinges, I'm sure they would be fine too.

 

[RobinsonFam1]

I'm putting brass lid supports on a side cabinet where my fuge is going. I'm expecting them to corrode then rust then fail within a year. Well see anyways. Brass nd saltwater don't mix well....at least in hardware related items like this. Its usually a coating over zinc metal.

 

[brad]

I bought an aluminum piano hinge. Not having played piano in 30 years, I am confused on the orientation. I have no idea how much it matters (assuming it isn't installed in a way the lid can't open).

Any idea how many holes I should drill? I am thinking of 12 holes for each 4' section.

 

[RobinsonFam1]

basically no wrong way as long as it opens.

ive never bought one without being pre-drilled....?!?!!?!?

they typically have a tiny screw about every 4". if youre drilling them yourself you could go to 6" i would think. if the door/lid is raather heavy then more screws to keep hinge from binding/twisting etc....

 

[sleepydoc]

Aluminum should be good. If you look, you can find solid brass, not just brass plated, but you have to search a bit.

Never seen one that wasn't pre-drilled either. As to the orientation, piano hinges generally close completely one way and only to 90 degrees or so the other way. If it opens and closes as much as you need it to, it's good.