Need help installing power vent opener
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Davis, Ca
Need help installing power vent opener
I got the electric cowl vent opener from Rocky Hinge ($80) but there are no instructions except to bolt the unit to the firewall. I can’t see where or how the motor or ram rod would possibly fit. It comes wired to a switch with one open wire on the motor. Is this connector for a hot wire directly from the ignition or does the wire need to go through some kind of reducer first?
Has any one mounted this unit who could give me some help?
Has any one mounted this unit who could give me some help?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 5
From: Meade, KS
I've got no clue. BUT, I can say that I want to do the very same thing with my cowl vent (on my 50), and if you'll post some pics of the unit and tell me what rig you're trying to put it in, I'll do what I can to help figure it out!
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 652
From: Brentwood, TN
From the looks of the photo on the Rocky Hinge website, the actuator comes with a wiring harness and connector. The writeup says that there is a microswitch in the unit that is adjustable to limit how far the actuator rod travels. Electrically you must have a ground (usually provided through the mounting bracket), power to turn the motor in one direction, and power to turn the motor in the opposite direction. How these wires get connected depends a lot on the switch that you are using...I would expect that you would have a two position rocker switch with momentary contacts...push and hold to raise the vent, push and hold the other way to lower the vent. It's pretty straightforward (but then again I'm an electrical engineer) but I am a little surprised that this kit doesn't have more in the way of instructions and a schematic.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, ME
I bought an opener also, not from Rocky Hinge, but there were no instructions with it either. It was for cowl vent, glove box, trunk lid, anything so I guess they expect you to figure it out yourself rather than write up instructions to cover any possible application. I know I had to invest in some longer rods and hardware pieces from a hardware store as the pieces in it weren't long enough. It took a few days of head scratching but eventually it came together. I was able to mount the motor on a small brace between the cowl and firewall on my '51.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
My panel had a motor already installed but it was poorly done so the arm hit the back side of the dash before it closed fully. I remounted the motor and made a new actuator arm for it. now it works fine. Mine doesn't have any limit switches, but they are not really needed, you know it has reached full open/closed when the motor changes sound.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,734
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From: Kansas City area
I didn't use the Rocky Hinge brand but the one I used was from Ball's and I'm sure it was similar. I mounted mine on the diagonal brace that runs from the bottom of the dash up towards the cowl vent opening. It took some trial and error to get it working properly and I used the momentary rocker switch discussed previously. I would call Rocky to see if they have a preferred location for mounting. I have purchased hinges from them and they have always been helpful.
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Davis, Ca
Rocky Hinge power vent
I call Rocky Hinge for installation help. A technician called back within the hour and turned out to be Rocky himself. He had not personally on a ’56 but did offer to make me a longer/shorter shaft if that would help. (The 1x3” bracket has four wholes and would seem to fit nicely where the Wiper motor lives.) But then I couldn’t get the motor to work so I could see how the cam worked in order to measure. I tried grounding it in different ways and so forth.
I also ask to look at the more expensive unit at Vintage Ford on Thursday but they were out of stock. Their units are custom made for the F100 and should have given some installation ideas. I’ll try to phone Monday and asked Rocky and see if he has other ideas.
I also ask to look at the more expensive unit at Vintage Ford on Thursday but they were out of stock. Their units are custom made for the F100 and should have given some installation ideas. I’ll try to phone Monday and asked Rocky and see if he has other ideas.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
I'll shoot some pix of mine today. The motor should ground thru the housing/mounting bolts, just clip a ground wire to any metal part of the unit. It's likely there are two wires to the motor, a forwards and reverse direction when power is applied to one or the other.
Last edited by AXracer; Jan 27, 2007 at 11:04 AM.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,644
Likes: 55
From: Moro Bay, AR
Originally Posted by AXracer
The motor should ground thru the housing/mounting bolts, just clip a ground wire to any metal part of the unit. It's likely there are two wires to the motor, a forwards and reverse direction when power is applied to one or the other.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
I used the Sac Vintage Ford model on my 54. I don't know if this helps, but I do recall that I was trying to install it on the wrong side at first. The wiper motor was in the way. Once it dawned on my to flip it to the other side, it fit fine. 
Jag
Jag
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30s, 55, cowl, electric, ford, install, installation, instructions, intalling, opener, power, rockyhingecom, schematic, vent, ventopener
