door opening questions

[gary_tholl]

Hello all,

I'm curious about the door opening procedure on a Cerbera. When you press the button, does the door pop open from the seal, or is it pushed out by some other means?

What happens if the battery is dead? I believe there is a manual release, does it require special tools to use? How do you stop just anyone from popping your doors open? (Don't mention where the release is, I don't need to know that)

I'm rebuilding a Lotus Europa, and have knocked about the idea of installing a solenoid system similar to TVRs instead of regular door handles. I just need to clear up a few questions I have about them.

Thanks for any info,
Gary

[ocean1]

gary_tholl said:

Hello all, I'm curious about the door opening procedure on a Cerbera. When you press the button, does the door pop open from the seal, or is it pushed out by some other means? What happens if the battery is dead? I believe there is a manual release, does it require special tools to use? How do you stop just anyone from popping your doors open? (Don't mention where the release is, I don't need to know that) I'm rebuilding a Lotus Europa, and have knocked about the idea of installing a solenoid system similar to TVRs instead of regular door handles. I just need to clear up a few questions I have about them. Thanks for any info, Gary

When you press the button the window opens a couple of inches and the door springs open. There is a manual release, but I will say no more about this. Flying breadvan eh?, just get a Cerbera and have done with it.

Ocean1

[Julian64]

Nope it is a good question. I'm currently trying to find this out myself. On my car all you do is touch the door button and let go and the door opens about twp feet. If you do the same with the passenger door the window comes down and the door opens about half and inch and if you don't pull quickly the door remains half an inch and unopenable. I assume its the last movement of the door catch which throws the door open, but still haven't ruled out it simply being the thickness of the door rubber yet.

[gary_tholl]

Thanks guys,

That is the kind of info I'm after, I wasn't sure if the seal pressure would be enough to push the door open far enough that you could grab it.

Hey Ocean, if you would be so kind as to ship a Cerbera over to Canada, I'd be willing to drive it!

Actually I have been throwing the thought around of finding a wrecked one and bringing it over as a 'kit car'. I've got the fibreglass repair experience, so would just have to figure out how to register it. Likely a rather large task, unfortunately.

Oh, and this isn't your average everyday flying breadvan. I've got a Formula Atlantic spec Cosworth BDD to put in it. ~220 hp pushing ~1500lbs around. Should be good fun!

Later,
Gary

[mike_e]

Julian64 said:

Nope it is a good question. I'm currently trying to find this out myself. On my car all you do is touch the door button and let go and the door opens about twp feet. If you do the same with the passenger door the window comes down and the door opens about half and inch and if you don't pull quickly the door remains half an inch and unopenable. I assume its the last movement of the door catch which throws the door open, but still haven't ruled out it simply being the thickness of the door rubber yet.

Mine was the same although the passenger door did pop open, just. Like most door latches, it has two locking postions for safety reasons. I suspect your passenger door is a little stiff and isn't springing open fast enough to clear both locking positions. Check to make sure the door seal isn't catching and then lubricate the hinges and exercise the door to loosen it up a bit. The lock doesn't throw the doop open it just releases it.

Mike

[octane junkie]

mike_e said:

Julian64 said: Nope it is a good question. I'm currently trying to find this out myself. On my car all you do is touch the door button and let go and the door opens about twp feet. If you do the same with the passenger door the window comes down and the door opens about half and inch and if you don't pull quickly the door remains half an inch and unopenable. I assume its the last movement of the door catch which throws the door open, but still haven't ruled out it simply being the thickness of the door rubber yet. Mine was the same although the passenger door did pop open, just. Like most door latches, it has two locking postions for safety reasons. I suspect your passenger door is a little stiff and isn't springing open fast enough to clear both locking positions. Check to make sure the door seal isn't catching and then lubricate the hinges and exercise the door to loosen it up a bit. The lock doesn't throw the doop open it just releases it. Mike

My passenger door suffers from exactly the same problem every now and then - it just doesn't get enough exercise (hmmm, that makes me sound like a sad git that doesn't have any friends to take out as passengers.....)

[Julian64]

So the door opens on just the springiness of the rubber seal once the catch releases it?

[olly]

Julian64 said:

So the door opens on just the springiness of the rubber seal once the catch releases it?

Correct ! You can make it more springy by moving the catch slightly further in towards the cabin, thereby squashing the seal more when the door is closed, so it pops further when it's released....

[bbt11]

Mines exactly the same and the pasenger door does not
open as far as the drivers. Its not a case of NO FRIENDS its more the case that no one brave enough to get in it. .

[octane junkie]

I hadn't thought of that - perhaps it's the face I pull when I get out of the car.

Wife hates riding in it - quotes Clarkson when he said it feels like the grim reaper's sat behind her flexing his muscles.....

[bbt11]

My wifes the same. Her reason for not being my co-pilot is" Im not on a death wish" It must be the lead boots i put on with the full facial

[octane junkie]

or perhaps it's something about silver cerberas?