Hey yall, I've been working on this for 2 weeks now and it's nearly finished. It works extremely well and isn't very hard or expensive to install!
Actuators. $34 x 4
DPDT switch. $10
Misc hardware. $20
Steel for rear supports $17
Total $184
Depending on your needs the actuators used in this build come in sizes ranging from 2-12in. All of these are available on amazon. They are ip54 rated so as long as they don't go swimming or left out in a monsoon they should be fine. At $30 a piece they are inexpensive to replace.
I used 6in and was able to drop my roof height from 87.5in down to 82 inches. Standard garage door height is 84.
The actuators are 12v and reverse with polarity. Ive wired them up to a DPDT rocker switch and mounted it in a small diamond plate box I bent up. They will lift 225lbs each so lifting the roof is effortless. Mounting is a little less than desirable. I'm working on getting some aluminum bungs machined that will slip into the square tubing and better interface with the actuators. This is a challenge as the cost per bung is around 40 bucks and I need 8. I'll keep hunting for a cheaper machine shop.
Pictures to follow.
The fronts were easy to install. I'm in a mock up stage using some old roof struts that were bent up and semi straightened back out. In doing so it proves the actuators will work through some misalignment.
The rear was mocked up with pvc and some 3d printed parts.
I've built the actual steel upper support today just waiting for the paint to dry. Tomorrow I'll be cutting the rear lower sections and drilling the mounting holes.
A video link-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwZlCV58ma4
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