Power pedestal poles

This topic has 8 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 6 months ago by Bass Cat Boats.

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May 21, 2009 at 2:03 am #297678

Tony Steinfeld
Participant

Has anyone had their power pedestal poles lose their gas charge? I had the Puma out today and noticed the seat wouldnt rise when the lever was lifted. There was no pressure behind the lever and you could lift the seat and let it fall on its own. Can they be fixed or is it a throw away?If you cant convince them, confuse them.

May 21, 2009 at 2:18 am #297679

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

I had one of my poles loose pressure. I dont use it to much anymore, I dont know if there is a way to fix it or not. I would guess you would have to get a new one, but not 100% sure…If there is a way to fix I would like to know as well…

May 21, 2009 at 4:04 am #297680

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

The power poles have been a constant issue, though they are much better than the old Balcar models in the mid 70s that started the power pedestal trend. Store the pedestal in the closed position all the way in. The shafts tend to rust and you should put a lubricant on the shaft frequently to prevent rusting. Those rusting shafts knock out the cylinder seals and they will leak out the charge. We have very little trouble with those we are familiar with, and we try to keep our old ones from a couple of boats. They still work fine. BCB

May 21, 2009 at 4:49 am #297681

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

I have never been satisfied with the Swivl-Eze brand power poles! After losing the gas charge on my third or fourth one after so many years I finally just put a radiator clamp around the pole shaft to hold it in an upright position everytime I fish. Its a pain to have to loosen-tighten the clamp to raise/lower the pole before and after every fishing trip, but I refuse to donate another $100 for another soon-to-break power pole!

May 21, 2009 at 12:57 pm #297682

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

The charged cylinders are all primarily the same assembly no matter which brand. In the mid 1970s Balcar had the base Mfg. wrapped up in Germany and charged a premium for those cylinders. Around 1978 or 79 the agreement ran out and Garnett Carnahan of Springfield Marine (MO) got the opportunity to purchase the cylinders and it boosted Springfields offerings and their production. Balcar charged more in the 1970s than pedestals cost today. Soon after Springfield and others had the cylinders, Balcar ceased to exist.

May 21, 2009 at 8:53 pm #297683

panteraIV
Participant

I have had the same issue, however, I contacted Swivel Eze and they took care of me real well. My cylinder did not actually break, but the bearings and center connector it attaches to did. I had cut the pole in two, attempting to fix it. The partially agreed with me that they need a drain hole near the bottom to let the water out and need to be lubricated as BCB indicated. Ive drilled small holes in the bottom of both my units and lubricate them frequently. So far, that has worked.

May 21, 2009 at 9:08 pm #297684

Tony Steinfeld
Participant

Thanks for the info guys. Looks like Ill have to buy a new one as a replacement.If you cant convince them, confuse them.

December 9, 2011 at 12:25 pm #297685

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

I have BCB Pro Butt Seat and SWIVL-EZE P30012A pedestal on my 2005 Puma. After removing the rust, I am not able to lock the height but post and pedestal are clean. The gas cylinder is still charged and can be pushed in (with resistance) but the fully extended height is only height. If I recall I think the end of rod of the cylinder needs something attached to it to apply resistance to inner chamber of pedestal. The handle on seat/cylinder doesnt seem to do anything (which I think is only to let air out of other side of gas cylinder.)Is there a simple fix or part to reattach to end of cylinder to avoid big bucks for whole new propost and cylinder?Thank you in advance!

December 9, 2011 at 2:00 pm #297686

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

If you cant repair it once you remove the seat and look at the handle control, then likely it is a replacement item.
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