How to adjust the force on a gas spring with an IGS T-Valve

The T-Valve (TV) is the new valve which is slowly replacing all designs based on the more fragile Schrader Release Valves (RV).

For a side-by-side comparison of both types of valves and to understand what type of valve you currently have, please check the Difference TV-RV page.

Please note at IGS we do not use the TV Valve key described on the page below. It is much easier to control the gas release if you use the instructions found on the Ball Valve (BV) page.


T-Valve instructions

Step 1 Upon receipt, fit the gas spring to the application, operate the springs and observe the movement. Care should be taken on this first compression. The supplied force in the gas springs might be so great that damage could occur to the part to which the gas springs are attached. For example, if the springs are attached to a sheet metal lid closing for the vertical to the horizontal, the force required to operate the springs could cause the lid to bend before the gas springs compress.
Step 2 Safely support the load and remove the gas springs. Unscrew the end fitting from the body end (the black tube). There may be a threaded stud located in the body, that will also need to be removed. The T-Valve can now be seen by looking down into the gas spring.
If this is a locking gas spring, please ensure it is fully extended before operating the valve
Please note that if you do have release valve key, you can also follow the same instructions as for the Ball Valve to reduce the force. Using a 3mm Allen Key or equivalent and a small hammer to tap on the valve is usually easier than with the TV Keys shown below.
There are 3 types of T-Valve Keys available, from left ot right: -Spare part number: KEY TV  20 M14 T-Valve release tool, used on gas springs with a 40mm tube (size 20). -Spare part nunber: KEY TV  10-14 M10 T-Valve release tool, used on gas springs with a 23mm (size 10) or 28mm tube (size 14). -Spare part number: KEY TV  6-8 M8 T-Valve release tool, used on gas springs with a 15mm (size 6) or 18mm tube (size 8)
Step 3 Hold the gas spring with the rod down and screw in the release valve key until you can feel that the key has touched the valve.
Step 4 In one flowing movement turn clockwise a quarter of a turn and immediately turn anti-clockwise a quarter of a turn. The sound of escaping gas should be heard (it is best to carry out this procedure in a quiet environment).
The gas spring has a very small volume of Nitrogen at high pressure. On the smaller size 6 and 8 gas springs, a release of nitrogen lasting more than one second could reduce the spring's force by more than 90 newtons (20 pounds).

Step 5 Refit the gas springs to the application. If the force is still too great, repeat the above procedure until satisfied. If two gas springs are attached remove approximately the same amount of gas from each spring. If further quantities of springs will be required, return the correctly forced springs to Industrial Gas Springs to have the force measured and balanced (if appropriate). If as it occasionally happens, you let out too much gas, return the springs to Industrial Gas Springs who will regas them. In any case, please always enclose your name, address, telephone and instructions with any gas spring you send to IGS.