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Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Sandyc on October 28, 2016, 09:23:34 pm

Title: StowAway screen door.
Post by: Sandyc on October 28, 2016, 09:23:34 pm
This screen door is really cool, but the Southco latch is broken, therefore we can't close it. The latch is cheaply made. Is their a better way of keeping the screen door closed? I've racked my pea brain and can't come up with a solution. Any ideas? Thanks
Sandy

P.S. Now the frig quit working. talked to Norcold. They said it is a heating element or program board problem. They told me to take it to a dealer, they won't sell me parts.
Title: Re: StowAway screen door.
Post by: Denny & Barb on October 28, 2016, 10:27:55 pm
Talk to Phoenix about the southco latch. Mine broke also, and they sent me a new one without cost.  2nd one appears to be better quality.  The refrig is something else. Probably needs to be serviced by dealer, as much more complicated, and who knows... One could purchase the wrong part, and still not have a working unit.
Title: Re: StowAway screen door.
Post by: keelhauler on October 29, 2016, 09:16:47 am
Quote
but the Southco latch is broken, therefore we can't close it.

Did it break or is it just in its closed position? I bump mine a lot and it pops closed. I just pry it back open.

It is much better quality than the CHEAP BRD.com latches that they use on the cupboards.
After replacing at least 10, I just ordered my own real Southco latches and none of them have broken.
Title: Re: StowAway screen door.
Post by: Sandyc on October 31, 2016, 11:09:44 pm
Talk to Phoenix about the southco latch. Mine broke also, and they sent me a new one without cost.  2nd one appears to be better quality.  The refrig is something else. Probably needs to be serviced by dealer, as much more complicated, and who knows... One could purchase the wrong part, and still not have a working unit.

I did talk to Phoenix about the screen latch. They said that it is a continuing problem and their the only one that carries that particular latch. I had to buy it (12.50 + freight), no way was see going to give me one to fix the problem. That's ok, I can live with that.
Reference the Frig problem: It looks to be a program board, I think. It's at a RV repair shop to be fixed. If I had to replace the frig, I'd go with the Dometic brand, never had a problem before.
On the positive side, after talking to Phoenix and Norcold on the phone, they were very polite and friendly.
Title: Re: StowAway screen door.
Post by: Gail Staton on November 01, 2016, 02:15:09 pm
Sandy,  Are you saying the only place to purchase one of these latches is from PC?   I bump ours too and it slams shut but has always opened as usual.  Who knows what the future slams will do?   I need to be more careful.

Gail
Title: Re: StowAway screen door.
Post by: Ron Dittmer on November 01, 2016, 03:37:46 pm
Hi All,

I am a confused.

Are you discussing the main entry screen door that is spring loaded?  If so, the plastic clamp-style latch is supposed to hold the screen door closed with the spring tension keeping the screen material taught.  Is the broken part in this discussion, that white plastic clamp on the door jamb that you can adjust it's grip by turning the screw?

Ron
Title: Re: StowAway screen door.
Post by: gradygal on November 01, 2016, 04:23:24 pm
Just as John says.

I bump our latch all the time. It sticks in the closed position and we just have to pry it back open. Not a biggy!
Title: Re: StowAway screen door.
Post by: Pax on November 02, 2016, 05:06:11 am
Many of the Southco latches are available on Amazon and the specs can be found on the Southco site (http://www.southco.com/en-us/c3)  The latches are set for differing tensions depending on the application and I don't what the PC version is set at.  Ours will sometimes fly open when bumped and with two little dogs we needed a solution. Not the most elegant, but I installed a hook/eye 'lock' that is operable from both inside and outside the door.  Very cheap and parts are all available from Lowe's/HomeDepot.  Works like a charm.

- Mike
Title: Re: StowAway screen door.
Post by: Ron Dittmer on November 02, 2016, 09:39:10 am
I take it Phoenix has recently introduced a different screen door latch system.  When did Phoenix make the change?  How does it work?

Here is the latch I thought you were discussing.  Sorry for my ignorance.

The Screen Door Latch Itself
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5701/30695763316_d220a06ac7.jpg)

Screen Door Open
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5813/30732891005_8fd7937ded.jpg)

Screen Door Closed
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5493/30695762696_dc4fef29ae.jpg)

Title: Re: StowAway screen door.
Post by: Barry-Sue on November 02, 2016, 06:43:35 pm
Ron,

Phoenix made the change in 2008.  We had the same latch system on our 2008 that we have on our 2012.  When we went to the factory in 2008 it was one of the things they pointed out to us as a change from 2007.
Sue
Title: Re: StowAway screen door.
Post by: Ron Dittmer on November 02, 2016, 10:52:23 pm
Ron,

Phoenix made the change in 2008.  We had the same latch system on our 2008 that we have on our 2012.  When we went to the factory in 2008 it was one of the things they pointed out to us as a change from 2007.
Sue
Wow, I am so behind in history with this one.  I had no idea it was changed, let alone 8 years ago.

Thank you Sue.
Title: Re: StowAway screen door.
Post by: Captain Al on November 03, 2016, 08:36:19 pm
Our 2014 2100 has the Southco latch on the stowaway screen door..  Maybe it was a leftover...
Title: Re: StowAway screen door.
Post by: jfcaramagno on November 07, 2016, 01:21:50 pm
You can order Southco latches from ECP Hardware (www.ecph.com).