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Screen door latch replacement

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Doneworking

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Screen door latch replacement
« on: June 14, 2021, 02:50:04 pm »
We love our screen door but on the last trip our latch disintegrated.  Essentially, it is a Southco style grabber latch recessed in the door and held by plastic clips at the top and bottom of the latch.   
I found what appears to be the exact latch on Amazon from two suppliers, both of which are "out of stock".    Given the special purpose of this style latch, I don't know if it is NOS or the COVID supply chain is a problem.   In any event, I want the screen door fixed before my next trip in about a month. 

I bought a magnetic heavy duty latch yesterday at Home Depot and I think I will simply attach the provided steel plate to the edge of the aluminum screen door and the mount the magnet portion appropriately aligned and spaced on the door frame after removing the original Southco receiver hook. 

I am sure others have replaced the originals and maybe with original type designs but has anyone used a magnetic catch?   


Bear in mind these are not refrigerator magnets.   This baby is strong and the packaging does not give how strong it is, but the model number seems to indicate 7 pounds lifting strength.   In placing the magnet portion on a heavy piece of steel to test it, I certainly think it will hold and if it doesn't I can always use two of them.   If it is too strong, that is an easy problem to rectify by limiting the contact surface.

I searched the forum archives and found some old discussion about finding the replacements five years ago.   Of course, I could always call PC but I would really like to eliminate problem of a plastic catch altogether.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2021, 02:54:22 pm by Doneworking »

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2021, 03:45:16 pm »
So....Your 2013 model year screen door retainer is different than this?  I did not realize the design changed.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2021, 03:47:14 pm by Ron Dittmer »
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Doneworking

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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2021, 07:27:54 pm »
No, Ron my latch is completely different.   Take a look at this:

https://www.amazon.com/Southco-C3-510-Grabber-Catch-Latches/dp/B010O4XOUE/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3L0W6ARSGUVTK&dchild=1&keywords=southco+grabber+latch&qid=1623712310&sprefix=southco+grabber%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-8

That is a 10 pounder and what I need is a five pounder.   I'm afraid ten pounds would be way too much.  The five pound models are not available, even though a few sellers are showing them on Amazon.   I had an order in for two weeks and then Amazon cancelled it because of being out of stock.   

I think we have all had experiences with these Southco products and I carry five or six regular Southco latches with me because I know I will replace several over the summer. 

The magnets would require modification to the screen door that only consists of two small mounting screws (or even 3M tape) to hold the steel striker plate in place in place.   Also, the existing Southco latch is held on the main PC door frame with a couple of pop rivets so that modification is simple.  Simply replace the existing Southco hook by mounting the magnet in the same vicinity. 

I can't find the exact latch I bought on the HD website but here is something similar but less powerful.   


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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2021, 07:35:52 pm »
So, this is the SouthCo Latch your screen door uses......very interesting.  I did not realize of the design change.

Other than the feature that snaps it into your door jamb, it appears to be identical to the latches used on Phoenix cabinet doors.  Am I correct?  If so, if the snap-in external housing is still good, I wonder if you could swap internal parts with one from the common, easy to get cabinet door latch.  If it's too weak, maybe you could reuse the original stronger spring.

Just tossing out a wild idea here.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2021, 07:41:50 pm by Ron Dittmer »
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donc13

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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2021, 08:54:22 pm »
So, this is the SouthCo Latch your screen door uses......very interesting.  I did not realize of the design change.

Other than the feature that snaps it into your door jamb, it appears to be identical to the latches used on Phoenix cabinet doors.  Am I correct?  If so, if the snap-in external housing is still good, I wonder if you could swap internal parts with one from the common, easy to get cabinet door latch.  If it's too weak, maybe you could reuse the original stronger spring.

Just tossing out a wild idea here.

I have that latch on my 2015 PC also.   Yes, looks like cabinet latches but larger.   It's white and the actual latch portion fits flush inside the frame for the screen.   When not in use, the screen rolls up inside the door frame like a window shade, except it's side to side rather than up and down like a roller shade. It is not a "door" but rather just screen material that fills the opening with the "frame" where that latch is simply a vertical hollow aluminum square tube that has a roller at the top that keeps it in the top track.

« Last Edit: June 14, 2021, 08:56:45 pm by donc13 »
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Doneworking

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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2021, 09:40:04 pm »
Don is correct, it is not a true screen door but I think the term "screen door" generically describes it function. 

Ron, as I stated in my original post, the mechanism disintegrated.  It dropped pieces all over the ground, including the spring and bits of plastic so it obviously cannot be rehabilitated.   It is a one way insert in that I suspect once it is in place you will tear the heck out of it getting it back out.   It is, as I stated, about the same as a regular latch except it is clip mounted and not screw mounted.

My question is:  has anyone used a magnetic catch of the appropriate strength for the purpose??

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2021, 11:16:57 pm »
For the record, it sounds like we have the exact same roll-up screen door system but with a difference latch design.

Regarding a magnet.  I wonder if a full length top-to-bottom rubber magnet adhered to the aluminum screen frame, would be an alternative to a strong pin-point magnet.  If not strong enough, maybe attach one on each surface for double the grip.  If it offer too strong of a grip, remove some length.

Again, just another idea without any personal experience.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2021, 11:23:26 pm by Ron Dittmer »
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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2021, 02:35:34 pm »
eBay is generally  a good source for obsolete or nos new old stock parts.

Or maybe try a double  row magnetic cabinet latch attached to the screen door frame with double sided Gorilla Tape?
Goin' where the wind goes...

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Gixxerkid3

Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2021, 02:48:40 pm »
FYI- I looked at Amazon for some of these latches.  I noted different part numbers for these.  It looks like they come in different widths for the screen.  Word to the wise, check the width you need toward the width of your screen door. 

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mikeponiatowski

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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #9 on: June 19, 2021, 09:44:08 am »
So....Your 2013 model year screen door retainer is different than this?  I did not realize the design changed.


Ron,

I have a latch like the one pictured on my 2007 PC 2100.  Have you ever replaced it?  Do you have an name and supplier for it?  It would be nice to have a spare.

Mike

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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #10 on: June 19, 2021, 10:02:58 am »
Hi Mike,

I never pursued buying a spare.  Like you say, it would be nice to have one in the PC tool box.  I have lots of other types of spares, why not one of these too?
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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #11 on: June 19, 2021, 10:18:39 am »
The screen door on the older units, at least mine (08) and Rons (07) do have different doors/latches.  I verified this with the factory.  I was looking for the bottom track that cracked and was told they are made anymore.

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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #12 on: June 19, 2021, 10:25:49 am »
The screen door on the older units, at least mine (08) and Rons (07) do have different doors/latches.  I verified this with the factory.  I was looking for the bottom track that cracked and was told they are made anymore.

Maybe I can help with the cracked bottom track for the screen door.  Mine cracked and I was able to fabricate a way to stablize it from cracking further.  Check out the formum track below and look for my fix.  I included a picture.  It works great.

https://forum.phoenixusarv.com/index.php?topic=4132.msg36393#msg36393

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stopsusa

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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #13 on: July 05, 2021, 12:57:08 am »
No, Ron my latch is completely different.   Take a look at this:

https://www.amazon.com/Southco-C3-510-Grabber-Catch-Latches/dp/B010O4XOUE/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3L0W6ARSGUVTK&dchild=1&keywords=southco+grabber+latch&qid=1623712310&sprefix=southco+grabber%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-8

That is a 10 pounder and what I need is a five pounder.   I'm afraid ten pounds would be way too much.  The five pound models are not available, even though a few sellers are showing them on Amazon.   I had an order in for two weeks and then Amazon cancelled it because of being out of stock.   

I think we have all had experiences with these Southco products and I carry five or six regular Southco latches with me because I know I will replace several over the summer. 

The magnets would require modification to the screen door that only consists of two small mounting screws (or even 3M tape) to hold the steel striker plate in place in place.   Also, the existing Southco latch is held on the main PC door frame with a couple of pop rivets so that modification is simple.  Simply replace the existing Southco hook by mounting the magnet in the same vicinity. 

I can't find the exact latch I bought on the HD website but here is something similar but less powerful.   


This should be the replacement - the manufacturer of the retractable screen door is Liftco.
https://www.liftcoproducts.com/product-page/liftco-replacement-screen-door-latch

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Doneworking

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Re: Screen door latch replacement
« Reply #14 on: July 05, 2021, 09:26:42 am »
Here is an update to my original post.   

I replaced the existing latch with the HD magnetic latch and it works fine.  I just drilled out the pop rivets in the original catch and installed a magnetic catch there and a small steel plate on the screen door itself.   The screen door has always tended to be a bit out of plumb and I put a second latch at the top of screen as well.  This really aligned it correctly.   Not wanting to drill holes for the second latch, I used  3M VHB tape on it and gave it a couple of days to obtain max strength.  I also used the tape to install the small steel plate to the screen door at the top.  The door frame is white and the latches are white and match just fine finish wise.   

Actually, I like this setup much better than the original.   It is operationally smoother and I don't have the worry of another plastic part breaking.    Like most of us, we travel with several of the Southco style latches because we know at least one or two will break on a multiweek trip.   

Also, I replaced my two coach batteries.   I thought the old ones were three years or so old but nope,  they were six years old and since we almost exclusively boondock, I wanted to be a more happy camper.   Time flies faster as we age, I suppose.  The old and new ones were purchased at the same place:  Sams Club.  I known batteries also generate a lot of personal preference but I have gotten good service from their batteries for 25 years and like the prices and the fact that Sams is ten minutes from my house. 

Paul
« Last Edit: July 05, 2021, 09:30:26 am by Doneworking »