Battery compartment door lock replacement

[StillGame]

Has anybody replaced the factory installed compression locks on the battery and cellar doors? I'd like to find a similar lock that uses a better key.

[rich.dev]

You can replace the stock Southco lock with “stamped” key 

 

with this lock with “cut” key

I found this one (not Southco), not sure if it will fit though, you can also check Southco and/or Amazon

[Steph and Dud B]

1 hour ago, rich.dev said:

I found this one (not Southco)

That's a slam/press latch. It would probably chew up the gasket and the fiberglass edge of the opening unless you remembered to hold it open while closing the hatch. I don't see any Southco compression latches with real keys that would directly fit our application.

If anyone does find one please post.

[rich.dev]

Ok I found this from Southco (attached PDF), so definitely available in a more secure option....i.e. style 9 cut key vs the stock style 8 stamped key that we have from Oliver. 

 

Southco M1 latch.pdf

[Steph and Dud B]

3 hours ago, rich.dev said:

Ok I found this from Southco

@rich.dev, you are good! I didn't realize there were different key options for the various latches! Thank you!

[rich.dev]

7 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:

I didn't realize there were different key options for the various latches!

Yup, need the hole dia. (2 or 2.5”), door thickness, short or long cam and grip size/range. My trailer is in storage, I can check this weekend. 

[MAX Burner]

With the $'s invested in our kit inside the battery compartment (i.e.; numerous LAs, AGMs, or LiFePo's, solar charge controllers, etc,), the hatch is begging for a more secure locking mechanism other than the Southco M1 25 Series Compression Latch with the easily obtainable and punny M1-546 key.

Wondering if it would be worth the effort to have a large number of forum members approach Oliver with a collective request to upgrade the battery compartment compression latch?

The same thieves stealing catalytic converters could easily change their focus on ripping off RV battery compartment components and probably increase their effort/profit margin by doing so.

[rich.dev]

1 minute ago, MAX Burner said:

Wondering if it would be worth the effort to have a large number of forum members approach Oliver with a collective request to upgrade the battery compartment compression latch?

Count me in, sure Oliver can get a good volume discount, I’m prepared to pay for 2 from Oliver! 

[topgun2]

Nothing will happen if someone(s) doesn't actually send a letter/email/PM/all of the above making this suggestion to Oliver. 

I'd do it but I'm on the road for the next two months 😁.

If it were me - I'd start with communication to Rodney Lomax.

Bill

[StillGame]

Good advice.  I'm heading out for a week, but will contact Rodney about repalcements.

[rich.dev]

Ok so from what I could figure out we need part# M1-20-91-78

20 = 2” hole dia.
9 = cut key
1 = 0.25” door thickness
7 = Long cam, offset reversed

 

 

Can someone check and verify the part#, I’m very new to Oliver and contacts in Hohenwald, but once we have confirmed the part# I don’t mind sending an email to support. Pretty sure Oliver should be able to confirm the part# we need to replace the latch with “1910” stamped suitcase key with the cut key latch. 

 

[rich.dev]

Update, I don't have Rodney Lomax's direct email so I emailed (see below) support with request to forward it to Rodney. I almost immediately received a response from Jason Essary (I'm impressed)...."I have forwarded this to Rodney. This is something I have brought up in the past and I know it is on engineering's list of items to look at but it hasn't made its way to the top of the list yet" 

I really appreciate the quick response from Jason, and even if we don't get the keyed version of the Southco lock from Oliver, sounds like at least we are paving the way for future Oliver owners! I will update this thread as I receive info from Rodney. Like I said, I'm pretty new to Oliver, so if someone on this thread has a good connection/relationship with Rodney please feel free to chip in. 

 My email to support.......

 

We have a 2023 LEII with "Lithium Platinum Package". I never realised how easy it would be for someone to break-in and steal these high value batteries, until I read a post on the Oliver forum that the battery and basement door, with Southco latch and stamped key part# M1-545-4 are commonly used in the boat industry (some RVs) and these stamped keys are all the same!

As I think about the security and how the 640amp Lithium batteries are probably the most expensive “portable” items of my Oliver, also the easy access to the interior through the basement concerns me. I would be much more comfortable If I could replace these 2 stock/OEM locks with more secure locks. 

I looked at the Southco website and found that more secure latches are available. Notice the cut-key “lock style 9” (on right), vs the stock/OEM stamped key “lock style 8”.

    

Stock “lock style 8” with stamped key                            “Lock style 9” with cut key

Wondering if a large number of forum members approach Oliver with a collective request to upgrade the battery compartment and basement compression latches, would Oliver be open to sourcing these more secure latches (lock style 9 with cut key) from Southco and offer them to the members?

Here’s the spec sheet of the Southco style 8 and 9 locks, from what I could figure out we need part# M1-20-91-78

20 = 2” hole dia.
9 = cut key
1 = 0.25” door thickness
7 = Long cam, offset reversed

 

[ScubaRx]

14 hours ago, rich.dev said:

 

I looked at the Southco website and found that more secure latches are available. Notice the cut-key “lock style 9” (on right), vs the stock/OEM stamped key “lock style 8”.

    

Stock “lock style 8” with stamped key                            “Lock style 9” with cut key

Wondering if a large number of forum members approach Oliver with a collective request to upgrade the battery compartment and basement compression latches, would Oliver be open to sourcing these more secure latches (lock style 9 with cut key) from Southco and offer them to the members?

Here’s the spec sheet of the Southco style 8 and 9 locks, from what I could figure out we need part# M1-20-91-78

20 = 2” hole dia.
9 = cut key
1 = 0.25” door thickness
7 = Long cam, offset reversed

 

Why couldn’t a group of owners approach Southco with the same idea. It would be more likely to happen in a more timely manner. 

[NCeagle]

4 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

Why couldn’t a group of owners approach Southco with the same idea. It would be more likely to happen in a more timely manner. 

This may be worth a try although I suspect it may take a company like Oliver with some large orders to actually get Southco to respond.  I actually tried to order one of the "Style 9" locks directly from Southco (off of their website) a few years ago right after we took delivery of our Ollie in 11/20.  I placed the order and they never charged my credit card and never sent me the new lock.  I tried to contact them a few times without success and just gave up because I had so many other things I was working on with the new trailer.  It was probably a case of not enough paying customers to make the style 9 lock profitable.

Count me in - I'm still in the market to replace the cheaper locks.

[rich.dev]

7 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

Why couldn’t a group of owners approach Southco with the same idea. It would be more likely to happen in a more timely manner. 

Like @NCeagle said, it may take Oliver with some large orders to get a response from Southco. Changing these locks with dollhouse type stamped keys is priority for me, so yes let’s approach Southco as well. How do you suggest we do it as a group? 

[Ollietime]

I'm interested in this as well... following.

[SeaDawg]

If you don't have luck with southco, or truly want something immediately,  you might try calling one of the bigger marine hardware distributors like jamestown distributors or boat outfitters. We've bought some quality items from jamestown,  and their pricing is decent.

[NCeagle]

I tracked down an older post and some notes I had made on this when I was shopping for a more secure replacement latch in 2020.  I remember trying to order the latch on Southco and the only option was "request a quote" - which I did and never heard back.  Just checked again and it's still the same message: https://southco.com/en_us_int/m1-20-91-78.  I also had found this site that offered Southco latches that also led to a dead end in 2020:  http://www.uglyfishinc.com/southco-m1-deck-hatch-marine-enclosure-latches-p/m1-2x-xx-x8.htm.  I just tried it again and ended up with a locking compression latch with part number M1-20-91-78 (as @rich.devcorrectly identified earlier).  I was able to place an order for a pair of them so I'll see what happens and update this thread if I hear back or actually get the latches.  The price is $64 for the compression latch and $20 extra or the lock/key ($84 total for each latch).  Maybe it will work this time because 2020 was challenging for everyone and all businesses to say the least.

[rich.dev]

32 minutes ago, NCeagle said:

I was able to place an order for a pair of them so I'll see what happens and update this thread if I hear back or actually get the latches

Awesome thanks, I’ll check ‘‘em out as well! 

[SeaDawg]

Fwiw, uglyfish has pretty poor recent reviews, and when I clicked on your link, I got a warning ⚠️ about their website security?

 

[NCeagle]

5 minutes ago, SeaDawg said:

Fwiw, uglyfish has pretty poor recent reviews, and when I clicked on your link, I got a warning ⚠️ about their website security?

It's http (not https), so that's not great security - wise.  I set up an account on uglyfish 3 years ago and it's still there.  Seems like a legit site but who knows.  I've never actually tried to order anything else though, so will definitely keep a close eye on this - and I'm not going to hold my breath.  🙂   Thanks!

[SeaDawg]

Yeah, they're probably just a little mom n pop, and their cousin built the website. 🙂 Their address is in one of those office +storage unit places, for small shops, low overhead. 

I personally prefer to buy from small businesses, just concerned for you with the warning, and poor recent reviews. (Then again, we know there are usually just two types of reviews, stellar and cellar. Folks with average normal experiences rarely bother....)

[Katjo]

I’m interested in this also….following. 

[ScubaRx]

I placed a request with Southco for a price quote for twenty of the M1-20-91-78 locks. We'll see what they say.

[StillGame]

Just got back from a week out with Ollie. I see there's a lot of interest here. I going to try a local marine supply outfit near me, West Marine. Maybe i'll have some good news to report back.