Battery compartment door lock replacement

[ScubaRx]

On 7/9/2023 at 1:25 AM, ScubaRx said:

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.

 

I got a return call from Southco. I was told what everybody has already said. All the keys are the same, they are just overmolded to make them look more like a real key and that these latches are designed for marine applications. I'm not quite sure how that last part makes any difference unless the company thinks that normally a boat would be away from land and therefore less likely to be burgled.

[Half Fast Hugo]

I placed an order for two Southco locking compression latches, 7L279, from Great Lakes Skipper. They're on sale for about $13 cheaper than  buying them on Amazon which are also supplied by Great Lakes Skipper. It measures out to be the same as on my 2021 LE2 but the key looks to be a little more substantial. Still not going to keep a serious thief out but I do like the key much better than the original stamped ones. We'll see...

[Mike and Carol]

There was a discussion here 3 or 4 years ago about using a padlock on the battery tray to prevent someone who crow-barred the door open from sliding the tray out, making it that much more difficult to remove the batteries.  Drill through the frame and tray and secure with a good padlock.  It’s been on my list to do…. Mike

[rich.dev]

1 hour ago, Half Fast Hugo said:

I placed an order for two Southco locking compression latches, 7L279, from Great Lakes Skipper. They're on sale for about $13 cheaper than  buying them on Amazon which are also supplied by Great Lakes Skipper. It measures out to be the same as on my 2021 LE2 but the key looks to be a little more substantial. Still not going to keep a serious thief out but I do like the key much better than the original stamped ones. We'll see...

Nice, send some pics when you have them installed. 

[Half Fast Hugo]

Here's some pics of the installed locks. They're pretty close to identical and require no modifications whatsoever on my 2021 LE2. I had to get some 1" stainless 8-32 screws and locking nuts but that's about it. I like the keys as they feel much better than the old stamped ones. The locking mechanism on the inside is a little different engineering wise but, no lock will keep out a determined thief anyhow. We'll see how they hold up over time but they look just fine.

[StillGame]

They look good. I like that the key is more solid looking.

[Half Fast Hugo]

1 hour ago, StillGame said:

They look good. I like that the key is more solid looking.

The key is definitely much better than the stamped one. I was always afraid of bending the stamped key or breaking it off. Not so with these. I'll keep them on there and see how it goes. The biggest advantage is a larger more solid key. As mentioned though, nothing to keep someone from prying the door open and tearing up the fiberglass but, it least it keeps out the opportunist thieves.

[StillGame]

I also ordered the  Southco locking compression latches, 7L279, from Great Lakes Skipper. Just installed them with no issues.  Just had to get new screws etc., as all you get is the locks and keys when you order. Sale price is still on. I'd say the big advantage is the key. No longer afraid that I might snap it off in the lock.

[Steve Morris]

On 8/12/2023 at 11:55 AM, StillGame said:

I also ordered the  Southco locking compression latches, 7L279, from Great Lakes Skipper

Currently zero in stock, so I couldn't add them to the shopping cart.

[rich.dev]

3 hours ago, Steve Morris said:

Currently zero in stock, so I couldn't add them to the shopping cart.

Yup same here!😞

[mossemi]

I just viewed this YouTube video by 'The Fit RV'.  It has a new lock that might satisfy some of the security concerns mentioned in the post.

https://youtu.be/SVlGeO6RoKM?si=Gb0OrYhrs2SGJEbx

Mossey

 

[jd1923]

On 7/26/2023 at 3:55 PM, Mike and Carol said:

There was a discussion here 3 or 4 years ago about using a padlock on the battery tray to prevent someone who crow-barred the door open from sliding the tray out, making it that much more difficult to remove the batteries.  Drill through the frame and tray and secure with a good padlock.  It’s been on my list to do…. Mike

Revived an older thread here with an easy mod. Our $1800 Epoch mod is the largest single-dollar addition we've made to our Oliver.

Tried to change the Southco latch with a model that has the cut key. though all keyed alike is not cool. Don't like the round key model, as it looks like it could be opened with a screwdriver. One reseller said 88 days for shipping on the Southco cut key model M1-20-81-78 (88 must be the default code for lots-a-luck).

This only took me only a few minutes today. The tray steel is very hard, does not drill easy which is a good thing. Started small and finally drilled a 3/8” hole. The tray will only slide out an inch when locked. I tacked a 4x6" piece of 1" Styrofoam in the corner of the battery door so the padlock will not bounce around when towing. Had the old lock in a parts drawer for a zero-cost mod!

Edited Thursday at 02:14 AM by jd1923

[Boudicca908]

On 10/2/2024 at 9:50 PM, jd1923 said:

The tray will only slide out an inch when locked.

Your solution looks great, and effective. I may try to find someone who can drill a hole like that for me. Thanks for posting.

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, Boudicca908 said:

Your solution looks great, and effective. I may try to find someone who can drill a hole like that for me. Thanks for posting.

Yes, planning where to drill is not trivial. Choose your padlock before you drill. You need a short shackle lock (measurement D in photo) so that it will fit between the wall of the battery bay and the tray. Mine was very short at 0.91".

The shackle is actually longer (7/16" on mine) than this measurement with the section inside the lock, but you will angle it in to insert. My lock is 5/16" thick (measurement E) so a 3/8" hole allowed for the insertion angle. I kept drilling with bits 1/16" larger dia until I could just pass the lock through.

Drill your hole center of the tray slide. Measure in centered just less than the inside width of the lock (measurement C). Getting all of this right is key. I don't plan on unlocking this often with LiFePO4 batteries. Also, I can now remove the ground cable to disconnect 12VDC without opening the tray. Hope this helps!

[topgun2]

Several years ago it was found that the battery tray slides used on "older" Elite II had a single latch that could break under the right circumstances.  There was a fair amount of discussion about this here on the Forum with several "solutions" being recommended.

In order to solve the problem with my tray, I drilled a hole in virtually the exact same place as you did for your lock and placed a short bolt with a wing nut through it thus preventing the tray from sliding open.  I never thought about using that hole for a lock!  Thanks for the idea.

Bill

[jd1923]

7 minutes ago, topgun2 said:

I never thought about using that hole for a lock!  Thanks for the idea.

And recently you invested in LiFePO4! Hopefully, where you drilled will fit a lock. If not, there is always the other side of the tray.

Edited Friday at 05:18 PM by jd1923

[topgun2]

4 hours ago, jd1923 said:

And recently you invested in LiFePO4! Hopefully, where you drilled will fit a lock. If not, there is always the other side of the tray.

Yep - 

Even if only a 1/4 inch shackle is used, it is better than nothing.

Edited Friday at 10:11 PM by topgun2

[Patriot]

1 hour ago, topgun2 said:

Yep - 

Even if only a !/4 inch shackle is used, it is better than nothing.

A good idea especially while you have it stored. 👍🏻

[Ronbrink]

18 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Choose your padlock before you drill. You need a short shackle lock (measurement D in photo) so that it will fit between the wall of the battery bay and the tray.

I have two of these locks on my skiff/trailer, one for the OB motor and another for the trailer hitch pin hole (keyed alike); great for tight quarters such as may be encountered in the battery box. I’ll take one and check for adequate fitment at the battery tray, as well as the bulldog, and report back. The reduced shackle exposure provides increased security, making it more difficult to reach with a bolt cutter or even grind.

[Boudicca908]

2 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

I’ll take one and check for adequate fitment at the battery tray, as well as the bulldog, and report back.

I'm interested in hearing if it will fit.

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

The reduced shackle exposure provides increased security, making it more difficult to reach with a bolt cutter or even grind.

May be difficult to fit with the wide round body, but if it does it would be a great lock. A thief with a crowbar may not also have bolt cutters. If the thief has bolt cutters, you will want this lock if possible or the 5/16" hardened shackle which is a LOT harder to cut than a 1/4" one. Yep, let us know and thanks. 

[Geronimo John]

On 7/8/2023 at 3:23 AM, NCeagle said:

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

Ditto!

GJ

[jd1923]

While you have drill in hand, source another padlock, a long-shackle lock for this mod!

Mark one end of the paddle nut and where to drill when it's mounted and tight. Then remove both parts, hammer the one side flat and drill both on a workbench vise.

These simple deterrents will chase the common thief away, thinking the can pry a battery door or merely lift the LP cover, not prepared with more sophisticated tools.