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