Swim platform wet storage door latch

[F.M.]

Alright. Yesterday I joined the club of the broken wet storage door latches. I've contacted my local dealer and have new ones on order (under warranty).

Since they are cheap, I've decided to try to come up with a better option than just replacing them every so often. This is just a rough mock up to make sure the concept works and functions properly. Next week I'm planning on trying to find a better parts to make them and making mod permanent.

I started with my broken latch that I gutted.


I purchased a magnetic door latch and some mending plates from Home Depot.



I disassembled the door latch and removed the steel plates and magnets. I had to grind off the sides of the steel spacers for the magnets to get them to fit in the original latch housing.





Then I epoxied the magnet into the housing.


After curing I stuck it back in the seat back. And attached a mending plate in place of the hook side of the latch.



And then I closed the door and smiled when it clicked.

The hold is not as strong as I would like, but with a little tweaking and some better parts, I think it will work. The mending plate needs some spacers or maybe a washer ground into a wedge to help with alignment. And I am planning on trying to use a neodymium magnet for the catch, if I can find one that will fit the original latch housing.

I'l post more pics and give an update when I get a chance to source some better parts.

 

[Hector]

Here is a link to them on amazon. Probably a lot faster Southco Inc C3-305 Snap-In Grabber Catch .043 to .114 Panel Thickness, 5 Lbs. Pull Force https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010O4X24W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_i_g3r7AbH6G8QY8