
halfdome, Danny wrote:I knew I could count on you Mr. Steve.![]()
I was thinking of this kind it's the KISS that I'm after.
Danny
Nobody wrote:Heikki, I used a locking bar mechanism & T-handle from an old P/U camper shell that I had. It wasn't being used so I scavenged it. Had to shorten the rods by about 1.5" each & that was actually the biggest problem I had. Those rods are 'hardened' & were a real b!tch to cut, especially with only a manually operated hacksaw. After installing the T-handle & locking rods I turned the handle to retract the rods to 'open' position, marked the rods for correct length, took them off the T-handle & cut them while they were being held in a sturdy vise. Dressed the ends lightly with a file so they'd easier slide into the locking receptacle. After reinstalling the rods I smeared the very end of each with lipstick, closed the hatch & while holding the hatch down tightly, I turned the T-handle as if locking/latching the hatch, then turned the handle back to retract the rods. The lipstick left a very visible mark on the inside walls of the galley where the locking receptacle needed to be. I then simply drilled the appropriate sized hole to correct depth. I had enough room to then attach a large steel washer (with 3 screws countersunk) to reinforce each hole that receives the locking rods (I'd planned for this ahead of time so the galley walls at these points are solid wood all the wa thru to the aluminum skin). When my hatch is closed the rods extend almost an inch into the receptacle on either side of the galley. It was a simple, relatively easy install, well within Danny's K.I.S.S. parameters
Here's a few pix -
T-handle in closed postion
Inside view of locking device
Close-up of T-handle/rod connection w/rods in locked position
Locking rod receptacle
Showing how much of the rod actually extends into receptacle
Dean in Eureka, CA wrote:Danny,
This Norwegian scoffed at all the prefabbed stuff for camper shells that he came across and decided to build something which would be concealed insde the cavity from odds and ends...
Looking from inside the galley...
Grant's T-handle, 4-small ball joint assemblies, 2-lengths of 3/8" rod, 6-bronze bushing bearings, 4- shaft collars and two scraps of flat bar.
I'm going to add two more shaft collars and attach small coil springs to them to keep the mechanism sprung in the unlocked position to keep from accidently closing hatch with the rods sticking out.
I'll be adding a removable maple access panel on the interior side of the hatch and a roller bearing will be mounted in the panel which the tail end of the t-handle will fit into to keep the square stock on the t-handle from flopping around...
halfdome, Danny wrote:I knew I could count on you Mr. Steve.![]()
I was thinking of this kind it's the KISS that I'm after.
Danny
halfdome, Danny wrote:Heikki, I think any of those in the last 3 posts will work including the ones you found. Now is anything like that available in your area? If you can't find one I can, and will send to you per our agreement. I hope this thread is helping shed some light on your hatch locking quest. I wondering how tight the ends of a hatch would be from water penetration. Would an outside latch be required to pull down on the weather stripping like most TD'rs do? Would the arms with the hatch latch in the picture Steve showed pull it tighter and not require outside latches?Danny
halfdome, Danny wrote:Heikki, I think any of those in the last 3 posts will work including the ones you found. Now is anything like that available in your area? If you can't find one I can, and will send to you per our agreement. I hope this thread is helping shed some light on your hatch locking quest. I wondering how tight the ends of a hatch would be from water penetration. Would an outside latch be required to pull down on the weather stripping like most TD'rs do? Would the arms with the hatch latch in the picture Steve showed pull it tighter and not require outside latches?Danny
Classic Finn wrote:Maybe someone can chime in on the outside locks to draw the hatch tighter? and requirement. Im having a lip done on the outside of hatch bottom as well so it will help keep water out..Heikki
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