Condenser door locks

[Lin]

Alright, they not really locks.  I just do not know what they are called.  The condenser screen door is held close by latches that have a large screw head on the outside and catch a rod behind the jam when turned.  Mine has four of these, and it is a bit of a nuisance to open and close.  Has anyone found a good way to improve this system. 

[Dallas]

Dzus fasteners

150262073534   

[Lin]

Dallas,
     Yes that's them.  I suppose I could replace them with the wingnut version.  It would make it a little more accessible, but I was hoping to find an easier method of latching and also locking the door.  Dzus! Zonda! Batman, how could I forget that!

[DrivingMissLazy]

It is hard to imagine anything easier or more reliable than the Dzus.

Richard

[HighTechRedneck]

but I was hoping to find an easier method of latching and also locking the door. 

Cam locks?

[Lin]

DML,
     Individually, that's true.  But that changes when their in a gang.  It reminds me of when I lived on the Lower Eastside of Manhattan.  One had to deal with four locks each time you left or returned home.  Actually, I only had three locks, but one had a steel bar that was inserted into a hole in the floor and leaned into the door lock mechanism to make it more difficult to smash the door down.  With the Dzus, it takes four of them to open and close the door.  I realize I could probably get by with using just the top and bottom, but I'm sort of obessive/compulsive in that way.  If it's there, I have to use it.  Further, these things don't lock so nothing of value, like my diamond tiara, can be left in the compartment.
     Cam locks are a possibility.  One would have to add some metal to the frame of the screen door to have room to put one, but it can be done.

[DrivingMissLazy]

Just curious. How often do you have to get into this compartment, especially after you get her finished and on the road? Answer might make a difference on how much time/effort you want to spend on this problem as compared to other problems you may have.

Richard

[Lin]

Good point, but the compartment under the drivers seat also has Dzuses.  I would like to be able to use both as easily and securely as the bays, but you may be right about the effort to benefit ratio.  I have removed the original bus heat and AC system which opened up a large space, maybe 20" by the width of the bus, which is accessible from the condenser compartment.  I put a 45 gallon propane tank there and still have half the space left.

[jjrbus]

When I started my conversion, I was going to do somethng about thoses Darn dzuses, about 1000 hours into it I kinda put the idea aside, at 2000 hours they were on the back burner. At 4000 hours they were no longer on the list. After 5000 hours, I'll change them when the world runs out of large bladed screwdrivers!!!!!!!!
A wise man once told me "do not get caught up in the details" I shuda listened!!!!!!

[tekebird]

heck you don't even need a laerge flat blade screwdriver.....a quarter or a nickle work just as well.

heck in a pinch the back side of a key

if you are worried about security, put a ford door lock on it, or chevy if your a GM guy.....my A3 has them on every door.

But I would not be locking any compartment with a LP tank in it.

unless maybe your in Sparta GA camoping on the side of the road or something

[Lin]

Good point about not locking a propane compartment, but I could open a locked bay faster than opening the four Dzus.

[junkman42]

As a person that spent a major part of his life strapped to Air Force aircraft I can't imagine anything more reliable and simple that a dzus fastners or their equivelents.  Worry about things like a door that wont open and close without a gorilla to assist.  I have not been able to solve My door problem and am about to use dzus fastners,may need outside assistance to get in and out of coach.  LOL, John

[tekebird]

Lin, perhaps your Dzus fastenier are dirty or corroded.

I can open my condensor door in less time it would take to fish my key out and open a single lock

[gus]

Lin,

On my 4104 expanded metal door I used simple latches from Home Depot. These are over center and tighten as you push them into place.

They come in at least three different sizes and are simple and quick to use. I also installed them on my rear battery door to replace the old rusted out ones.

As I remember I had to install flat strap metal to the bottom to mount the latches but in at least one case I used the original latch base.

I'll be glad to send you some stock numbers and photos.

[Lin]

Gus
    Please post or email the info.  The address is in the profile.  Thanks