frig/freezer lid latches

[Don Lucas]

I'm tired of the plastic latches on my boat breaking so offen, has anyone replaced them with something better?

 

[Ed Caldwell]

Adjustment is key if this is your type of latch

Don, I have replaced a few of those myself on both the fridge lid and cabinets. They are very sensitive to the positioning of the "catcher" side so that the catch doesn't close prematurely. Once I read over this literature (attached - see p3) and understood how to adjust, I haven't had a problem for several years.

Also our fridge lid had two latches side by side and I ended up just leaving it off when I couldn't get it adjusted like I wanted. The heavy lid seems to stay closed just fine and it's easier to open.

 

[Don Lucas]

Thanks. But is isn't like there really is much adjustment possible (maybe 1/64" of an inch). The other problem of course is that you really can not see the alginment.

I know that it does ake a difference as to whether I can them as everytime 1 breaks it results is the lid not really staying closed as tight and the freezer ices up.

 

[artboas]

On my 40.5, I stopped replacing the top catches

Don, I have replaced a few of those myself on both the fridge lid and cabinets. They are very sensitive to the positioning of the "catcher" side so that the catch doesn't close prematurely. Once I read over this literature (attached - see p3) and understood how to adjust, I haven't had a problem for several years.

Also our fridge lid had two latches side by side and I ended up just leaving it off when I couldn't get it adjusted like I wanted. The heavy lid seems to stay closed just fine and it's easier to open.

I read somewhere that gravity was known to be reliable, and didn't need batteries.
Never had a problem with the lid.
If it really bothers you, put in either:
A magnetic catch
The brass spring loaded door catch which works at various entry angles.
Replacing the southco latches just ate up epoxy & my patience