[hypoxia]

This is a new thread which addresses avoiding cargo bay door latch failure discussed in THIS thread.   It's important to note that the bay latch handle has a lever which  pushes the inner mechanism against the microswitch which activates the electric latches on each end of the bay door.   That lever does not even touch the inner mechanism once you release the handle.  If the inner mechanism sticks while it is pushing the microswitch, there is NOTHING you can do to keep it from burning out the two bay latches.

Check your bay door latches!  Look at the mechanism from the inside of the bay door, they are not covered or obstructed.  Operate the bay door switch handle & watch the mechanism move when you release the handle.  It should SNAP back into place.  If it doesn't you have a problem.

I tested all of my cargo bay handles today & found two which were sticking but still moving slowly.  On the bench, one stopped moving completely which would have caused the latch to burn out.  The worst was on the fuel bay (the dirty one in the photos) , the other was on the battery bay.  I cleaned them with mineral spirits & they both stopped moving without help.  I put light oil on the surface surrounding the washer in the photo & they moved freely after that.  A dry lubricant may be better.  I think the fuel bay latch mechanism should be covered to keep the corrosion down.  I may Velcro something over it.

The latch handle is a TriMark 030-2000 (Patent 6708537) adapted by Southco for their electric latch.  I propose drilling a hole in the handle assembly (preferred) or the bay door to add a push button momentary switch to actuate the latches.  That would eliminate all of the electrical & mechanical action the handle currently has which is THE problem.  The handle movement would be disabled & it would just be used to pull the door open.

Here are photos of the latch & switch.  Video of Latch Assembly Dragging As Mounted On The Door It should snap back
                           

Cherry-E72-40HT-datasheet.pdf Size: 98.36 KB  Downloads: 3

Cherry Micro Switch E72-40HT Bay Door Latch.pdf Size: 206.79 KB  Downloads: 3

[arcticdude]

That’s a prime spot for one of the dry lube products. I like the ones with teflon best. Graphite would also work, but I don’t know how long it would last.

[hypoxia]

That’s a prime spot for one of the dry lube products.  I like the ones with teflon best.  Graphite would also work, but I don’t know how long it would past.

Probably a good solution.  I have a spray can, probably Blaster Teflon, but it is too soft to last.  In the past I have used Slip Plate Dry Graphite Spray which was very hard & durable, so much so that in aerosol form it was like paint.  Very difficult to remove any overspray.

[hypoxia]

Updated post #1 to clarify and added photo with descriptions    

[hypoxia]

Updated post #1 to clarify and added photo with descriptions[attachment=15286] and Cherry Micro Switch Data Sheets

Cherry-E72-40HT-datasheet.pdf Size: 98.36 KB  Downloads: 5

Cherry Micro Switch E72-40HT Bay Door Latch.pdf Size: 206.79 KB  Downloads: 4

[cwl1979]

Slip Plate in the spray can is a life saver. Make sure after use you invert the can and clean the nozzle. It will harden and make it not work. In my previous job i would use it by the gallon. Great stuff. As for a Spray lube i personally have been using off road chain lube, like for a dirt bike chain, or the silicon garage door spray.

[hypoxia]

I removed all of the handles yesterday, they all had grease so I liberally re-greased them and added some to the moving parts that had none.  I discovered a can of CRC dry graphite spray and used it on a couple of them.

The fuel bay handle had the most corrosion, the mechanism was dragging and during bench testing it completely stuck.  It should be covered to protect it.
The battery bay handle was clean but dragging and during bench testing it completely stuck.
Both wet bay handles had a slight amount of debris on them but were operating freely.
All other bay handles were clean and operating freely.

Dragging Latch Mounted On The Door - It Should SNAP! Back

Updated Post # 1 to show videos.

[hypoxia]

It happened!  A bay handle stuck when I pulled on it and it burned the latch motor out, probably both of them.  This is one of the handles I just lubricated.  I think the microswitch arm slipped to the side and jammed the mechanism, I was able to stick a finger in there and push the microswitch arm off of the mechanism which released it.  I wondered about that possibility when I took the handles off to lubricate them.  The microswitch arm is narrow and the handle arm that contacts the microswitch is also narrow.  I had given some thought about adding a wide plate to keep that from happening but never addressed it.

Oddly enough I had been noticing an odor from that bay recently which I couldn't identify.  The latch motor smells like it.


As luck would have it I just acquired 8 of those latches from another Guru two months ago.  

[Jack Houpe]

Jim your the man when it comes to newer coaches and you and a few others lead the pack on that I sit back with popcorn as its all Greek to me. I absorb your information.

[CaptainGizmo]

Good discovery, Jim!

I'm just mind-numb over those latches and how the actuator even burns out in the first place. And oddly, our 2015 has the new style, yet another 2016 did not. Go figure.

But, none the less, not a single pull on my handle doesn't make me cringe...and every single time, I listen for a crisp actuation. I also was admonished, on the very first visit to Newell, to NEVER pull AND HOLD those handles; they said THAT'S what burns them out. Your discovery, somewhat dilutes that theory!

Thank you.