Forum Discussion

et2's avatar
et2
Explorer
Feb 01, 2015

Frozen bay lock

Well, I got the MH put into the new storage spot with power to keep the batteries charged. But the dang electrical bay lock is frozen. I squirted it with de-icer, heated the key and tried to open quite a few times, bought a mini pencil torch and heated the outside. The torch has a heater attachment to it for soldering. I put this behind the latch and did a good heat to the whole area. Still can't open it.

Any ideas? I know, before it's said, move about 1200 miles south :B
Class A
  • et2's avatar
    et2
    Explorer
    Feb 02, 2015
    Well the only thing not tried is the hair dryer. LOL, I or my wife don't use one. So I'll get one tomorrow and give it a try. After I dig a path out of the house. About 13" of snow on the ground by morning.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    Feb 02, 2015
    sounds more like rust than ice.

    I've had to use this on some of my locks including the door to the coach one time!

    PB Blaster


    You should have a can of this on board at all times in an RV! Will loosen 'everything' known to man! :W
  • Flanz's avatar
    Flanz
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2015
    et2 wrote:
    Well, I got the MH put into the new storage spot with power to keep the batteries charged. But the dang electrical bay lock is frozen. I squirted it with de-icer, heated the key and tried to open quite a few times, bought a mini pencil torch and heated the outside. The torch has a heater attachment to it for soldering. I put this behind the latch and did a good heat to the whole area. Still can't open it.

    Any ideas? I know, before it's said, move about 1200 miles south :B


    Just went into one of my compartments and it was frozen solid, pulled out the hair dryer and in about a minute I was in. Now I've got my cooler to carry beers for the big game.....GO PATS!!!!

    -paul
  • Dale_Traveling's avatar
    Dale_Traveling
    Explorer II
    Feb 01, 2015
    If it's truly iced up and not something mechanical a hair dryer is your best option. Good volume of focused heat but not enough to damage the coach.
  • mayo30's avatar
    mayo30
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2015
    Can't still be frozen with all that effort.Using the right key?Lock malfunction or something.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Feb 01, 2015
    Hi,

    Too late now, but packing the lock with Vaseline works in the far north. I use a radiant heater to melt the compartment doors on my unit.

  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2015
    Our lockable mailbox lock froze one year and I had to put a torch on it to get it to open. This assumes that the lock is frozen and not mechanically defective!

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