Salem Ice Cabin Door Latch Issue

[jjohnson5150]

Are there any Salem Ice cabin owners out there that have had issues with the door latch? Ours appears to have broke after I tried to open the door while stopped for gas yesterday. The latch handle is loose almost as if the mechanism connecting busted. Inside handle is the same. Fortunately, I was able to use the deadbolt to keep the door shut. I plan on taking it apart, but wanted to check to see if there was anyone with a similar issue who can offer some advice. I suppose I could order the part if it came down to it. The issue is that I'd have to install it myself or pull it to Alex RV or Coats. I'd also like to see if anyone has modified the battery system in these units. Our power typically comes from the generator, but I'd like to be able to rely on battery for stealth mode at times. Even on a full charge, the battery does not last long.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I had a similar door on my last house, and it sounds similar to when my latch froze shut. It is an ongoing issue with all fish house doors, as the aluminum frames condense and freeze. I don't know the answer, other than to keep some lock de-icer on hand, and keep the internals lubed up.

How long does your normal battery last? What furnace make/model is in there? You should be able to get a long weekend out of two batteries, as long as you aren't running an inverter to power a tv or microwave.

[BigDogRob]

I had a similar issue up on LOW and had to use the deadbolt to keep it shut...(Ice Castle camper door) I think it also was from condensation building up on the inside of the door latch and then it stuck. If you take and heat up and it pops loose then that is the problem and you can pull it apart and throw in some insulation and not have any more problems. That or keep a pencil torch in a cabinet for when it does it again.

[jjohnson5150]

When it's really cold and the 20k btu forced air furnace is running hard, I'd probably get 4-6 hours off a battery. It's a single battery set up, so if one went dead, you need to swap it out from the outside. I'm thinking of modifying this by using some of the space under the dinette bench that holds some of the electrical mechanics.

Thanks for the tip on the door latch. I'll try heating the house up to see if that releases the pin that holds the door shut. As of now, that pin is stuck inside the door latch. I'll still have to figure out how to re-engage the inside & outside handle so it functions.