Lock for Battery Box

[Mikec1231]

We just picked-up our new 27' FB Serenity AS this weekend and park it in the community lot near our home. The batteries in the front box have only a twist turn latch to keep the top closed. I would like to replace it with an actual lock. Any ideas on where I can get a replacement and maybe what size diameter the lock needs to be?
Thanks in advance.
Mike

[moosetags]

That hole in the battery box where the lever is will take a key lock version. You can get one at most any RV supply store like Camping World.

Brian

[Phoenix]

Use Internet search engine (e.g., Google) to look for "baggage lock". See typical link, below:

http://www.alsrv.com/content/p/8/sty...r=baggage+lock

[Florida 55]

I bought a stainless steel cam lock from Grainger.

[pal50]

I went to our local security/lock store and brought in my lock to the luggage compartment and they had a lock that fit the battery box it is an automotive style lock. I had them both keyed the same. thought one less key. then I had the water door keyed the same. One key three locks!

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, unless you drill two holes into the lid of the battery box and into the main body of the battery box, and install pad locks, you are wasting your time and money. The lid is only a thin piece of sheet metal and can be easily pried open.

[dwightdi]

Locks only help keep honest people stay honest. At best, they provide a time factor exposure to criminals, so honest citizen might see them and they decide to move on to an easier prey.

[Doug2009FC]

While on the subject of locking stuff, I use a bicycle U-type lock for my propane tanks. Run it through both of the tanks and it keeps them and the cover secure. The cover and tanks would cost you 1K to replace. Much more expensive than two marine batteries. I also use the trailer safety chains and a serious padlock to secure my generator at the trailer tongue. Can barely hear my Cummins generator from that location also.

[TBRich]

I took the latch lock out of the battery box and took it to Ace Hardware where I found a direct replacement with a key...I also replaced the same locks on the outside frig compartment doors with the same lock, all keyed the same.

I do agree with ROBERTSUNRUS that this will only deter those who don't want to take the time to break into the battery box... If you really want to protect the battery box from serious intruders, you will have to be more aggressive.

[CactusBert]

With the key, pliers and some WD 40 I finally got 1 battery box open. I haven't been able to open the other yet - the key bends. From the discussion above, it sounds like a replacement lock should be readily available. Since this is on the front of the trailer where all the water and dirt will hit, are there covers to protect a new lock from getting frozen up? Any suggestions on getting the other one open? Thanks!

[hikingcamera]

I know this is an old thread, but I’ve been looking into options here primarily to prevent someone from putting a new fuse on my tongue jack which I remove when at home. I came across this lock from California Immobilizer. I plan to measure tomorrow to see if it will be a good fit

[tbrowne]

They tell you almost nothing about it except the price, which is pretty high. How does it work, what's it made of and how long will it take to defeat it? It doesn't look like it would take long to have it off and the batteries out.

[hikingcamera]

Originally Posted by tbrowne

They tell you almost nothing about it except the price, which is pretty high. How does it work, what's it made of and how long will it take to defeat it? It doesn't look like it would take long to have it off and the batteries out.

I emailed them already a few questions though it’s a fairly straightforward design. But agreed, for the price it seems a pretty simple piece of metal. As I thought about it more, I’m not sure it’s worth the cost.

[AKSteve]

Whoever put my battery box together must've been in a huge hurry. I had the lid partially open earlier today while working on something else and banged into it lightly and it just flew off. The hinged side of the lid was being held in place by just one rivet. The other rivet was already broken off. And in the spot where the 3rd rivet was supposed to be, there wasn't even a hole drilled into the battery box for the rivet to go into.

I replaced the rivets with metal screws and now the lid is held in place securely although I still need to drill a hole in the top of the battery box for a 3rd screw. I may also just drill holes in the side where the latch goes and just keep the lid screwed down and just use my drill to open and close the box when I need to get in there.