Locking Trash Drawer

[Nowabeachbum]

I’ve always liked the way Entegra has handled the trash can, convenient but hidden. The problem has always been how hard it is to open, close and then stay closed. I went to Blum under drawer mounted, soft close slides and that solved my open and close but not the stay closed part. I had tried many mechanical locks but none were really what I was looking for. I realized that Entegra is now using an electromagnetic lock to lock the sliding 3 drawer section of the kitchen for travel. (They hadn’t always done that, so I’m not sure how far back this will work). So I took the 3 drawer section out and tapped the wires to the electromagnet and fished it over to under the kitchen sink. I then added an electromagnet to the trash drawer slide! Now it automatically locks itself every time I disengage the airbrake, then unlocks itself when the airbrake is engaged.

[Gary.Jones]

Interesting concept Gary..... thinking about a patent?

Gary

[brobox]

That took some thinking and I learned something. I didn't know the were electromagnetic locks on the other drawers. So much about the newer coaches I am still learning.

[jwprosser]

Ok - I knew somebody would come up with a better solution for this problem. I was getting ready to get the drill and find some latches from home depot - thank you for opening up the brain for me this morning.

Need to know a couple of things though -

1. Switch part number and vendor?
2. Where did you tap the circuit for the parking brake?

This fix is a great fix for lots of drawers and cabinets!

[LWBAZ]

Nice work, Gary!

Glad you came up with this solution. Based on what you described, it sounds like you were about ready to nail the trash drawer shut for travel.

[Nowabeachbum]

I have tried different systems on 4 of my last coaches! Somehow through all that, it became a thing! I wanted it to be exactly like the ones at the s&b. Hopefully now, it is no longer a thing!
I used this magnet:
https://www.amazon.com/Holding-Elect...ardware&sr=1-3
Which is virtually the same one Entegra used on the 3 drawer slide. I removed the 3 drawer slide-out and tapped the line to that magnet since it was already on the parking brake circuit. Pulling the 3 drawer slide-out requires removing the 3 drawers then removing the 4 screws that attach the wood carcass to the metal slide. Then just remove the 3 drawer section. That exposes the magnet. Reach in and add some wire and string to the next cabinet. A word of caution before removing the 4 screws, Mark the edges of the metal slide from underneath so it will be easier to find the screw holes when reinstalling. It was really an easy project.
And it is pretty funny to see how many screw holes I have in that drawer from different latches! Fortunately most are not visible. I haven’t actually traveled with this system yet but with 130lb pull, I tried yanking on it and it wouldn’t budge.

[Dieselgem]

Originally Posted by Nowabeachbum

I have tried different systems on 4 of my last coaches! Somehow through all that, it became a thing! I wanted it to be exactly like the ones at the s&b. Hopefully now, it is no longer a thing!
I used this magnet:
https://www.amazon.com/Holding-Elect...ardware&sr=1-3
Which is virtually the same one Entegra used on the 3 drawer slide. I removed the 3 drawer slide-out and tapped the line to that magnet since it was already on the parking brake circuit. Pulling the 3 drawer slide-out requires removing the 3 drawers then removing the 4 screws that attach the wood carcass to the metal slide. Then just remove the 3 drawer section. That exposes the magnet. Reach in and add some wire and string to the next cabinet. A word of caution before removing the 4 screws, Mark the edges of the metal slide from underneath so it will be easier to find the screw holes when reinstalling. It was really an easy project.
And it is pretty funny to see how many screw holes I have in that drawer from different latches! Fortunately most are not visible. I haven’t actually traveled with this system yet but with 130lb pull, I tried yanking on it and it wouldn’t budge.

I am guessing there is no inflight food service.

[jmorse1]

Whoo Boy!!!
Another upgrade for my classic!

John
2015 Aspire

[Gary.Jones]

Gary

Twp new facts... 1.) I have never seen an electromagnet lock like that.... that is really neat., and 2/) I did not know the three drawer cabinet had a magnetic lock. Ours have never come out as we have traveled, but thought it was just solidly secured. It is very hard to pull out as it is and we just thought that friction was keeping it secure

The big drawer we have used for pots and pans and a bread toaster and some other needed things and the big heavy granite sink covers have long ago gone into storage to yield up their precious storage space to something more important. That drawer has only come out a few times, but it has come out while rounding a right turn faster than I should be making the turn, so that is something I will actively consider.

Thanks again for the idea and the information. That may find a use in my coach.

Just wondering.... is your picture backwards?

Gary

[777 Driver]

Maybe it looks better like this:



Rotated 90 degrees right to improve sink draining.

Take care,
Stu

[Gary.Jones]

Stu

I think that looks the same.......

Gary

[777 Driver]

Hi Gary,

It could be a platform display issue (phone/iPad/etc.). On my desktop and laptop, the image posted by nowabeachbum (Gary) needed to be rotated 90 degrees right to display properly (water flows downhill).

Take care,
Stu

[Stu and Sue]

Ah, now I see said the plumber'man.....

[Craneboy302]

Hi Gary & people, I like the idea of the lock because we have replaced the slides twice because it came open while traveling. Now we put a cushion against the drawer & tip a chair on it side to hold the it closed. I know there has to be a better way because it is pain to get over it to the bath.
I was wonder where I could find the wire that I would use to unlock the magnet.
I suppose I could use a hot wire & put a switch in for power.
Oh 2015 Aspire DEQ