Solution for door over microwave without hydraulic lift

[Ralph & Paulette]

Originally Posted by drpaddle

Hi Ralph... I got my hinges and I'm staring at your picture and realize I need to attach some wooden blocks inside the cabinet so I can securely mount the hinge. Will you reveal how you attached your wood blocks? Epoxy?

Thanks!
Doug

Hi Doug. I just used wood glue to glue small pieces of 1x2 which I ripped down from 1 1/2" to 1 1/4" wide. I held them on with spring clamps until the glue dried.

[Sandra L]

Would it be awkward to have the door hinged on one side?...Just wondering...My microwave cupboard door was hinged on the side in my 17B and I had ETI put them on the top with the "air shocks" to keep it open....just the reverse..

[Ralph & Paulette]

Originally Posted by Ralph & Paulette

Hi Doug. I just used wood glue to glue small pieces of 1x2 which I ripped down from 1 1/2" to 1 1/4" wide. I held them on with spring clamps until the glue dried.

Also, make sure to place the hinges far enough toward the edges of the door that the outside screw nearest you (toward bottom when the door is closed) catches the thickest part of the wood on the frame. If you look at my pictures, the right hinge is about right. The left hinge is actually not quite as far to the left as it needed to be, as it didn't completely catch solid wood.

[Rossue]

Received those two hinges via China Post the other day and went out to install them but couldn't get them to move one way or the other in my hand. I had seen another option in another camper's trailer; this is what he bought:

WEST MARINE Hatch Arms | West Marine

[Ralph & Paulette]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Received those two hinges via China Post the other day and went out to install them but couldn't get them to move one way or the other in my hand.

Yes, they seem really stiff when you try to open and close them in your hand. But when you install them they are actually just right - about the same tension as the up-swing doors with hydraulic lifts.

Also, they actually pivots out slightly when they open, which is what allows the door to overlap the door opening and still be able to open without binding against the cabinet face. That pivoting makes them a little harder to open/close in your hand.

[Rossue]

Good to know; will go ahead & install- thanks.

[Red Dog]

Originally Posted by Ralph & Paulette

Probably like most, we hated trying to get something out of the cabinet above the microwave in the 21 because it doesn't have a hydraulic lift to keep the door open. I searched everywhere and couldn't find one small enough to fit (which I assume is why ETI doesn't put one there).

That's for posting this. I have been using a small block, as Ginger posted, to prop ours open. Since we full-time, I may try to find these hinges at Lowe's or Home Depot.





Regards,

[Mike Lewis]

I would be interested to know if the spring-loaded hinges pop the door open while the trailer is being towed. One good bump might do it. Or are they not under tension when the door is closed?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Red Dog

That's for posting this. I have been using a small block, as Ginger posted, to prop ours open. Since we full-time, I may try to find these hinges at Lowe's or Home Depot.

Fred...I did a little search. Maybe these could work for you?

Liberty 90-Degree Surface Mount Hidden Spring Hinge (1-Pair)-H01068C-UC-C5 - The Home Depot

[skiman]

I seem to remember a door holder that folks use on Casitas that was a spring that bent in a "u" shape in the closed position. When you opened the door, the spring straightened out to a linear shape. Can't find it now. Hmmm?

[fudge_brownie]

I installed the lighter/smaller version of the hinges last fall. They work very well. They open nicely and we did not experience any issues with them opening on their own.


A bit of a challenge for me to install as there is no template as to where to drill. Somewhat of a guess, take your time before drilling and be sure it makes sense. I was able to use some of the old holes and the screws.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by skiman

I seem to remember a door holder that folks use on Casitas that was a spring that bent in a "u" shape in the closed position. When you opened the door, the spring straightened out to a linear shape. Can't find it now. Hmmm?

John Schroeder did cabinet door springs on his Scamp 19. He has done many neat mods. I know he has eyed up Escapes, but hasn't taken the plunge.

Just Finding Our Way: Just Hold It

[skiman]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

John Schroeder did cabinet door springs on his Scamp 19. He has done many neat mods. I know he has eyed up Escapes, but hasn't taken the plunge.

Just Finding Our Way: Just Hold It

Exactly the same concept. Someone sells a commercial version. I tried West Marine, no luck. It is somewhere on one of the Casita forums. Or just do this homebrew version. This thread made me think of it. I was going to do one on my Casita, but sold it before I got there. May drive me crazy until I find it....

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by skiman

Exactly the same concept. Someone sells a commercial version. I tried West Marine, no luck. It is somewhere on one of the Casita forums. Or just do this homebrew version. This thread made me think of it. I was going to do one on my Casita, but sold it before I got there. May drive me crazy until I find it....

This one Carl? Found it on CasitaClub. Steve just said he bought it at a boat store, didn't mention West Marine

[cpaharley2008]

In my EggCamper I reversed all the o/h cabinets and put the hinges on the bottom, let gravity do its job and one more free hand is available. Just install some sort of latch to keep it shut or use spring hinges.

[Ralph & Paulette]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

I would be interested to know if the spring-loaded hinges pop the door open while the trailer is being towed. One good bump might do it. Or are they not under tension when the door is closed?

When the door is closed, the spring tension is actually holding the door closed. The tension changes from closed to open about half-way open.

[skiman]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

This one Carl? Found it on CasitaClub. Steve just said he bought it at a boat store, didn't mention West Marine

That's the one all right. Who did the post?

Thanks Donna.

[skiman]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

This one Carl? Found it on CasitaClub. Steve just said he bought it at a boat store, didn't mention West Marine

Aha! Found the post. It is called a hatch spring. West Marine has it as well as others and Amazon. They tend to be a bit long for that door over the microwave. Maybe buy one and cut it down if necessary.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by skiman

That's the one all right. Who did the post?

Thanks Donna.

It was posted by Steve LaBroad back in 2004!

[menemo]

I thought about this as I was reading the thread. I have what looks like a very similar support/strut on the galley hatch of my teardrop. I did a google search for lid hatch support spring and found some results for marine products. I also poked around at tnttt.com as it also can be a source for like information. I can tell you that I originally had some concerns about its durability, but it has worked very well. It takes some getting use to having to bend the spring before closing, but you do get accustomed to them.

Bob