Canopy mid position latch

rvpilot · #1 05-15-2006, 08:38 AM

I just had a request for the name of the supplier of my canopy latch. Thought I'd post it here as others may have an interest also.

Canopy going back!

Past latch block, canopy going back forward!

The latch now shown in the hold or locked position. To release you simply slide the canopy slightly forward until the cam clears the latch block, then slide to the rear. Very simple, one hand operation.
The fellow making these latches is Mike Zeller, 812/305-2568. They are $30.00. Give him a call, he sends the latch, you then send a check.

Kahuna · #2 05-15-2006, 11:43 AM

Having operated I think all possible rv-8 slider latch options, Including this one.... My vote is this one. Simple, elegant. Nothing to fiddle with, full proof. No springs, no latches, no pull gismos, no reaching. I mean it does not get any simpler than this AND its easiest to operate.

THanks Barefoot Billy for posting this up. Please put up the other pics you have as well so folks can see the operation. It can be confusing at first on how it operates.

Thanks again,

rvpilot · #3 05-15-2006, 01:05 PM

Done Kahana!

rv8ch · #4 05-15-2006, 01:25 PM

Ahh, now I get it. I installed mine, but I had trouble. This makes it clearer. I ended up lengthening the cam, like this:

What I should have done was to move the hook part up a bit. I tried to make it flush with the edge of the canopy rail. This is a very cool system.

chrispratt · #5 05-15-2006, 06:54 PM

I have one of these also. It took a couple of tries to get it properly positioned. It is "very" sensitive to the relationship between the free-rotating latch and the catch (hook). An eighth of an inch can make all the difference. I ended up having to cut another set of holes in the fixed catch (hook) to move it higher up on the rail. At that point I no longer needed the shim. It works fine, just needed a little tweaking. After all, not all RV canopies are finished the same (probably not even two are the same).

Very clever idea. Also I think quite safe as there is no way for it to jam in an emergency.

Chris

Harold Lanfear · #6 12-09-2006, 05:04 AM

After spending hours trying to design and build a simple latch to hold my -8 canopy open in the mid position; I vaguely remembered there was a previous design available. Since it is such a slick , simple design that works really well; I thought it was worth revisiting.

The guy making these is Mike Zeller and you can call him at (812) 305-2568. He'll mail you an extremely well-made latch with instruction and you send him back $30, includes postage. Very simple.

Before you install, read the earlier posts, they are helpful too. I 'test ran' my latch by holding it in place with spring clamps to make sure I had the proper height. I did have to put a thin washer under the cam post to allow it to move freely, but that was the only adjustment to the unit other than shimming to get the proper angle and spacing.

RobDob · #7 06-16-2010, 02:27 AM

Hi all

Does anyone have an e-mail address for Mike Zeller? I'm in the UK and would like to contact him about this retention block.

Many thanks

Rob

tomcostanza · #8 06-16-2010, 04:36 AM

Is the purpose of this to latch the canopy while flying with it partially open?

newtech · #9 06-16-2010, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobDob

Hi all

Does anyone have an e-mail address for Mike Zeller? I'm in the UK and would like to contact him about this retention block.

Many thanks

Rob

zeco67 (at) hotmail (dot) com

You know the usual drill, replace the (at) and (dot)

Ironflight · #10 06-16-2010, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomcostanza

Is the purpose of this to latch the canopy while flying with it partially open?

NOPE! (you must be a Grumman Yankee pilot!

)

It's there to hold the canopy where you can reach it from the front seat once you are all strapped in. Nothing more embarrassing than getting all ready to go in front of a crowd (at a fly-in), firing up, and then not being able to reach the dang canopy because it is all the way aft.....