pop top roof latches (viking)

[roswald]

I am currently looking for a new/ used exterior latch/clamp for my viking pop top.
It just wont sit flush with only the front latch working....
does any one still make these?

Alternatively does anyone have a seconf hand one they could sell?
I think the devon conversion has a similar latch which would probably do the trick!
Cheers, ross

[Steve P]

There's two of us on here trying to source some at the moment. There's a techie thread started by Emma, she might be able to get you some made up.

Bev

[moloko]

Try these guys http://www.protex.com/

[Tex Ritter]

Try these guys http://www.protex.com/

What an interesting site that is.

[ermie571]

Looked at the protex ones....still not sure they would work.

Waiting on my fabricator to come back to me!

Have you got any of the catch left?

Em
x

[Tex Ritter]

There are at least 2 catches (one of them being on the right hand side 3rd one down) shown in the opening picture on that site that should work very well IMO. Whilst they are not exactly like the ones fitted to my pop top, they are as near damn it.

[ermie571]

Tex,
maybe you are right.....but this is how I see it. These latches fix flat (ie they are made to join two surfaces that butt up flat to each other. My roof sits in the gutter, so the catch has to go proud of the gutter.

The original catch is quite tall, to allow the pin that holds the hook to be proud of the roof enough to allow the hook to bypass the edge of the gutter, and catch the metal hook just below. I am not convinced that any of the protex catches have this necessary height. In addition, the hook in the viking catch is not only adjustable up/down, it can be rotated on the inner pin....thus allowing the catch to be fully shut, by the hook may not be completely parallel whith the catch. I think this is how the catch is able to avoid catching the gutter.

Happy to be proved wrong though

[Tex Ritter]

Tex,
maybe you are right.....but this is how I see it. These latches fix flat (ie they are made to join two surfaces that butt up flat to each other. My roof sits in the gutter, so the catch has to go proud of the gutter.

The original catch is quite tall, to allow the pin that holds the hook to be proud of the roof enough to allow the hook to bypass the edge of the gutter, and catch the metal hook just below. I am not convinced that any of the protex catches have this necessary height. In addition, the hook in the viking catch is not only adjustable up/down, it can be rotated on the inner pin....thus allowing the catch to be fully shut, by the hook may not be completely parallel whith the catch. I think this is how the catch is able to avoid catching the gutter.

Happy to be proved wrong though

My roof also sits in the gutter, the catch sits proud of and bridges the gutter profile. The catch is an 'overcentre' model like in the picture.

If you need to see mine send me your email address and I'll send you a picture.

TR

[ermie571]

Thanks Tex....if my welder chap can't help, I will be after you for a picture!!

Thanks again

Em
x

[roswald]

thanks very much for all your help, i'll check out that link..
looks like my roof may sit flush again after all!