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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Dick & Sue on October 28, 2010, 09:38:19 am

Title: Bay Door Electric Lock VPA Actuator
Post by: Dick & Sue on October 28, 2010, 09:38:19 am
Has any one found a source for the bay door Actuator by VPA?
Our motor has failed in one of the bays. The nylon gear has a broken tab.
VPA stopped production for this actuator 3 years ago and the replacement requires a lot of rework, per them.
Foretravel parts wants $79. VPA price was $21.53 when they had them in stock. Haven't found any at the RV Surplus stores around Elkart in the last few visits.

Dick & Sue
'99 U320 36'
"07 Escape
Title: Re: Bay Door Electric Lock VPA Actuator
Post by: Barry Beam on October 28, 2010, 10:09:59 am
Has any one found a source for the bay door Actuator by VPA?
Is this it?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VIA-80172/?image=large (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VIA-80172/?image=large)
Check this thread also
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=8114.msg35545#msg35545 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=8114.msg35545#msg35545)
Title: Re: Bay Door Electric Lock VPA Actuator
Post by: Dick & Sue on October 28, 2010, 10:23:15 am
Quote
Is this it? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VIA-80172/?image=large (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VIA-80172/?image=large)

That's the one, but no longer available from summit racing.
Title: Re: Bay Door Electric Lock VPA Actuator
Post by: Dave Katsuki on October 29, 2010, 02:04:11 am
I used the MES actuator that Barry references on his site:

http://www.a1electric.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AEOS&Product_Code=W15F (http://www.a1electric.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AEOS&Product_Code=W15F)

It required some rework of the mounting (drilling different holes, bending the actuator rod) but has been fine so far.  This one will not fit the front door application, so when my front door actuator failed, I removed one of the original ones from a bay door to use in the front door, and then refitted  the bay door with the MES one.
Title: Re: Bay Door Electric Lock VPA Actuator
Post by: Dick & Sue on October 29, 2010, 12:03:08 pm
Thanks for the info. I just order 2 replacement from MES
My originals are double sided taped onto the door panel. The new one will be screwed on.

And thank you Barry for the info on your web page. That helped me decide to go with the MES replacement.
In my previous life, I had some experience in the auto fab business, so this should be a no "brainer".

Dick



Title: Re: Bay Door Electric Lock VPA Actuator
Post by: Ron & Connie Sedgley on October 30, 2010, 06:00:58 am
This is a timely (for me) subject.  I just had a bay door actuator decide not to actuate (see attached picture). Do I understand correctly that these are no longer available for replacement from FOT or Summit Racing and the Single MES Power Door lock Actuator  can be used? 

Getting in position to work on these is a bit exciting , too.  I had to just about stand on my head to get a picture of mine.
Title: Re: Bay Door Electric Lock VPA Actuator
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on October 30, 2010, 08:40:12 am
My larger concern would be if it were locked and failed, unable to open.
So any great ideas of getting in where you can not crawl across from other side ?
See it as big issue or am I missing something ?
Thanks
Dave
Title: Re: Bay Door Electric Lock VPA Actuator
Post by: Barry Beam on October 30, 2010, 08:43:13 am
Quote
My larger concern would be if it were locked and failed, unable to open.
So any great ideas of getting in where you can not crawl across from other side ?

unlocking_stuck_bay_door_lock (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=6422.0)
Title: Re: Bay Door Electric Lock VPA Actuator
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on October 30, 2010, 09:21:35 am
Hope I can remember this Barry when & if I need it.
Many thanks
Dave
Title: Re: Bay Door Electric Lock VPA Actuator
Post by: Dick & Sue on November 11, 2010, 05:13:12 pm
Just installed the new MES actuator in the bay door yesterday. The hardest part was climbing under the door to measure for each link bend point.
MES was very prompt in delivery. I ordered a spare just in case another actuator goes south.

Thanks again for all the help on this board.

dick