Hi. With Ryobi door closers, when adjusting the closing or latching valves counter clockwise to speed up the closing motion, if the valve is turned too far will the hydraulic fluid leak out?
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Matthew3. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about the Ryobi door closer.
Is leaking hydraulic fluid an issue you are having or one that you are anticipating? Under normal adjustment, there should not be any fluid leaking from the unit. If you are experiencing fluid leaking, it would likely be due to the screw being forced past the maximum point on the speed adjustment or a faulty unit. You should be able to turn the screws counter-clockwise to the maximum speed setting without issue.
I look forward to hearing more and answering any questions you might have.
Mitchell
Thanks Mitchell. No leaking now. I was concerned that, since I don't know how far counterclockwise the screws are now, if I turned one farther counterclockwise it might go too far and leak. I also got replies from Ryobi Australia online support who said if a screw starts at the completely closed clockwise position, then can turn it up to 7 full turns counterclockwise without leaking. Also, from the same query Ryobi Japan emailed and said as long the screw isn't turned so far counterclockwise to where the screw head is raised above the surrounding metal plate of the door closer, then it won't leak. I guess this is what you're also saying?
It's great to hear you've successfully adjusted the door closer, @Matthew3. That's more-or-less what I was trying to convey.
Thanks for the update.
Hi Mitch
I just installed the D1200 Ryobi door closer. It works fine but you need to be a body builder to open it. The spring tension is rediculous and almost beyond my wifes capabilities given that she has arthritis in her hands.
Some of the other models have a spring tension adjustment but not the D1200 which was obviously designed for fire doors or perhaps goal cell doors.
I am tempted to pull the thing apart and tinker.
Can you help me?
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @GeoffC. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about the Ryobi D1200 door closer.
Sorry to hear the closer is giving you issues.
That's a commercial-grade unit designed for doors weighing between 30 and 65kg. It also doesn't have the ability to be opened quickly; it must be done reasonably slowly. Is there any particular position where your wife is struggling to open the door? For example, is it the first 15 degrees or beyond 90 degrees? Or is it just difficult, no matter the position? There are some adjustments on that closer, but they deal with latching and back check. So, if she struggles to open the door, the latching tension could be set too high.
You'll also want to check that the mechanism is fixed in the correct position and that the forearm is adjusted so it sits perpendicular to the door when closed.
If this appears to be a case that the closer is just too powerful for your circumstance and your door weighs less than 30kg, then I'd recommend swapping the current closer out for the Ryobi Lightweight Door Closer.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks Mitchell
My wife has most trouble with the first 15 degrees. I did experiment with the adjustments but they didn't have a significant effect on the tension only caused the door to slam. I think I simply have the wrong closer for the door. It seems too late to return it now the packaging is damaged.
Hi @GeoffC,
I'm currently in the process of determining whether the opening resistance you're experiencing is to be expected with this product. Could you please verify that the closer was positioned per the diagram below? If it was positioned further away from the hinge, then this could be causing the opening resistance.
If the closer was positioned per instruction, I see no reason for an average person to experience difficulties opening the door. I also have concerns about your wife's ability to open the door. Due to safety concerns, doors should be easily openable. Please bear with me while I investigate, and if the product is not fit for purpose, I'll happily organise a return on it for you.
Many thanks for your patience @GeoffC.
I've been able to establish that the commercial closer you've installed can be difficult to open as it's designed to close doors up to 65kg. I suggest you look at the Ryobi Black Light Duty Domestic Door Closer, as it will be far easier to open.
I'll reach out via private message for further details so I can facilitate the return of your current closer.
Hi Mitchell
I believe the install is correct but please check the attached photos
Geoff
I think that's close enough to say that it wouldn't be causing the door to be hard to open @GeoffC. The Ryobi technical assistant indicated that the commercial-grade door openers require a reasonable amount of strength to open and that you'd be much better off with the light-duty version.
Thanks for those details via PM; I'll be in touch again shortly.
Hi Mitchell,
I have a Ryobi 2550 series door closer and of recent times the elbow joint of the main and forearm has begun catching on the top of the door as it passes under the closer. How can I adjust the arms to travel higher above the door.
TerryC
Hello @TerryC
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thanks for joining the discussion.
In order for our members to get a better idea of the malfunction, would it be possible for you to post a photo of the door closer and where it is catching.
There are a few points of adjustment on the arm and where the arm is mounted itself. I suggest doing a preliminary investigation and see if any of the arm mounts have come loose. The only other thing that would cause the door return from going out of alignment is the door itself. I suggest inspecting the door hinges if they've come loose.
If you need a hand posting the photos, please let me know.
Eric
G'day Eric,
As suggested I have checked the mounting points for the closer and the door hinges and all is okay.
When the door is shut and the opener is at rest the arms can be moved vertically 15mm, but when the door is hard open there is no vetical movement at all.
In the photo that shows the elbow positioned above the door you can just see the black line left by the elbow rubbing across the door.
The arm doesn't hit the door all the time - it seems to come in patches. At the moment there is clearance and the arm is not rubbing on the door.
Hi @TerryC
Thanks for the photos and additional information about your door closer. This occasional looseness tells me that there is a part of the door return that has slightly come undone. I propose doing a thorough check, grab a ladder and look at the top of the elbow and see if this a pressed fitting or an Allen key screw. If it is, try to tighten this part first.
Next, check the main pivot point near the main body of the mechanism. The holding screw might have some loose and is allowing the arm to lift causing the elbow to dip. Again, try to re-tighten this part.
If the parts I mentioned are secure, the last adjustment you can make is on the threaded arm itself. Remove the two mounting screws on the little foot mounted on the door frame and Loosen the locking nut. Turn the threaded arm once counter clockwise, once you've turned the threaded arm, screw the little foot back onto the door frame and re-tighten the locking nut.
Test the door to make sure that it still works properly.
Please take all necessary care when using a step ladder and working at height. Inform all your household members that you'll be working on the door to prevent mishaps.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Hello! I signed up to ask about adjusting this door closer as it is WAY too hard to open. But I see you have answered that question for Geoff C. When I asked for advice I was told my front door (wood frame with glass) would be 60-80kg- but it seems this is probably not the case. Wondering if there’s any chance of a refund like Geoff (or a swap for a lighter one). Also- if you can advise a door closer that might do the job- our frames aren’t flush with the door which is making installation annoying.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @meg4. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about door closers.
If the product is not fit for purpose and you're struggling to open the door, then I would recommend you return it to the store of purchase. I'm sure they'll be happy to return it for you in exchange for a more suitable product. As recommended above, the Ryobi Black Light Duty Domestic Door Closer would be a better option than the commercial version.
I don't believe the frame not being flush will inhibit you from installing the closer. If you are struggling to do so, you might need to use a timber block spacer on the door to bring it flush with the frame.
Please let me know if you have any difficulties returning your product or have questions.
I just bought this myself as we have a side door our dog enters the house by pushing it open with his nose, but he hasn’t learnt to close it yet. So this was perfect, allowing him to come and the door close behind him. But like others, I just installed but the D1200 is far too strong to allow h ti push thru anymore. The reason I went this instead of the light duty is that we can do the parallel arm application, we can only do the standard application on our door. The light duty doesn’t look like it can be configured in the standard application format, only the parallel arm format. Is this correct? And if so, is there any other options for light doors? Will a normal screen door shutter work as it is a wooden door but not overly heavy door. Thanks
Mark
Hello @summitone77
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us.
You are correct, the Ryobi Medium Duty Commercial Closer can do both parallel and standard door installation. The Ryobi Black Light Duty Domestic Door Closer can only do parallel. Another option you can look at is the Ryobi Silver Heavy Duty Commercial Door Closer. Although it is rated for commercial use it can be adjusted to operate all the way down to 30kg. A normal screen door shutter should work on the condition that it is a very light door.
Thanks Eric
Do these heavy duty units have any known issues around being too heavy to open , like the medium duty units? I read the description of the heavy duty model and it says the back check can be adjusted to ease the force needed to open the door, but the medium unit has that same back check, and it didn’t make any difference to the force required to open. thanks
Hi @summitone77,
As the heavy-duty units are designed for use in commercial applications, such as fire doors, they are going to be heavy to open and your pup would almost certainly struggle.
Of the options from Ryobi, the Ryobi Light Duty Domestic Door Closer does seem to be the best for your application. If the door is under 25kg, then this Rolltrak White Automatic Door Closer seems like it could work for you.
Is there a specific reason you can't use the parallel arm installation format?
Would it be possible to alter the door frame to allow this type of installation?
Some photos of the door would certainly help us offer a solution.
Let me know if you need a hand uploading images, I'm happy to help if required.
Jacob
So this is medium unit i attached (arm removed so dog can use the door still). It is an older house and very tight, with no much room between door and frame, as well as at the front with the screen door attached. It is a shame cause the unit does exactly what I want with closing the door but he now can’t open it to get in, and he is 35kg. thanks
Would taking the door off and planing a few millimetres off the top of the door be an option you'd consider?
You could use a hand plane to do it. This should allow you to install the light-duty closer.
Having now seen the door, the Rolltrak White Automatic Door Closer looks like it could be a great option if you didn't want to alter the door.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks. Planing not an option, but may have to do it. I looked at that other door closer but the reviews have scared me off them to be honest.
