How to add magnets to hold a screen door with self-closer?

[Noyade]

We had an OT (Occupational Therapist) assess our house and address issues where my wife, Julie, is struggling.

One area which we examined was screen doors with pneumatic closers - they tend to 'catch' her when she is entering/exiting.

The OT proposed magnetic devices (Maybe These? ) from the ceiling. On the ground they would be tripping hazards.

Would these magnets hold a screen door with a self-closer?

Any thoughts/suggestions welcome.

Cheers.

Hopefully off to Bunnings today to look.

[twocutekelpies]

@Noyade are you wanting to hold the door open or can you get away with making it close more slowly? I believe most pneumatic door closers are adjustable to slow the speed that the door closes. If wanting to hold the door open, I'd remove the closer all-together and rely on manually closing the door as required or engaging the lock on it to hold it open (slide the clip along the arm of the closer) and slide it back to close.

Hope this helps

Shelley

[Noyade]

G'day @twocutekelpies 

"are you wanting to hold the door open"

Yes. One issue then raised was how does Julie 'release' the magnet once inside. Outside may be easier.

"I'd remove the closer all-together and rely on manually closing the door"

Wind, flies and mozzies are the issues Shelly. 

"(slide the clip along the arm of the closer)"

This is physically impossible for Julie. I'm not always home.

But keep those ideas coming. 👍

[MitchellMc]

It sounds like the OT’s idea definitely has merit, @Noyade, and you are clearly thinking along the right lines by trying to remove anything that could catch Julie or create a trip hazard. A magnetic hold-open system can work with a pneumatic closer, but the key question is whether the magnet is strong enough to overcome the pulling force of the closer. Many standard magnetic door stops are designed for internal doors without closers, so with a screen door closer fitted, it can be a bit hit and miss unless you use something with sufficient holding force. The advantage of your ceiling-mounted magnet idea is that you could potentially add or upgrade magnets until you reach a strength that reliably holds the door open, which gives you some flexibility.

One thing worth thinking through carefully is what happens after the door is held open. Holding it open solves the problem of the door catching her, but Julie will still need an easy and safe way to close it again. If the magnet is overhead and fairly strong, she may need to step back outside to pull the door free, which could defeat the purpose. One possible workaround is adding a simple pull cord or strap to the door handle that runs back to the inside, so she can release the door from the magnet and let it close without having to reposition herself.

Another option that may be simpler is looking at adjustable or soft-close door closers. Some closers allow you to significantly slow the closing speed, so the door still self-closes but does so gently and predictably, which may be enough to remove the risk of it catching her. 

Overall, you are absolutely on the right track, and it is great that you are looking at practical, thoughtful changes to make daily movement easier and safer for Julie. A visit to Bunnings to look at magnetic door stops and adjustable closers side by side is a good next step, and you may find a combination of a softer closer and a magnetic hold open gives you the best balance.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Noyade]

Thanks for your thoughts @MitchellMc.

Back from Bunnings  - I'm sure I looked a right idiot in the aisle testing the 'magnetic forces' within plastic packets and against the steel shelving.

I bought a few - but just now tried the Adoored style.

Impressive holding power.

I fitted the magnet as an experiment - I'm holding the door open against the self closer, with ease.

But I'll see what happens when I go with the top of the door against the 'stalactite' ceiling holder.

(Tip : if you buy one of these - no instructions - but you need a large flat screwdriver to undo the base)

Cheers. I'll document my progress.

[AlanM52]

G'day mate,

If you are interested I should be able to design a voice activated Alexa/Smart Life system 'Alexa... Open screen door' using a wi-fi servo actuator with  smart buttons on either side of the door for manual control. The system is also controlled by the phone app. The servo unit has a fail-safe pull ring to mechanically disengage the clutch mechanism in case of system malfunction including power outage. Oh... no electrician required 🙂

Cheers

[Noyade]

Sounds wonderful Alan! 

Julie lost her job - our income halved. 

Strict, strict budget.

I've spent around $15 so far. I already have the steel for my proposed design.

I'd like to see your cost break down for the above - please. 😁

[AlanM52]

The tight budget is a tough call but at this early stage I think we can do it.
No need for a cost breakdown the only item purchase is the servo unit about $40 plus materials and I am assuming a DIY guy like you will have stuff like that around the place and you should be able to use the metal plate for the servo baseplate.

To help you start planning...

Here is the servo unit in action controlling the feed cover on my wi-fi bird feeder.

Imagine that mounted in a similar way like a pneumatic door closer.

Question: How come you have such artistic sketching skills!

I'll be back with more info and wi-fi home network requirements.

Cheers

[Noyade]

Have you ever seen the animated movie Chicken Run ?

They (your chickens) are probably learning English - "Hey Alexa, open the fence gate and let us out!"

"I'll be back with more info"

Please do @AlanM52 

Quick question. Unless the door hinge (fulcrum A) and the servo (fulcrum B) are the in the same vertical plane - isn't the servo just gonna try tearing the door off?

I like your video - you sound like John Lennon. 😁

[AlanM52]

I need to watch it again because the first time I fell asleep 😑

Correct and that's what we need to come up with like a sliding connection.