Topic: Magnetic vent returns removed in 2018? (Read 910 times) previous topic - next topic

I was at a dealership this past weekend and noticed that the return vents (the ones with the filters you need to clean from time to time) are no longer held up with magnets?

I remember that was one of the 2017 improvements, and it seemed like a really good idea to make the filter service a tool less operation, but the 2018 45B that I looked at had those returned mounted with screws?

Just wondering if this is permanent change and if so why, or do they maybe have a running change to add in another version?

I remember looking at some 2017's around this time last year, and did see several of those vent covers either missing or sitting on a nearby counter top.  The ones on the counters had the magnets missing,  with only a volcano top of glue remaining on the vent covers.

I assumed that was from people trying them out and pulling to hard or some early manufacturing mistake.

Since they are gone now, I'd guess it must have been a headache for Entegra so they dropped it for 2018.  Still need a better solution  IMO.

Sounds like they used the wrong glue or did not do any surface prep to the magnets.  The ones I saw appeared to be nickel-plated (shiny) rare earth magnets.  Seems like you need to roughen the surface to allow epoxy to properly bond, at least according to these guys. https://www.kjmagnetics.com/blog.asp?p=sticky-business-how-to-glue-neodymum-magnets

Then again using glue seems more like something you would do as a retrofit, or backup support.  Surprised they did not try a ring magnet with a rivet or some other mechanical bond.  Probably a good idea that was rushed into production.