door closer doesn't function below 60 degrees

[sea-rover]

Hi,

I have a medium duty Universal door closer that I purchased from Home Depot. It is attached to a light steel gate 30" W by 72" H. It works fine when the temperature is above 60 degrees. I can adjust the "S" and "L" screws so the gate will close as quickly or slowly as I desire. But when the temperature falls below 60 degree the closer looses strength, especially in the last 10 degrees of closing, the "L" position. No matter how much I adjust the "L" and "S" screws, it just won't completely close.
What's going on with the cylinder oil and how can I get it to function properly. Thanks.

[GregsFence]

A universal door closer, sold in Home Depot. I keep trying to figure out what is universal door closer... Is it made of plastic? metal casing? Is it a spring with two large nuts on the ends?

I have to go to the Home depot web site to see what types of self closing hinges they have in stock. Once I see I may be able to help.

Have you tried contacting the manufacturer of the self closing hinge? I know they all pretty much would have their own 800 number to call.

Gregs Fence NJ

[GregsFence]

sea-rover,

Do you have a model number of the door closer? I have gone to the home depot website, all I have found with that description were door closers intended for actual doors, not gates. But I am sure I am looking at the wrong type of closer that you are referring to.

Please provide more information .. Thanks ,

Gregs Fence NJ

[lefty]

sea-rover,

Welcome to the forums.

Sounds to me like you are using an interior door closer on an exterior gate. You may have to rethink what you are doing.

Interior door closers are designed for INTERIOR applications. That's a controlled enviornment, without much temp. variation. They only have to be designed to function within a small temp. range, from about 60 to 80 degrees. Anything colder or warmer than that, and they will start functioning differently, which is what you are experiencing.

Replace it with a GATE closer. The most common is a coil spring that one end attaches to the post and the other to the gate panel. THAT won't be affected by temp. changes.