Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2020 19:50:58 -0500
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Other Vanagon items I hope someone can create
In-Reply-To: <512163954.636051.1580862498432@mail.yahoo.com>
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HI rich,
You have the clasic VW creative solution drive that so many folks with the busses have. No leaks at the moment but I wanted a stronger solution for prevention.
Eric Caron
> On Feb 4, 2020, at 7:28 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>
> Tintop owner here. Realized right away that the best method for getting rid of hot air is to let it rise and vent. So, gritted my teeth, measured twice, and cut a big 14" by 14" hole in my roof! Crazy. But, have never regretted it. That vent, combined with homemade screens for the side windows, has always been a key enhancement for summertime Vanagon camping pleasure. Back in the day, at a local RV shop, was able to buy a vent, has a screen, has a knob to raise and lower aluminum sheet metal cover....all for about $17 I think it was. Had some of that "gooey" gasket stuff for perimeter; and I smartly used Stainless Steel sheet metal screws to secure. Even though the "fluffy" gasket material has long since disintegrated and vaporized, it still seals just fine after 34 years. Quiet while driving....but it is the first thing I open at the campsite....the side windows with screens are the second thing I open.
> So Eric, and admittedly knowing NOTHING about Westy skylights...it seems your leakage issues is one of two areas. Either some ingress at where the hinges are. Or, the molded acrylic panel itself. Here is an idea, although super crude: what about using some Deck-Cote material that you brush on? (Like what I just recently used from Home Depot to re-surface the upstairs deck in my condo?) These products are designed so that they flex with the hot and cold; not brittle; but gently flex between super hot and ice cold. Roofing material basically. With some good masking and good surface preparation and application, it just might work and last for a long, long time. As you said, you are not interested in letting light in (me neither); rather, I'm interested in letting hot humid air out and no rain ingress.
> Just an idea.
> Rich
> San Diego
>
>
>
> On Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 1:39:02 PM PST, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
> Eric,
>
> I know what you mean about the skylight. I too have thought about other ways, and eliminate the crank system n the process. Haven’t come up with anything yet.
>
> Alistair
>
>> On Feb 4, 2020, at 10:17 AM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Alistair and others.
>>
>> I’ve been wondering about a few improvements. And wonder if anyone has created such a thing.
>>
>> The first is, I like the sky light for the ventilation but don’t care about the light. OK, I’m blind so that is pretty understandable. But I also don’t like that it fails on a regular basis, cracks or leaks. But, more then that it lets in heat during camping season.
>>
>> I’d love a Aluminum replacement that is the same shape and then I just need a screen and no more sun shield fabric falling down, and no more cracked skylight.
>>
>> Only improvement would be for a simple up and down latch to replace the weak crank up system. But I can live with that.
>>
>> Of course a improved latch could also make it possible to open the skylight completely then folks have the option to look at the sky or to reach out and adjust, inspect, or clean things up on the roof.
>>
>> My van is on skylight number 3 in 7 years so I’m up for a solid improvement.
>>
>> Anything like that out there?
>>
>> Is that a reasonable metal fabrication?
>>
>> Eric Caron
>> 85 GL Auto
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