Has anyone looked into or installed one of those large (approx. 22 inch
diameter) emergency / ventilation ceiling hatches, as used on school and
city buses?  I just did a quick Google search, and there seems to be a
variety of models, that are designed to open at the front, back, or
straight up.  I would think they would be readily available at wrecking
yards that junk buses, would have approx. 3-4 times the size / ventilation
of the original skylight, and be built to be very durable due to their
commercial / safety application?  Definitely not for the Vanagon Purist,
though!

On Wed, Feb 5, 2020 at 11:56 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:

> Yes,
>
> But thanks,  the lifter arms are way to fragile and the plastic itself.  I
> only raise during summer camping.
>
> Currently it is completely intact.  I’m just anticipating a future
> failure.  And, I like improvements that also maintain the form and function
> but maybe add some function and durability.
>
> I also like keeping thee weight down but still have strength.
>
> I have ideas just not the manufacturing skills to create them!
>
> Eric
>
>
> > On Feb 5, 2020, at 11:38 AM, ddbjorkman@verizon.net wrote:
> >
> > Hi Eric;
> > Are you aware that the skylight should not be open while driving.  That
> causes early failure.
> >
> > Dave B.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
> > To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Tue, Feb 4, 2020 3:08 pm
> > Subject: Re: Other Vanagon items I hope someone can create
> >
> > Hi tom,
> >
> > Not sure,
> >
> > My van arrived with an ok skylight but in a few months I realized I had
> a leak.  I replaced it with one purchased from Frank at Bus Fusion and that
> lasted about 5 year.  When the van came back from it’s first stay with
> Dennis over the winter he noticed something was leaking and when I got it
> home I found the skylight cracked along the hinge edge. So now have another
> from Vanagain but suspect it won’t last forever.  I got the single layer
> one and probably should have gotten the double but the double didn’t last
> the first time so I didn’t go for it.
> >
> > I keep the opening curtained but it blows down when driving.
> >
> > I am amazed you have the original.  You must be the only one!
> >
> > Eric Caron
> > 85 GL Auto
> >
> >
> >
> > > On Feb 4, 2020, at 1:37 PM, Tom Buese <tantonbz@GMAIL.COM <mailto:
> tantonbz@GMAIL.COM>> wrote:
> > >
> > > Eric, why are you going thru skylights? I still have my original 36
> year old one, which still works, but I replaced the rubber seals at the
> hinges which had died & started to leak. The lumber yard items were about
> 25 cents each.
> > >
> > > Sent from my iPad
> > >
> > >> On Feb 4, 2020, at 1:17 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net
> <mailto: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
>