Ouch!

Not the direction I wanted to go!

I’m a semi purist.

Eric Caron 

> On Feb 6, 2020, at 4:05 AM, Cary Chiang <ccchiang1@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
>  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 <mailto: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> <mailto:
>> 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>
>> <mailto: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