Wind got up and blew my top

[EarthDemon]

That storm with a stupid name in early December did for my skylight. It wasn’t in the fully locked position and the wind got underneath it resulting in the cable being stretched and then it was impossible to lock in place (turn the handle and it just goes round and round). Would be impossible to go more than 50mph and it was leaking so garage made it good but it’s permanently sealed now. Fine for now but will need it in the summer.

My usual garage says it needs a new skylight - they are £1100. Plus labour. Plus VAT.

They reckon you can’t fix the cable without busting the plastic and then you’d be buggered.

I would have thought a skylight is a standard bit of kit but my trusty van is a Knauss so garage goes to them in Germany and they can charge what they like.

I’ve had some good recomendations on this forum (like Auto Elec in Devizes - he doesn’t do skylights) so thought I would ask if anyone has any ideas…

 

[AllanD]

Is it a Remis wind up roof window? If so I'm fairly sure there are repair kits and instruction available (or at least there used to be).

 

[Pauljenny]

O' Leary in Beverly are worth contacting.

 

[trevskoda]

The roof lights in factory vans is pure sh one t, if you could get your hands on a bus type and cut the roof to fit it will be a better job by miles, they can open any end up or both up same time, they are bomb proof.

 

[maingate]

There are parts for these rooflights available which will probably be Seitz. Try the Leisure Spares website as they have diagrams for various models and you can pickk the bits you need.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

A few pictures to identify it would be useful or the make and model if you already know it, and the dimensions too for a replacement.

 

[EarthDemon]

A few pictures to identify it would be useful or the make and model if you already know it, and the dimensions too for a replacement.

Good idea - will do as soon as i get it back - currently in for engine light due to emissions filter or something - thanks to all

 

[TJBi]

The roof lights in factory vans is pure sh one t, if you could get your hands on a bus type and cut the roof to fit it will be a better job by miles, they can open any end up or both up same time, they are bomb proof.

And you may even speak from experience.

 

[wildebus]

That storm with a stupid name in early December did for my skylight. It wasn’t in the fully locked position and the wind got underneath it resulting in the cable being stretched and then it was impossible to lock in place (turn the handle and it just goes round and round). Would be impossible to go more than 50mph and it was leaking so garage made it good but it’s permanently sealed now. Fine for now but will need it in the summer.

My usual garage says it needs a new skylight - they are £1100. Plus labour. Plus VAT.

They reckon you can’t fix the cable without busting the plastic and then you’d be buggered.

If their solution is to replace the entire skylight, you have nothing to lose by trying to replace the cable do you? I am sure people have replaced the cable on these.

I would say the price you should be expecting to pay would be around half that quoted by your garage.

I would have thought a skylight is a standard bit of kit but my trusty van is a Knauss so garage goes to them in Germany and they can charge what they like.

There are ones with windy handles like you have (and I have as well), but there are also ones that are simple push-up ones with the same dimensions that could be used and I think are a fair bit cheaper. (I think if I had to replace mine, that is the route I would take).

I’ve had some good recomendations on this forum (like Auto Elec in Devizes - he doesn’t do skylights) so thought I would ask if anyone has any ideas…

 

[Nabsim]

Size is the thing, smaller standard size ones you get a fair choice of make and prices. Get on some of the bigger or less normal sizes and they can be very expensive

Need pics and sizes really

 

[Boris7]

O' Leary in Beverly are worth contacting.

Hims right, they aint hard to change either. had one fly off and popped into screwfix got some marine ply and CLS and some screws continued the trip. Got home O'learys had delivered a new one took less that an hour to swop it out.

 

[wildebus]

Size is the thing, smaller standard size ones you get a fair choice of make and prices. Get on some of the bigger or less normal sizes and they can be very expensive

Need pics and sizes really

I was basing my thoughts and costs of the same one I have - around 1 metre x 650cm - and the Dometic/Heiki Rooflight. don't get much larger.

 

[molly 2]

My remis wind up got destroyed in a storm £600 plus £180 fitting 3 years ago , in winter I secure down with gorilla tape inside .

 

[wildebus]

My remis wind up got destroyed in a storm £600 plus £180 fitting 3 years ago , in winter I secure down with gorilla tape inside .

Where do you attach the tape inside? above the frame? This thread is making me semi-paranoid about my wind-up rooflights! (Where I live it is pretty windy even without any storms!)

 

[Nabsim]

Where do you attach the tape inside? above the frame? This thread is making me semi-paranoid about my wind-up rooflights! (Where I live it is pretty windy even without any storms!)

My biggest is a wind up and/or push up. Its 18 years old now so don't worry too much

 

[molly 2]

Where do you attach the tape inside? above the frame? This thread is making me semi-paranoid about my wind-up rooflights! (Where I live it is pretty windy even without any storms!)

On the clear plastic top to the plastic frame 6 strips about 4 inches long , you are right get paranoid I was told 3 months wait if I paid up front no guarantee, the lifting mechanism is available if the light is sound the heki is slightly larger so the roof hole would have to be enlarged and new wood frames made

 

[Pudsey Bear]

The hardest part of fitting I found on a Heki was the correct clamping blocks which are dependent on the roof thickness, they are colour coded.

This may be useful if it's a Heki 2

https://www.dometic.com/externalassets/dometic-heki-2_9104100235_72557.pdf?ref=1499840892.

Other model here, click on the right one for you and the instructions are there.

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