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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: ohsonew on August 11, 2020, 02:34:15 pm

Title: sky light replacement question
Post by: ohsonew on August 11, 2020, 02:34:15 pm
I have ordered and received a new shower skylight from the mothership. It consists of 2 domes. One clear, one smoked. I've downloaded the article from Barry's site on how to replace the skylight. The new one has some double sided tape on the interior dome to attach it to the outer dome. In Barry's write up, there is no mention of the tape. It will NOT seal the two domes together. I would like the advice from the collective whether to remove the double sided tape and just use silicone or leave the tape there and still use silicone fro sealing the two together. The only advantage I see to the tape is that it will provide spacing. Not sure how important that is or if the space is correct for the outer frame to hold without modifications.

thanks in advance,
Larry
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on August 11, 2020, 06:08:26 pm
Shower Skylight Rebuild (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=34769.msg322094#msg322094)

Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: Barry & Cindy on August 11, 2020, 08:07:04 pm
Larry, I cannot fully visualize, but think we want to seal the two so there is a captive air space.  Not sure about spacing, but assume you put things temporarily together without sealant, you may know more about fitments.
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: ohsonew on August 12, 2020, 06:48:34 am
Thanks Chuck for the link. I read that  before downloading the site from Barry. Always helpful insights from your posts.

Larry
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: ohsonew on August 12, 2020, 06:50:32 am
Barry, I hope to be able to check the spacing on the existing dome in the next few days. Between the coach being at storage and all the pop up storms we are getting this week, I don't want to open the roof to unexpected water. I hope to bring the coach to the house in the next few days.

Larry
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: nitehawk on August 12, 2020, 08:06:29 am
Larry, flip the aluminum retainer upside down when you get it off.
Look at the four corner welds for high spots.
If there are any, remove them with a file or rasp.
Leftover weld tits on each corner weld caused our skylight to leak because they broke the corners off the skylight after time and I had a heck of a time finding why the skylight leaked.
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: ohsonew on August 12, 2020, 08:49:18 am
Thanks for the reminder. I remember your mentioning it in the skylight post (now that you remind me). I probably wouldn't have remembered it when working on the skylight.

Larry
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: dsd on August 12, 2020, 09:35:39 am
Nitehawk thanks for the insight on the corners. Mine has a weird crack out of the corner and that would explain that.
Larry what was the current cost on parts and shipping? How much lead time will I need? Just curious? Will definitely add to the list.
Thanks Scott
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: ohsonew on August 12, 2020, 11:37:20 am
dsd, I ordered the parts on Thursday afternoon and received them on Monday. The list cost for the skylight is $146.25 minus Motorcade discount of $14.63 for a total of $131.62. There was no sales tax and no shipping cost.

Larry
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on August 12, 2020, 12:00:45 pm
...current cost on parts and shipping?
Another possible source for replacement skylights is Lowe's.  Search for item #227698.  Availability can be a bit spotty - some stores have them in stock and some don't.  I installed these two years ago, and they are (so far) holding up well to our brutal West TX sun.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Skyview-Fixed-Impact-Skylight-Actual-26-in-x-26-in/3455156
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: Phranko on August 12, 2020, 01:25:51 pm
Another possible source for replacement skylights is Lowe's.  Search for item #227698.  Availability can be a bit spotty - some stores have them in stock and some don't.  I installed these two years ago, and they are (so far) holding up well to our brutal West TX sun.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Skyview-Fixed-Impact-Skylight-Actual-26-in-x-26-in/3455156

Ours came in last week, ordered from Lowes (online), same part number (227689).
Took about 2 weeks, packaged nicely.
$126.85 with tax.

Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: TGordon on August 12, 2020, 06:22:19 pm
I  would like the advice from the collective......
Larry
We are Borg....?
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: ohsonew on August 12, 2020, 06:25:53 pm
Yes, all FT knowledge is assimilated into the collective. Resistance is futile (once you've been here a while.)

Larry
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: ohsonew on August 13, 2020, 01:28:40 pm
Update to reply #8 on the cost. I just received a receipt fro FT in the mail today. They added $51.47 in shipping. OUCH!

Larry
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: Phranko on August 13, 2020, 01:55:59 pm
Ours came in last week, ordered from Lowes (online), same part number (227689).
Took about 2 weeks, packaged nicely.
$126.85 with tax.


Ordered online, store pick up, they bring it out and load it, didn't have to get out of the car.
No shipping charges.

Also, the estreetplatics.com part number "2447 White" for the inner liner is still good.
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: dsd on August 13, 2020, 11:47:09 pm
They added $51.47 in shipping? That really should of been mentioned prior to shipping. Add on charges after the fact are just plan wrong.
Scott
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: Running Odometer on August 14, 2020, 09:50:24 am
Just want to add another data point.

I just replaced my cracked skylight. You can see it here (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=39545.msg399012#msg399012)

I ordered the skylight from Skylight Depot: Replacement skylight domes, and full skylights (https://www.skylightdepot.com/)

Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: Jerry Whiteaker on August 14, 2020, 11:54:33 am
One problem with the skylight that FT used is that it is made to be installed on a flat surface and it is installed on a curved surface.  Trying to apply enough pressure to the screws to pull it down to the roof on the fore and aft edges is not possible and will either strip the screw threads in the roof or lift the top fiberglass layer of the roof.  About all you can do is apply enough caulk to fill the gaps and not over tighten the screws. 
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on August 14, 2020, 11:58:20 am
One problem with the skylight that FT used is that it is made to be installed on a flat surface and it is installed on a curved surface. 
True, unless you are "lucky" enough to own a GV with a flat roof.  8)

Of course, flat roofs also have some inherent disadvantages.  :'(
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: Mike_Sandra_Lloyd on August 16, 2020, 08:19:44 pm
We recently had a small leak from the shower skylight after considerable rain and some standing water on the roof held in place by the caulking. I cleaned it all off (it was the self-leveling caulk used in some concrete seams), and removed all teh screws. Some were rusted to the point that the treads near the top had disappeared. This translates as a long-standing moisture problem in this area since the plywood between the very thin sheets of plastic that make up the ceiling sandwich. (Yes, I know that this area needs more concentrated work and a rethink about a proper skylight curb). Anyway... our two-part skylight was bonded one to the other, with what appeared to be the usual solvent for plastic. I believe that the bond between the two parts was something not to be messed with (since I am settled into a long-term campground and not near suppliers). The one feature I appreciated was that there is a black rubber grommet about 3/8" in diameter with a hole in the center. I take it that this is a vent to equalize pressure between the two parts of the skylight assembly. I cleaned the skylight and its bedding place on the roof, laid down a line of new self-leveling caulk, then screwed it back in place with #10 stainless screws instead of the #8s that were there previously. That was topped off with the remainder of the self-leveling caulk and I am good to go....perhaps even after monsoon season arrives here on the Pacific North West.
I added this post because i wanted to highlight the possible benefit of NOT having a perfectly tight joint between the two parts of the skylight.
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on August 16, 2020, 08:47:46 pm
The one feature I appreciated was that there is a black rubber grommet about 3/8" in diameter with a hole in the center. I take it that this is a vent to equalize pressure between the two parts of the skylight assembly.
I added this post because i wanted to highlight the possible benefit of NOT having a perfectly tight joint between the two parts of the skylight.
Just curious - what do you imagine would be the result of not having the "vent" between the two pieces?
Title: Re: sky light replacement question
Post by: Journey, Roam, Explore on August 17, 2020, 08:02:22 pm
I used the Lowe's skylight recycling the base. Didn't take long. No leaks and I have been in some rain with it.