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sky light replacement question

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
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #1
Shower Skylight Rebuild

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #2
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.

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #3
Thanks Chuck for the link. I read that  before downloading the site from Barry. Always helpful insights from your posts.

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #4
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
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #5
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.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #6
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
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #7
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

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #8
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
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #9
...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
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #10
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.

Frank & Connie Williams
1999 U320 '36
Build: 5466
MC: 18335

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #11
I  would like the advice from the collective......
Larry
We are Borg....?
Tim Dianics
Pam Sapienza
Vader PupZilla Labrador Canine Beast (AKA Pup)
Columbia, MO
1996 U320 4000
2021 Jeep Gladiator, Diesel

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #12
Yes, all FT knowledge is assimilated into the collective. Resistance is futile (once you've been here a while.)

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #13
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
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #14
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.
Frank & Connie Williams
1999 U320 '36
Build: 5466
MC: 18335

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #15
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


Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #17
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. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #18
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.  :'(
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #19
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.
Woody & Sandy Lloyd
1993 Grand Villa
Unihome U280
Cummins / Allison
Build # 4379

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #20
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?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: sky light replacement question

Reply #21
I used the Lowe's skylight recycling the base. Didn't take long. No leaks and I have been in some rain with it.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired