Remis Vario 2 900mm x 600mm Rooflight query

[Gaz n Debs]

We have recently upgraded our MH to a Bavaria I740 that unbeknown to us had an issue with the Rooflight winding mechanism - looking on this forum and other websites it appears that this wormdrive cable winding arrangement is notorious for snarling up and turn turning itself into a snakes wedding. I managed to find a replacement winding mechanism online (£90!!) and fitted it yesterday, only for it to wind close with no issues and then upon opening exactly the same issue I had with the previous one has happened with this one - it appears that the outer sheath or pipe (or whatever it's called) that the drive wire runs through, is not clamped tight enough within the gearbox assembly and basically it gets pushed out of the box and the drive wire just coils itself up both within the gearbox and outside of it.
Anyway my question/query is, can anyone recommend a replacement for this rooflight? As stated in the title it is the 900 x 600 size so are there any alternatives out there that will fit. I'm not totally averse to replacing it with another Vario 2 (if I can find one!) especially as all the internal fittings/clips are already fitted, but, if there are better options out there please let me know and I'll do some research.
Luckily I've managed to get the rooflight down and clipped closed so it is watertight, therefore I can take a bit of time to ensure I get the best option fitted.
Thanks in advance for any advice and recommendations

 

[Revolvor]

Here is one.

Remis Vario 2 (900 x 600) Rooflight with Winding Handle | Remis Code: 10036788 | Remis REMItop Vario II Rooflights and Spare Parts | Leisureshopdirect

Buy Remis Vario 2 (900 x 600) Rooflight with Winding Handle | Remis Code: 10036788 | Remis REMItop Vario II Rooflights and Spare Parts | Leisureshopdirect online at LeisureShopDirect

www.leisureshopdirect.com

 

[Revolvor]

I've just replaced my smaller Remis roof light with a Seitz Mini Heiki for the same reason. The Seitz has a much simpler lifting mechanism. My 600 x 900 Remis is also getting difficult to operate.

 

[Gaz n Debs]

Here is one.

Remis Vario 2 (900 x 600) Rooflight with Winding Handle | Remis Code: 10036788 | Remis REMItop Vario II Rooflights and Spare Parts | Leisureshopdirect

Buy Remis Vario 2 (900 x 600) Rooflight with Winding Handle | Remis Code: 10036788 | Remis REMItop Vario II Rooflights and Spare Parts | Leisureshopdirect online at LeisureShopDirect

www.leisureshopdirect.com

Thanks Revolver, I actually found this too after I posted this morning, been doing some research into alternatives but can't seem to find anything so think I may have to bite the bullet and go for one of these again.

 

[Boringfrog]

"A snakes wedding".

 

[Gaz n Debs]

I've just replaced my smaller Remis roof light with a Seitz Mini Heiki for the same reason. The Seitz has a much simpler lifting mechanism. My 600 x 900 Remis is also getting difficult to operate.

I've seen some people saying that actually pushing the rooflight up from the inside whilst winding to take pressure off the winding mechanism helps - didn't in my case though.

 

[the1andonly]

This seems to a "popular" problem, I'm on my 3rd or 4th repair and im wondering has anyone converted this to a manual operation.
ie locked closed
unlocked free motion with a "stick" to hold open in 1 or 2 positions

 

[Revolvor]

This seems to a "popular" problem, I'm on my 3rd or 4th repair and im wondering has anyone converted this to a manual operation.
ie locked closed
unlocked free motion with a "stick" to hold open in 1 or 2 positions

I haven't done it, but am seriously thinking of doing something like that. I too would be interested in any advice about how best to do it.

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[the1andonly]

Currently i'm in a difficult position in that the lid is not locked it is floppy to 3" open but cant open any more. The winder doesnt work and I cant get to the pivot pins to remove them n order to fully open the lid to then dismantle the mechanism.
I think the reason for my repeated failiures has been the rhs lock clamp, which was rediculously stiff the LHS has free movement.
I think a simpler method would help a lot of people, so I hope this brings out some assistance for a new method or even how to dismantle with so little room. There is a repair kit for the Vario 2 but currently not available at at least £120. Swmbo is not in the market for a new skylight, I'm not looking foward to a complete replacement.

 

[the1andonly]

I haven't done it, but am seriously thinking of doing something like that. I too would be interested in any advice about how best to do it.

Well weve decided on the repair kit but delivery date unknown. So for next trip we've adopted this method for travelling , SWMBO is queen of velcro. The velcro loops around the clamped positions on the rooflight.

 

[Revolvor]

Well weve decided on the repair kit but delivery date unknown. So for next trip we've adopted this method for travelling , SWMBO is queen of velcro. The velcro loops around the clamped positions on the rooflight.




View attachment 1114822

That's good. I'd been wondering about a way to keep it closed without the latch mechanism. Where did you purchase the repair kit?

 

[the1andonly]

Lesiureshop direct.com

MY initial thought was around the winder but i think the alternative is better.

 

[Revolvor]

Well weve decided on the repair kit but delivery date unknown. So for next trip we've adopted this method for travelling , SWMBO is queen of velcro. The velcro loops around the clamped positions on the rooflight.




View attachment 1114822

I've just ordered a repair kit from Leisure Shop Direct. Their website says they have 70 units arriving on 17th September. Hopefully your order will be fullfilled from these!

However, the order acknowledgement states it is only suitable for the Vario 2 and not the Vario 1.

I was unsure what model I have so I contacted them and they send me this leaflet.

Unfortunately, mine is a Vario 1, so I am reluctantly cancelling the order.

 

[the1andonly]

I've just ordered a repair kit from Leisure Shop Direct. Their website says they have 70 units arriving on 17th September. Hopefully your order will be fullfilled from these!

However, the order acknowledgement states it is only suitable for the Vario 2 and not the Vario 1.

I was unsure what model I have so I contacted them and they send me this leaflet.

Unfortunately, mine is a Vario 1, so I am reluctantly cancelling the order.

aS I understand the only option with a vario 1 is total replacement, various options have been mentioned here in the past so your options look like replacement or a couple of sticks and lengths of velcro. Hope youn find a cheaper option than a new vario 2

 

[Gaz n Debs]

Well weve decided on the repair kit but delivery date unknown. So for next trip we've adopted this method for travelling , SWMBO is queen of velcro. The velcro loops around the clamped positions on the rooflight.




View attachment 1114822

Apologies for jumping in late on this, we've been away in Europe for a couple of weeks and avoided emails and the interweb as much as possible!
As you have probably seen, if you read from the beginning of this thread, I actually purchased and fitted one of the repair kits before having to go down the route of replacing the whole skylight (@ around £800 - and that was over 3 years ago!!)
When you carry out the winder replacement, ensure you screw everything that holds wire wormdrive sheath / tube in position (if that's what it's called?) as tightly as you can - if possible I'd even go as far as using some sort of super glue / 2 part epoxy etc to backup the screws to ensure that it/they cannot move. Therefore, when you then turn the handle the only direction the force / torque can go is to turn the drive - AND NOT force it out of the fixings and basically snarl up on itself (Previously mentioned 'Snakes Wedding'!!) I would also ensure that once you have everything dismantled, prior to fitting the replacement, that EVERYTHING that should move/turn/pivot is able to do so as freely as possible. I wish you luck
Incidentally, since fitting the expensive new unit we've not encountered any issues with it, but we do ensure that EVERY time it is wound open there is another hand assisting to push it up from underneath to ensure the pressure on the whole mechanism is as small as possible - ESPECIALLY when it has been closed for a long period and there is a lot of 'Sticktion' between the skylight and the rubber seal.

 

[the1andonly]

Apologies for jumping in late on this, we've been away in Europe for a couple of weeks and avoided emails and the interweb as much as possible!
As you have probably seen, if you read from the beginning of this thread, I actually purchased and fitted one of the repair kits before having to go down the route of replacing the whole skylight (@ around £800 - and that was over 3 years ago!!)
When you carry out the winder replacement, ensure you screw everything that holds wire wormdrive sheath / tube in position (if that's what it's called?) as tightly as you can - if possible I'd even go as far as using some sort of super glue / 2 part epoxy etc to backup the screws to ensure that it/they cannot move. Therefore, when you then turn the handle the only direction the force / torque can go is to turn the drive - AND NOT force it out of the fixings and basically snarl up on itself (Previously mentioned 'Snakes Wedding'!!) I would also ensure that once you have everything dismantled, prior to fitting the replacement, that EVERYTHING that should move/turn/pivot is able to do so as freely as possible. I wish you luck
Incidentally, since fitting the expensive new unit we've not encountered any issues with it, but we do ensure that EVERY time it is wound open there is another hand assisting to push it up from underneath to ensure the pressure on the whole mechanism is as small as possible - ESPECIALLY when it has been closed for a long period and there is a lot of 'Sticktion' between the skylight and the rubber seal.

Thanks for that i had a previous repair jump out and last time decided the individual clamps wernt up to it and fabricated a bracket that joined a few together. It has prevented the jumping out but the cogs no longer grip the snake.

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[Gaz n Debs]

Thanks for that i had a previous repair jump out and last time decided the individual clamps wernt up to it and fabricated a bracket that joined a few together. It has prevented the jumping out but the cogs no longer grip the snake.

It appears that there are both design and material choice issues!
If there was an alternative available at the time I would have fitted it instead of a replacement of the same type - however as I've said we've not had any issues with the one I fitted as long as we ensure we assist it whilst opening.

 

[the1andonly]

I suspect when its done and SWMBO wants to open it i'll be saying "are you sure"