Roof Lights

[Archie H]

Hi All,

Looking for a little guidance and if anyone has come across our wee dilemma as follows:
Travelling north the the homeland up the A1 and just past Doncaster we hear this horrible squealing noise followed by a loud rattle/banging. Wife establishes that the roof light latch has let go at the rear of the front roof light on our WildAx PVC. The unit is mounted sideways/longitude. We were at a speed of ~65-70mph and as might be expected scared the proverbial out of the significant other. Obviously we couldn't stop immediately so sloweed and carried on until safe to pull off and see what was going on. Has anyone ever had this happen and if so did you find a fix rather than complete replacement.

She was up and down like a yoyo for the next 200 miles until I asked her to drive and then I had a crack at resolving it on the move. I know not the wisest choice but was the only way to determine what was happening. Seems the latch is not completely interlocking through the plastic loop.

All input appreciated.
Thanks
Archie

 

[Lenny HB]

A photo would help.

 

[Minxy]

Is this it?

 

[Archie H]

I'll see what I can get in the morning Lenny. Minxy, thanks for that it is similar but not the same. I've been trying to id it but it appears to be unamed. I have gut feeling its fiamma but not 100% sure. We are static until Thu and as long as I keep below a certain speed it seems to stay latched. I have a theory that what is happening over 65mph is the poor latching is being exacerbated by wind turbulence similar to what happens with a wing as there is a wind deflector immediately in front of it. Low pressure versus high pressure just gives it the additional force to along with vibes to release the catch and there it is. Could be tosh of course!! More tomorrow.
Thanks A.

 

[Archie H]

I'll see what I can get in the morning Lenny. Minxy, thanks for that it is similar but not the same. I've been trying to id it but it appears to be unamed. I have gut feeling its fiamma but not 100% sure. We are static until Thu and as long as I keep below a certain speed it seems to stay latched. I have a theory that what is happening over 65mph is the poor latching is being exacerbated by wind turbulence similar to what happens with a wing as there is a wind deflector immediately in front of it. Low pressure versus high pressure just gives it the additional force to along with vibes to release the catch and there it is. Could be tosh of course!! More tomorrow.
Thanks A.

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[Archie H]

Hopefully these photos can be seen. The problem lies in the picture to the right. everything appears to be okay but clearly not.
A

 

[Stealaway]

I can't see the black sponge seal normally fitted into the groove in the roof light. Is it there? Could this be a reason?

 

[Archie H]

Good Morning Stealaway,

No black seal on any of the 3 roof lights fitted on the van. ;-) thanks for input though every little bit of info helps.

 

[TheBig1]

Look at picture 1, the end of the hook has snapped off by the look of it

 

[TheBig1]

These are third party made extra latches to keep the lid down when closed

Pair of Rooflight Security Locks - to suit Heki by Dometic (Caravan / Motorhome) | eBay

Push the lock upwards and rotate into the slot on the rooflight (see photo). To open the rooflight just rotate the lock out of the slot and open normally. Our rooflight locks help add a little extra security to the standard clip fasteners by locking the bar in the closed position.

www.ebay.co.uk

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[berni109]

Definitely looks like a heki roof light. The difference between the vented and unvented version is whether the black sponge seal in fitted into the groove or not. On the unvented version the interior lip on the lid molding closes against the foam. Otherwise they are the same.
When the actuating arm is in the fully closed position the hook referred to above should engauge with the moulded 'keep' seen right next to the clear part of the lid in the photos. You can best see this by looking from the outside through the clear part onto the top of the mechanism. Or maybe with a small mirror but not much room.
If that's all ok try inserting some foam / sponge into the grove along the closing edge so you get a slight resistance when you push the arm over the pop out lock.
HTH

Ps. If it's a midi heki and u need a new interior complete PM me.

 

[Stealaway]

Dometic Seitz Mini Heki Rooflight Black Rubber Foam Seal 1.65m Caravan BG1327 | eBay

This seal only fits the non-ventilated Mini Heki, the ventilated rooflight do not have a seal.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Archie H]

These are third party made extra latches to keep the lid down when closed

Pair of Rooflight Security Locks - to suit Heki by Dometic (Caravan / Motorhome) | eBay

Push the lock upwards and rotate into the slot on the rooflight (see photo). To open the rooflight just rotate the lock out of the slot and open normally. Our rooflight locks help add a little extra security to the standard clip fasteners by locking the bar in the closed position.

www.ebay.co.uk

That looks like a good solution thank you for the link.

 

[Archie H]

Definitely looks like a heki roof light. The difference between the vented and unvented version is whether the black sponge seal in fitted into the groove or not. On the unvented version the interior lip on the lid molding closes against the foam. Otherwise they are the same.
When the actuating arm is in the fully closed position the hook referred to above should engauge with the moulded 'keep' seen right next to the clear part of the lid in the photos. You can best see this by looking from the outside through the clear part onto the top of the mechanism. Or maybe with a small mirror but not much room.
If that's all ok try inserting some foam / sponge into the grove along the closing edge so you get a slight resistance when you push the arm over the pop out lock.
HTH

Ps. If it's a midi heki and u need a new interior complete PM me.

Thank you Berni109. I'm with you on the make although there is no markings of any kind showing who the manufacturer is. It's not a midi as it is ~500mm long x 400 wide. Good info though for follow up on our return home. Cheers A