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Post by gavo on Dec 29, 2011 19:45:51 GMT 10
Hi all I am considering options for replacing the original roof hatches in the 69 Viscount Duralvan. The original hatches are 780mm x 910mm folded galvabond with a 3-4mm ply liner with a wind up mechanism; pic below.  The van has two roof hatches both have broken winding mechanisms, one the housing is broken the other the internal mechanism is broken – not winding. I had the same issues in another Viscount I owned in another time. If I am to use new hatches I will need to resize the hole apertures – making them smaller so not bound to a particular type. So.... What are peoples thoughts on roof hatch types? Four seasons hatches sound good however are quite expensive, particularly when I need two. Would there be any issues using these types? Fiamma White caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11090Fiamma Crystal caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=9591Dometic Seitz – a fair bit more expensive than the first two caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11304They all have permanent venting and are less expensive than the four seasons. They are not period correct, although there will be some other interior items that won’t be. Cheers and looking forward to those more experienced than I for some ideas. Gavo |
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Post by millard1399 on Dec 31, 2011 15:06:45 GMT 10
G'day Gavo, You could do just about anything with the hatches. I don't think there is one better solution over another. The only caution I would make is that if you get the type that has the opaque perspex-type lid, make sure the quality stands up to the Australian sun. I've read on other caravan forums that some of the imported types don't last a long time in our weather. Other than that, you have a number of options of how you go about it. I've seen vans where they've installed a four seasons hatch on top of the box lid hatch. I've seen restorations where they've made the hatch opening smaller to accommodate a new hatch. If you go for a smaller opening, you have the issue of finding aluminium cladding to cover the gap. Some plain silver aluminium sheeting with a few rivets and good sealant would overcome this. Only people flying overhead in aeroplanes will see the finished job anyway. I don't suppose you know someone who's got some metal turning machinery that could make you some new winder housings out of metal?? That would allow you to keep the existing hatches if you were happy to do that (My brother does all that sort of metal stuff in his house basement workshop, lucky for me.  ) cheers, Al. |
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Post by Rattles on Dec 31, 2011 16:25:26 GMT 10
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Post by gavo on Dec 31, 2011 18:07:41 GMT 10
Hi all
Al thanks for the input, I was thinking of covering the hole with sheet aluminum and creating a new frame. When it comes to the metal turner bloke, well that could be me I guess as it is in my realm of "jack of all trades master of none" abilities so I will have a look into that option.
I might just fess up that in a past life I was a coach and motor body builder and started my apprenticeship doing refurbs on older coaches such as Greyhounds and Skinners coaches. A lot different to caravans though apart from the built to a price bit.
Rattles, not sure how the chain type winder would work, might look at them next time I am near a Bunnings store. Problem is the closest Bunnings is a two and a half hour drive away.
Well that's it, my next task is to see if I can pull one of these apart and see if it can be fixed or reproduced just to satisfy my curiosity.
Cheers
Gavo.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2012 21:28:50 GMT 10
Hi Gavo,
The hatches on our 77 Viscount need replacing as well. We came across a Camec product that fits our van ...
VISCOUNT VENT HATCH COVER - Fibreglass 865mm x 825mm Item # 00856 Approx $120 each.
We haven't replaced ours yet, so can't tell you if they are any good. We might get another year or two out of our patched up hatches.
Cheers,
Subbie
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Post by gavo on Jan 3, 2012 11:14:23 GMT 10
Thanks for the info Yellowsubmarine. The hatches themselves are fine and will just need a paint and reline. The winder mechanisms are the issue. I have decided to take millard1399's idea and manufacture new winder mechanisms as I am happy to keep the old hatches, they are nice and big allowing plenty of airflow. The mechanisms are fairly simple in operation just fiddly to make the main body. The spindle is just a threaded rod and appear fail due to no lubrication stripping the thread on the nut in the barrel and on the spindle.
Cheers
Gavo.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2012 16:42:09 GMT 10
hi gavo
Just to let you know you can still buy the wind up mechanism, we have just ordered two from The Caravan Depot here in WA at $12 each. They are also in the Camec catalogue.
cheers
Alex
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Post by gavo on Jan 5, 2012 22:35:22 GMT 10
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Post by Matty on Sept 18, 2012 13:30:01 GMT 10
Hi All, I can't seem to track down one of those wind up mechanism.My was busted when I purchased my 74 Viscount.
Can someone possibly steer me in the right direction please.
Cheers
Matty
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Post by greedy53 on Oct 12, 2012 19:16:02 GMT 10
dont toss the old fittings i need 2 so if someone has 2 for sale let me know
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Post by gavo on Oct 13, 2012 7:38:53 GMT 10
When I bought the two new ones, sunshine coast caravans as above had one more of the plastic brackets left January this year. I have one old one left, sorry I am hoarding it as a spare. I reckon with a bit of ingenuity you could re-manufacture a metal replacement.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2013 20:15:06 GMT 10
Hi, I have a 15' Duralvan which has a damaged hatch.
The winding mechanism seized up and when I tried to wind it up it buckled and jammed.
The inside bit just under the hatch is all skewed and looks like it could fall to pieces but I will need to repair it to allow ventilation into the caravan.
Is there a ready made solution available?
Thanks
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Post by ForumMod on Mar 3, 2013 20:34:26 GMT 10
Nup, the best thing is to try and salvage what you have. Trying to track down spares for these old vans is like looking for a needle in a haystack.  cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2013 12:22:20 GMT 10
Nup, the best thing is to try and salvage what you have. Trying to track down spares for these old vans is like looking for a needle in a haystack. cheers, Al.  Okay - so we have removed the widing mechanism, it was so seized up and as Gavo said, the threads had been stripped from lack of lubrication. In the meantime, I can still open the hatch and we have propped a bit of wood under it to keep it open. |
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It would be a lot easier to buy them than make them. 
