While driving from Palm Springs to Bakersfield yesterday, noticed an increasingly loud flapping sound. Turns out the vent lid had shaken loose, and the crank would no longer hold it tight like it’s stripped. Since it seemed like it was going to fly off at any time at highway speeds, I got on the roof and secured it with some gorilla tape. So now it’s a functional skylight! 😉
Is it fairly straightforward to replace the crank assembly? Found this on Amazon and it looks to be the right part, but wondering if anyone has done this before and if indeed it’s the right fix. To be clear, this is not one of the Fantastic Fans, just the plain vent.
Strybuc 807CK 7" Arm Roof Vent Operator
Amazon.com: Strybuc 807CK 7" Arm Roof Vent Operator : Tools & Home Improvement (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B019JOQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_ZZNBGAW35395QEV2ZDZJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1)
Thanks!
Daryl
Hi Daryl; Yes pretty uncomplicated to change this part out. It looks like the right part. I'm sure you measured the old part to match the 7" length. One screw to remove the crank handle. Two phillips screws hold the old screen in, to gain access from the inside, and then the two screws holding the actuator/gear sector in. Good luck with getting the Gorilla tape off. That might be the hardest part. RonB
Perfect opportunity to upgrade to a Maxxair or Fantastic fan, you won't regret it.
Steve
Is it the escape hatch (above the cab) or a roof vent?
A roof vent.
Hi Daryl; Yes pretty uncomplicated to change this part out. It looks like the right part. I'm sure you measured the old part to match the 7" length. One screw to remove the crank handle. Two phillips screws hold the old screen in, to gain access from the inside, and then the two screws holding the actuator/gear sector in. Good luck with getting the Gorilla tape off. That might be the hardest part. RonB
Thanks Ron!
I have discovered there is more than one variation of vent cranks. The length of the arm varies.
The Mothership is a source or measure the arm length and match it.
Larry
I have discovered there is more than one variation of vent cranks. The length of the arm varies.
The Mothership is a source or measure the arm length and match it.
Larry
Will do, thanks Larry!
After a quick call to the Mothership this morning, a check for $20.31 is now on the way to Montclair for the part so should have it before leaving for Cachuma! 😁
And BTW, is there a trick to getting the screen to pull off? After taking out the two screws (and removing crank handle) I tugged and tugged around edges of the screen, which moved down slightly but will not budge any further. Feels like I could break the plastic if pulling down on it too hard. Is there a hidden clip or something holding it in place?
Thanks again!
I think some of those screens have about 4 little clips that hold them up to the main frame. They are molded onto the plastic that forms the frame for the screen and they just snap into little slots. They are probably kind of brittle.
Jon
Hi Daryl; The 'Pop'n'Lock' screens sometimes don't survive removal, and I've lost some of the little snap in wedges. You can break a few and it isn't visible once snapped in. A little silicone grease helps installation and removal. It is handy to be able to get leaves and such out, and to clean the fan blades from inside. It beats unscrewing and re installing a bunch of little screws, and looks cleaner also.
Some available have one screen per box. This one Pop N Lock Vent Screen White (https://www.rvpartscountry.com/Pop-N-Lock-Vent-Screen-White.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3v6SBhCsARIsACyrRAlLOqdg4ey_M7BEK_5QBRVJEMRzvEBF69pdlha4w-mff94W1-s2PR4aAgkGEALw_wcB) says it has two per box at a more reasonable price. I get the white even if the frame is off-white.
This one is just one screen, off white: Fantastic Vent Pop 'N Lock Off White Screen Only - .36 (https://www.adventurerv.net/fantastic-vent-pop-lock-off-white-screen-only-p-34369.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3v6SBhCsARIsACyrRAkwEqW4TZ7BeyJLb0aoGPnkh2IUnE__O1jx3r8sfFo61wordHTH8JQaApxFEALw_wcB&sc_intid=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adventurerv.net34369&scid=scplphttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.adventurerv.net34369&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google) RonB
I think some of those screens have about 4 little clips that hold them up to the main frame. They are molded onto the plastic that forms the frame for the screen and they just snap into little slots. They are probably kind of brittle.
Jon
Thanks Jon, Next time I’m at the rig, I’ll play around with it some more and see if I can get it to pop out!
Hi Daryl; The 'Pop'n'Lock' screens sometimes don't survive removal, and I've lost some of the little snap in wedges. You can break a few and it isn't visible once snapped in. A little silicone grease helps installation and removal. It is handy to be able to get leaves and such out, and to clean the fan blades from inside. It beats unscrewing and re installing a bunch of little screws, and looks cleaner also.
Some available have one screen per box. This one Pop N Lock Vent Screen White (https://www.rvpartscountry.com/Pop-N-Lock-Vent-Screen-White.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3v6SBhCsARIsACyrRAlLOqdg4ey_M7BEK_5QBRVJEMRzvEBF69pdlha4w-mff94W1-s2PR4aAgkGEALw_wcB) says it has two per box at a more reasonable price. I get the white even if the frame is off-white.
This one is just one screen, off white: Fantastic Vent Pop 'N Lock Off White Screen Only - .36 (https://www.adventurerv.net/fantastic-vent-pop-lock-off-white-screen-only-p-34369.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3v6SBhCsARIsACyrRAkwEqW4TZ7BeyJLb0aoGPnkh2IUnE__O1jx3r8sfFo61wordHTH8JQaApxFEALw_wcB&sc_intid=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adventurerv.net34369&scid=scplphttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.adventurerv.net34369&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google) RonB
Thanks Ron,
I do have those round Pop&Lock screens on the Fantastic Fans. But this one I’m working on is just the square vent/screen, no fan. Will keep tugging on it and hope it pops off without cracked plastic 🤪