What would you replace that stupid skylight with?

[BigFatGuy]

I have one of these in my rig:



I hate it. Lets in too much light, can't open it to vent without letting in bugs, sticks up too high and gets in the way of my giant-solar-panel plans.

There's no power to that spot, and it's a different size than my fans, so that's out.

What would you replace it with? i'm open to almost any good idea...

[DUTCH in Atlanta]

Fantastic Fan.

[Davydd]

I'm installing two skylights in my next van. One in the bathroom and one over the bed. They will be fixed, not ventilating, for light and looking at the stars, and extra headroom. Maxxfans take care of ventilation and ventilating skylights without air movement are worthless, IMO, in comparison to a fan. I think I would snap an insulated cloth panel on the bed skylight for blocking light such as in a Walmart parking lot or in the winter. We have a fixed skylight in our current van's bathroom but leave it clear to view in Walmart parking lots and such for natural light. It is just enough light so you don't have to turn on the harsh electric light in the middle of the night. So fixed skylights without all the mechanisms to go wrong. I'm leery of such with my experience of leaks but I have to have a sense of outdoors where only birds and drones can see in.

As it stands now, with over 800ah of lithium ion batteries and second alternator, solar panels are not needed and I have the flexibility to put other things. Two skylights, Maxxfan, air conditioner, vent, and antennas will leave little room anyway on a short Sprinter roof.

[Winston]

Originally Posted by BigFatGuy

Lets in too much light...

Really? Didn't know that was possible.

[BigFatGuy]

Originally Posted by Winston

Really? Didn't know that was possible.

It's right over my bed, and i like to sleep in.

[booster]

Originally Posted by BigFatGuy

It's right over my bed, and i like to sleep in.

We had that with our vent fan and just made a plastic cover for it the attaches with a magnet in about 10 seconds. Nice and dark now, but still get light during the day, which we want.

[BigFatGuy]

Originally Posted by booster

We had that with our vent fan and just made a plastic cover for it the attaches with a magnet in about 10 seconds. Nice and dark now, but still get light during the day, which we want.

That is one option, but doesn't help the solar panel issue. I'm about to remove the TV antenna, and if I can also get rid of this thing's big, domed lid I'll have room for a big fat solar panel on the front half of my rig.

Looking back, I think we've only used the skylight as a skylight... once or twice in over 2 years. There's usually plenty of light coming in through all the van windows.

[Jon in AZ]

Cut a Reflectix panel and slip it between the glass and the sliding shade. It'll block light and reduce heat gain in warm weather. Not much to be gained by removing it, and the next owner may like it.

Living in the Southwest, I have learned to hate skylights, sunroofs, translucent vent covers... Give me more windows on the sides instead, open to the breezes.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by BigFatGuy

It's right over my bed...

Then replace it with a TV screen.

[BigFatGuy]

Originally Posted by avanti

Then replace it with a TV screen.

we're getting rid of the TV too...

Maybe a mirror?

[Davydd]

I'm watching Tiny House Nation on Netflix and the last episode where the bedroom was in a crawl in loft they put a skylight above the bed so the 6'-6" occupant could sit up in bed with the skylight giving more vertical space. That was exactly why I designed a skylight over the bed. 26" will be just enough space to sit up (that's what we have below the upper cabinets now and I don't bump my head) but the skylight will provide a bit more with a bubble type. We have an insulated cover that snaps onto the MaxxAir Fan opening and will probably use the same on skylights.

[paddy]

We have a skylight like that and love it.
Lets in much needed light in a window restricted MH.
Ours opens for ventilation and has a screen that can be pulled across to keep out bugs.
Also has a light blocking screen that can be pulled across.
I think your skylight has the same options.

[BigFatGuy]

Originally Posted by paddy

We have a skylight like that and love it.
Lets in much needed light in a window restricted MH.
Ours opens for ventilation and has a screen that can be pulled across to keep out bugs.
Also has a light blocking screen that can be pulled across.
I think your skylight has the same options.

It does... But the light blocking screen still let's a lot in around the sides, and the bug screen has a pretty major flaw: you can't close the vent without letting bugs in, because the screen is in the way.

[Average_alice]

How about some art piece in its place? Or a rotating art exhibit.

[BigFatGuy]

Originally Posted by Average_alice

How about some art piece in its place? Or a rotating art exhibit.

I kind of like that idea.