Alternatives to large Heki skylight??

[stevesdmax]

Hi fellow TC'ers: I've been reading lots since my purchase last February (EC 1050), and appreciate all the expertise and time offered by everyone. My Heki skylight latches broke shortly after my purchase (gonna blame my klutz ex-girlfriend:). My temporary latch fix did NOT work, the wind got under the bubble, and totally destroyed the skylight. Then, of course, I had to drive through a rain-then-hail storm in Oregon. Enough whining...

I read lots from people complaining about the Heki design and craftsmanship (I agree), but I have yet to find anything in my searches about alternative manufacturers/sources for large TC skylights. My FINISH dimensions are:

outside: 40" X 29"
inside: 33" X 21"

I guess I cold stomach shelling out the $600 or $700 for a new Heki if the things were great quality, but....

Please help! I'm 500 miles from home for the holiday, and have to return on Monday, new skylight or not. Thanks folks.

Steve

[HMS_Beagle]

I have seen no indication from Heki or any of their dealers that there are three versions of the Heki Midi (specifically). There are a number of different Heki skylights other than the Midi, of various vintages, so maybe that is the confusion (Heki 1, 2, 3 Plus, 4 Plus, Mini Heki S, etc., also the Heki Midi Style which opens sideways). In fact the one shown broken in the posting above does not appear to be a Midi, but a different model. I should clarify that there are actually six versions of the Heki Midi manufactured concurrently: a bar operated, a crank operated, and a motor operated version, each supplied in two variants: sealed and permanently vented (required by some European jurisdictions). But none of these is an improved version of the other, merely model variations within the Midi product.

From Dometic's website, parts breakdown for the Heki Midi shows only one configuration, one set of parts. I would be interested in any information you have that shows otherwise. Surely the product could be improved!

On edit, I notice the OP did not specify which Heki skylight he has. Could be one of the others I suppose. The 1, 2, 3, and 4 all fit the same rough opening.

[billtex]

HMS Beagle wrote:

billtex wrote:
What year is your EC?
I have heard the latest gen of Heiki is much improved...time will tell.

Bill

I have just seen one new in the box fresh from Heki. Looks exactly like the one on my 2008. Still a fail from an execution point of view.

I do wonder if the crank open version has a more reliable latch than the lever bar version.

IIRC these are now on Version 3.0
1.0 was completely different
2.0 and 3.0 are similar with different (improved?) latch ("lever bar")

Your 08 likely has version 1.0.

3.0 came out 2012/2013...

What you saw in the box could have been a replacement for a version 1.0.
I have no idea if the different iterations are compatible.

In any case, we live where there are many boat builders. If we ever have trouble with our Heiki I think I would go to one of the boat shops and have them fit a marine hatch to our camper. They are robust.
The Heiki....mehhh...too many complaints.

So far our's has been fine...but time will tell, it was the only hatch available on Eagle Cap.

Bill

[jimh406]

mooring product wrote:
I then used four S.S screws and installed them from the white frame into the black part where the gas shocks were so it wouldn't open again.

This is also an escape hatch, so I'm uncomfortable of permanently keeping it closed. It does give me an idea though to use some type of latch that can be fitted to go through both layers of the skylight, so maybe I'll look into that. I have one latch missing a lever at the moment, and don't really want to replace with the standard ones that aren't great.

Other than the missing latch, my skylight has been great. I wonder if the install and stiffness of the roof is making a difference. It would be interesting to find out if this is coming out as a brand specific issue that is related to the install.

[HMS_Beagle]

billtex wrote:
What year is your EC?
I have heard the latest gen of Heiki is much improved...time will tell.

Bill

I have just seen one new in the box fresh from Heki. Looks exactly like the one on my 2008. Still a fail from an execution point of view.

I do wonder if the crank open version has a more reliable latch than the lever bar version.

[mooring_product]

My latches broke and I would bungy the top down from the inside but the wind pulled it open and then broke two latches.

We live in a hot area so we never opened the top, we always run the AC.

What I did was I removed the two gas shocks. I then used four S.S screws and installed them from the white frame into the black part where the gas shocks were so it wouldn't open again. I also placed three small pieces of tap over the hinges for extra security. (I used Intra bond...white roof tape.)

This worked great.

Heki fix by MooringProduct, on Flickr

[billtex]

What year is your EC?
I have heard the latest gen of Heiki is much improved...time will tell. If we ever have to replace our's I would go with one of these;Marine hatch

Or, make one from composite...
Let us know how you make out w/repair.

Bill

[stevesdmax]

Thanks guys. Think I'll go with a temp fixed sheet, then see if insurance will replace- even though this was partially self-inflicted.

[3_tons]

My Heki lid cracked at the hinges and blew open on the freeway (2nd time around...) but replacement was covered by insurance. Now I have a bungee secured across the lid to prevent a redux III...If not for the insurance, I'd have custom ordered a residential unit from a glass shop and keep the Heki interior trim. Heki looks great, but in real-world terms is an under engineered, waaay overpriced piece of flimsy plastic (POS).

[HMS_Beagle]

I wish I could help. I have done extensive searches for a vent that is the same or larger size than the Heki (so it will cover the hole) with no luck. So it is either a) patch the hole and cut a smaller one, b) install a new Heki, c) custom make something to fit the hole. Temporarily you could go to a good hardware store, glass shop, or plastic shop and get a piece of acrylic cut large enough to cover the hole, then glue it down or tape it down.

There are plenty of fixed skylights that are big enough to cover the hole, but they would not open.

You can get a cheaper Heki replacement out of Europe for less than Dometic USA charges, even with the $150 or so for air shipping. Sadly.

Nice product concept - horrible execution and service.