WINDOWS ಠ_ಠ
The screen on the larger window has given us no end of torment as we spent hours trying to get it to fit the window correctly and stay in the window frame. My dad had stabbed himself with a flat-blade screwdriver before we finished for the day. We had finally managed to get the screen back in correctly. The next morning we went out to start work and the screen had popped out overnight. I called the company for the window who told me this was not an uncommon issue. They would send more clips. Our next step was using Steel Stik (some very cool stuff) to basically cement the clips we had in their place in the screen. Once we let it set and tried again, all the clips stayed in place! But the screen was warped and there are gaps around the edges where it doesn't quite fit in. Once the extra clips come in we will try adding extra clips to see if that will help. The good news is that that window passed its leak test with flying colors!
The exciting news is that after failing its leak test three times (supremely frustrating), the second, smaller window has finally passed its test!!! Where the first window had a trim ring that just needed to be screwed in to seal everything up, this window needed urethane sealant. Hence, each time we go back in with more sealant we have to wait 24 hours for it to cure before we can test it again. Each failed test was disappointing as each time we thought, "This time we've got it. We've shoved so much sealant in there now there is no way any water could get in!" And each time we were proven wrong, yet again. The amount of water leaking in was getting to be less and less, but it was still frustrating to have to repeat the process time and time again without success. Especially because we couldn't see any holes. We filled every gap possible, inside and out, with urethane sealant and still had water leaking in from...somewhere. We finally pried out some of the old sealant that obviously wasn't working and re-did the entire inside ring of urethane with an extremely thicc bead, and it worked!!! When we did her final leak test after waiting the requisite 24-hours for the sealant to cure, I was sweating bullets. What would we do if this didn't work? Would we have to try and pry out all the sealant we had put in to start over? Could we even do that? Would we have to cut the window out?!!?! But as the water arched out of the hose and began to splash down the sides of the van, I anxiously held my breath...and nothing happened. No water pooling on the top sill of the window. None dribbling out from under the sealant along the sides. Not even a drop dripping out under the bottom edge. After nervously studying every centimeter of the window for any signs of moisture on the inside I stuck my thumbs-up out the back door of the van. Dad shut the hose off. The relief washed over both of us like a tidal wave that wasn't leaking into my van through a poorly installed window! 😉 We both whooped in victory and celebrated our success.
I got solar panels and a roof rack ordered and they all came in surprisingly fast. I chose two 210 watt panels and one 160 watt panel to give me a total peak output of 580 watts. (Long story very short I used this handy dandy calculator to get as closely accurate an idea as to my power needs as possible.) Thanks to the roof rack, I should be able to install all three solar panels, the fan, and have a little room leftover to build a tiny deck area for sunbathing, photos, etc.! We did get the roof rack installed, and it was very convenient. The instructions were clear and easy to follow (and had only a handful of steps). Our hands were filthy, but the rack was secure on the roof and just waiting for its leak test. While we were already on the roof we did also caulk over some extra areas that have proven to leak after some time (a well known issue commonly discussed in the Ford Transit forums).
The exciting news is that after failing its leak test three times (supremely frustrating), the second, smaller window has finally passed its test!!! Where the first window had a trim ring that just needed to be screwed in to seal everything up, this window needed urethane sealant. Hence, each time we go back in with more sealant we have to wait 24 hours for it to cure before we can test it again. Each failed test was disappointing as each time we thought, "This time we've got it. We've shoved so much sealant in there now there is no way any water could get in!" And each time we were proven wrong, yet again. The amount of water leaking in was getting to be less and less, but it was still frustrating to have to repeat the process time and time again without success. Especially because we couldn't see any holes. We filled every gap possible, inside and out, with urethane sealant and still had water leaking in from...somewhere. We finally pried out some of the old sealant that obviously wasn't working and re-did the entire inside ring of urethane with an extremely thicc bead, and it worked!!! When we did her final leak test after waiting the requisite 24-hours for the sealant to cure, I was sweating bullets. What would we do if this didn't work? Would we have to try and pry out all the sealant we had put in to start over? Could we even do that? Would we have to cut the window out?!!?! But as the water arched out of the hose and began to splash down the sides of the van, I anxiously held my breath...and nothing happened. No water pooling on the top sill of the window. None dribbling out from under the sealant along the sides. Not even a drop dripping out under the bottom edge. After nervously studying every centimeter of the window for any signs of moisture on the inside I stuck my thumbs-up out the back door of the van. Dad shut the hose off. The relief washed over both of us like a tidal wave that wasn't leaking into my van through a poorly installed window! 😉 We both whooped in victory and celebrated our success.
I got solar panels and a roof rack ordered and they all came in surprisingly fast. I chose two 210 watt panels and one 160 watt panel to give me a total peak output of 580 watts. (Long story very short I used this handy dandy calculator to get as closely accurate an idea as to my power needs as possible.) Thanks to the roof rack, I should be able to install all three solar panels, the fan, and have a little room leftover to build a tiny deck area for sunbathing, photos, etc.! We did get the roof rack installed, and it was very convenient. The instructions were clear and easy to follow (and had only a handful of steps). Our hands were filthy, but the rack was secure on the roof and just waiting for its leak test. While we were already on the roof we did also caulk over some extra areas that have proven to leak after some time (a well known issue commonly discussed in the Ford Transit forums).
* * *
Status: Both windows have finally passed their leak tests! We pumped a little extra clear caulk in two small areas around the large window. Even though she passed her leak test with flying colors (on the first try!), the gaps were big enough to make me worry about the long-term, so for peace of mind we sealed them up.
We got the passenger swivel seat installed!
The roof rack is installed and just waiting to be leak tested and then have the crossbars arranged to accommodate the fan and solar panels.
The fan is the next big step, and since it also needs a urethane sealant, I am a bit more nervous about the installation since the whole Little Window Debacle. But, once the fan is installed I can start deep cleaning the van to prep for flooring and insulation!
* * *
 |
| Mystery Novella Teapot Time. This special time occurs during the Summers at the end of the day right as the sun starts to set and only lasts a couple minutes. It is one of my favorite times of the day. I may or may not have compared Mystery Novella Teapot Time to the playing of Taps. (Dad and I like it a lot because the dramatic lighting and shadow look like the cover of an old mystery novella.) |
Comments
Post a Comment
Please be kind and respectful of all who might see this message!