Windshield Screen

[RetiredSKP]

Originally Posted by az bound

The N is the material they are made of. in this case it is Neodymium. The grade number refers to the strength of the magnet. with 52 being the highest. A grade N42 would have a direct pull release strength of 25 lbs.

Az Bound,

The magnets that I ordered from K&J arrived this morning. Although K&J stressed “great care” when handling them, they actually did not give any useful information on how to handle them. I was able to remove one from the stack by placing the stack on the edge of a counter and sliding the end magnet down and away. Unfortunately I cracked a piece off of it when I tried to return that magnet to the stack, separated by the rubber washer originally in place. I was not successful. Now I have to figure out how to separate two magnets without the washer between them.

I am now getting worried that I may have ordered magnets that are too powerful. The way these slap together, when they get anywhere near each other, make me afraid they may crack my windshield. I was hoping to use one K&J magnet holding the sunscreen in place, attracted to one Radio Shack magnet on the inside on the windshield. I was able to put one of the K&J magnets on one side of a window in my Jeep and a RS magnet on the other side. That may be strong enough but I am not sure.

Can you tell me if you put the strips of metal on the outside, or the inside, of the window when you made yours? Do you have any fear of cracking the windshield when you put the sunscreen in place? Are your magnets in a pocket, sewn onto the outside of the screen, putting material in between the magnet and the glass? Any suggestions you have would be appreciated.

RetiredSKP

[burmashave]

I just ordered one for a Tropical 236. Should be made and ready to ship in a week. Got the black one. Ordered the large bag and wiper covers. Skipped the side windows for now. Will see how the windshield screen works on it's own first I guess.

[Finhawk]

[QUOTE=RetiredSKP;841687]Az Bound,

The magnets that I ordered from K&J arrived this morning. Although K&J stressed “great care” when handling them, they actually did not give any useful information on how to handle them. I was able to remove one from the stack by placing the stack on the edge of a counter and sliding the end magnet down and away. Unfortunately I cracked a piece off of it when I tried to return that magnet to the stack, separated by the rubber washer originally in place. I was not successful. Now I have to figure out how to separate two magnets without the washer between them.
-------------------------------------------------------
Get two channel lock pliers. Hold with one and twist the other. .It's fun, believe me. It takes a few time to get the hang of it. Just take them off the roll as you need them otherwise you'll be in a fix!
There is really no problem with mounting the screen. It doesn't snap on that hard and the material acts as a cushion. If you're making your own, I don't know what to tell you. Personally I felt that it was better to have it made by a pro rather than fool around with it
Bruce

[az bound]

Originally Posted by RetiredSKP

Az Bound,

The magnets that I ordered from K&J arrived this morning. Although K&J stressed “great care” when handling them, they actually did not give any useful information on how to handle them. I was able to remove one from the stack by placing the stack on the edge of a counter and sliding the end magnet down and away. Unfortunately I cracked a piece off of it when I tried to return that magnet to the stack, separated by the rubber washer originally in place. I was not successful. Now I have to figure out how to separate two magnets without the washer between them.

I am now getting worried that I may have ordered magnets that are too powerful. The way these slap together, when they get anywhere near each other, make me afraid they may crack my windshield. I was hoping to use one K&J magnet holding the sunscreen in place, attracted to one Radio Shack magnet on the inside on the windshield. I was able to put one of the K&J magnets on one side of a window in my Jeep and a RS magnet on the other side. That may be strong enough but I am not sure.

Can you tell me if you put the strips of metal on the outside, or the inside, of the window when you made yours? Do you have any fear of cracking the windshield when you put the sunscreen in place? Are your magnets in a pocket, sewn onto the outside of the screen, putting material in between the magnet and the glass? Any suggestions you have would be appreciated.

RetiredSKP

Sorry to hear you broke one I have the same strength magnets as you N42. A magnet on the interior and one on the exterior may work, but I havn't tried it. Windshield glass is about 1/4" thick and I was afraid I would loose some of the strength. I used exterior grade double backed tape to adhere steel to the exterior of the glass. The magnets are sewn in a pocket in the screen so that there is one layer of fabric between the magnet and the glass.
We have been using this set up for over ten years and have not broken any windows yet. We use a 4' piece of dowl to slide the screens in place.
Do not try to restack them without the spacer. As you have found out, they are quite powerful, WATCH YOUR FINGERS. We had gusts here today of up to 35 mph and didn't loose a screen.

[RetiredSKP]

Originally Posted by az bound

Sorry to hear you broke one I have the same strength magnets as you N42. A magnet on the interior and one on the exterior may work, but I havn't tried it. Windshield glass is about 1/4" thick and I was afraid I would loose some of the strength. I used exterior grade double backed tape to adhere steel to the exterior of the glass. The magnets are sewn in a pocket in the screen so that there is one layer of fabric between the magnet and the glass.
We have been using this set up for over ten years and have not broken any windows yet. We use a 4' piece of dowl to slide the screens in place.
Do not try to restack them without the spacer. As you have found out, they are quite powerful, WATCH YOUR FINGERS. We had gusts here today of up to 35 mph and didn't loose a screen.

Az Bound,

Yesterday the wind calmed down here so I got a large piece of cardboard and made a pattern of my windshield. I only had enough to make one half of the windshield. I brought it to my Tarp and Awning guy. He was very tactful but told me that it was not good enough. He said that he would come to my motor home on Wednesday the 4th and make a pattern. He said that he would not charge me for doing this.

How about fender washers in place of 1 inch squares of metal since my magnets are round? Did you paint your metal to keep it from rusting since it is on the outside? Inquiring minds want to know.

RetiredSKP

[az bound]

RetiredSKP
A fender washer should be ok, and yes I painted the exposed side. Be sure to clean the glass with alcohol where you are going to stick the washers. One of my friends decided to use rear view mirror adhesive on his. He got it at O' Rileys and seems to be working quite well so thats another option.

[RetiredSKP]

Originally Posted by az bound

RetiredSKP
A fender washer should be ok, and yes I painted the exposed side. Be sure to clean the glass with alcohol where you are going to stick the washers. One of my friends decided to use rear view mirror adhesive on his. He got it at O' Rileys and seems to be working quite well so thats another option.

Az Bound,

The Tarp & Awning guy came by yesterday to make the pattern. I don't know what that stuff he brought with him was but it looked like a roll of plastic with pin strips like a pin stripe suit. Once he got a piece the width of the motor home cut off it sucked to the windshield like glue. Then he just traced around the windshield with a black magic marker and pulled it off. He said we will have the "fitting" next week to finalize where the magnet will go. Fingers crossed and all that.

RetiredSKP

[Wayne M]

I just revisited this thread as I had not kept up with it for a little bit.

I noticed that there was/is a lot of talk about having screens made and using magnets. I don't mean to offend anyone, but you do need to remember that there are Patent Rights associated with some products. Most times you can check out the manufacturers web page, or some means of knowing if a product is patented. Then you need to make a decisions as to whether in the long run it is worth the "real price" to pay if infringement occurs.

Good luck in all of your legal endeavors.

[docj]

Originally Posted by az bound

The test can be performed without the need for any scientists.
Pick any window that is in direct sunlite.
Hang shading material on the outside of the window and wait about 1/2 hr. Put your hand on it and feel the temperature of the glass.
Hang any type of shade over the inside of the window.
Wait about 1/2 hr. and slide your hand under the shade. the glass is still hot.
You have now done your own test and proven that inside shades do not stop the heat transfer through the glass.

As a former physics teacher, let me explain the science of this--it's not that complicated.

1. If you have an inside shade, light comes through the windshield and any of it that does not reflect back out gets absorbed by the shade.
2. When the light energy re-radiates from the shade (which it must because the shade has to stay in thermodynamic equilibrium with the rest of the world) it will radiate as infrared waves.
3. Infrared waves cannot pass through the windshield and, therefore, their energy stays inside the coach, heating it up. This is what is known as the greenhouse effect. It's the physics that makes greenhouses hot.
4. If the light is absorbed by a shade outside of the windshield the energy never enters the coach.

[Finhawk]

Originally Posted by Wayne M

I just revisited this thread as I had not kept up with it for a little bit.

I noticed that there was/is a lot of talk about having screens made and using magnets. I don't mean to offend anyone, but you do need to remember that there are Patent Rights associated with some products. Most times you can check out the manufacturers web page, or some means of knowing if a product is patented. Then you need to make a decisions as to whether in the long run it is worth the "real price" to pay if infringement occurs.

Good luck in all of your legal endeavors.

I concur! I doubt very much if it would be worthwhile to copy the Magna Shade. It might just cost a lot more than you expect. Also consider the quality of the product that is manufactured by a expert vs someone who is attempting to make a copy.

[az bound]

Originally Posted by Finhawk

I concur! I doubt very much if it would be worthwhile to copy the Magna Shade. It might just cost a lot more than you expect. Also consider the quality of the product that is manufactured by a expert vs someone who is attempting to make a copy.

There is a great deal of difference in doing a diy project and copying an idea for the retail market. It is not considered infringment if not intended compete in the market and is for personal use.
The materals are readily available to anyone at the retail level and are not unique to any one shade manufacturer.
I don't know what qualification makes anyone an expert in the field, much less that anyone would think that the materials are better than those available to the public.
Anyone with basic sewing skills and the ability to make a pattern should be able to make their own at 1/3 the cost and so long as it is for personal use would not constitute a patent infringment.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Wayne M

... but you do need to remember that there are Patent Rights associated with some products.

I was thinking of making my own as well and checked the Magne Shade website. It states patent pending, which means no patent.

DW and I took a look at our driver & passenger windows and are thinking inside covers might be the way to go. We would have to cut some thin flat steel to glue to the frame.

Not sure about the windshield. Living in the great pacific north wet the idea of putting away wet covers does not appeal to me. It is already a constant fight to keep mold away. Our windshield is curved around to the side. I may do a rollup inside and place tracks on the A pillars. Is that how the powered ones you guys talked about work?

[az bound]

Originally Posted by RetiredSKP

Az Bound,

The Tarp & Awning guy came by yesterday to make the pattern. I don't know what that stuff he brought with him was but it looked like a roll of plastic with pin strips like a pin stripe suit. Once he got a piece the width of the motor home cut off it sucked to the windshield like glue. Then he just traced around the windshield with a black magic marker and pulled it off. He said we will have the "fitting" next week to finalize where the magnet will go. Fingers crossed and all that.

RetiredSKP

Sounds like you will soon be in the shade and ready to go.

[RetiredSKP]

Originally Posted by az bound

Sounds like you will soon be in the shade and ready to go.

I got the screen from the maker to experiment with where to put the magnets and what to attract them to. They made a border around the edge of about 1 1/2 inches.

It was very windy, about 30 mph plus, in this area for at least two weeks and I could not do much to experiment. I did determine that I would need to have similar magnets on the inside of the window. I did not like the way fender washers worked nor the way the less expensive Radio Shack magnets worked.

I brought it back to them to put in the magnets. They ended up splitting open the seamed border and putting the magnets in the border, then sewing a line to the sides of each magnet and resewing the seam. They also put a piece of softer material in front of each magnet on the inside to cusion the glass.

The outfit that made my shade made it out of "trampoline material". I suspect it will last a long time but I think it is heavier, by weight I mean, than other materials normally used. I didn't think that anything but a K&J magnet in the shade and another K&J magnet on the inside of the window had enough pull to hold up the weight of this shade. I ordered another ten of the K&J magnets because I decided to use four at the top, four at the bottom, and one on each end.

About four or five days ago we had a day with no wind. My daughter and my wife held the shade on the outside while I positioned magnets on the inside. I taped the magnets up to the glass with masking tape and let that stay three days. Just yesterday I put the double sided tape on the magnets for a more permenet placement. So far so good.

RetiredSKP