Resolved Newmar vent panels not staying in place

[MarkMaxPayne]

On my 2023 Newman New Aire my three vent panels keep dropping from the ceiling. It appears that the magnets they compression fit into the wood panel frames with some CA glue keep popping out of the wood. Once enough of them work their way loose from their sockets the entire panel drops.

I've tried prying them off the metal rail they adhere to, pushing them back into the wooden frame where it has been milled to hold them, as well as gluing them back in (thick CA). They still pop out as CA and magnets don't adhere well.

I am thinking of four possible solutions. One is to use strips of magnetic tape with 3M adhesive on the wooden frame (stapled). The second is to bore the magnet holes out deeper so they are flush with the wood and apply a super thin acrylic over them (will the magnets still hold the panel in place if not making physical contact with the metal frame in the ceiling?). Third is to try a coat of epoxy over the magnets and wood (may try this first). Lastly, is to punt and instead attach some velcro, stapling to the wood and some epoxy to attatch compainion side to the metal frame.

Anybody else having this issue? If so, what has worked to solve the problem in your Newmar?

Best,
-Mark

 

[Neal]

Well, I sure wouldn't want to get hit in the head by one of those! I know on mine they use strong magnets. Maybe yours need to be replaced? I would imagine epoxy is probably holding them in? Be careful, dangerous situation it seems.

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

Well, I sure wouldn't want to get hit in the head by one of those! I know on mine they use strong magnets. Maybe yours need to be replaced? I would imagine epoxy is probably holding them in? Be careful, dangerous situation it seems.

The magnets are super strong (appear to be the more expensive rare earth magnets) but perhaps the wood wasn't dry enough before they bored the pockets to push the magnets into to ensure a tight compression fit as the wooden frame dried out over time. I have a woodshop at home so I could make replacement panels (or fill the holes in with epoxy and bore new pockets of a slightly smaller diameter on the CNC). That said, if others have experienced and solved this issue I'm all ears as I like easy and proven answers.

Best,
-Mark

 

[Kevin D Pem]

The magnetic Flux is weaken when a gap is introduced!!!
I don't know for sure but if the magnets are close together they will hold better if the field alternates.. you might put up a picture!!!

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

The magnetic Flux is weaken when a gap is introduced!!!
I don't know for sure but if the magnets are close together they will hold better if the field alternates.. you might put up a picture!!!

Magnets are working perfectly. I'll post pics in a bit. Basically the magnets in the wood panel frame stick so wonderfully strong to the metal bracket in the ceiling as they cling to that they rip themselves out of the wood panel, staying attached to the metal in the ceiling frame. When enough magnets come out of their mounts in the removable wooden panel, the panel drops leaving a bunch of individual magnets stuck to the ceiling.

Best,
-Mark

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Not knowing the specifics of this wood ceiling panel, is there space to use a small and thin piece of metal/steel that could be screwed to the wood? Thinking something along the lines of the metal side of a magnetic latch.
12Pack Magnetic Door Catch - 15lb High Magnetic Plastic Heavy Duty Latch for Kitchen Bathroom Cupboard Wardrobe Closet Closures Cabinet Door Drawer Magnets Screws Included Amazon.com

This could hold the magnet in place while also being magnetized. It could also be countersunk into the wood.

I would assume a slight weakening of the magnetic field, but not as much as just creating an epoxy gap that is not magnetic.

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

Here are some picks for the front panel (other 2 similar) after the previous attempts to remove all the dislodged magnets from the metal on the ceiling and trying to reglue them into the wooden panel pockets. The glue sat for a week before putting the panels back in place in the ceiling.

1st photo is a hanging panel after enough magnets came unglued, 2nd photo shows the 9 magnets that came out of the wooden panel pockets and stayed stuck to the ceiling bracket (the silver dots), 3rd is a close-up of a couple of the the empty magnet pockets where the pocket/glue gave way.

I think perhaps Newmar didn't think this magnetic panel attachment idea through all the way.

Best,
-Mark

 

[team bradfield]

Ours dropped coming back from Maine, the wife pushed it back up (in) while we were in motion, I never did see it, I tried to take it down when we got parked, no luck, cannot figure out how to lower it, these pictures help, wife confirmed this is exactly what she saw while ours was down. thanks for sharing

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Here are some picks for the front panel (other 2 similar) after the previous attempts to remove all the dislodged magnets from the metal on the ceiling and trying to reglue them into the wooden panel pockets. The glue sat for a week before putting the panels back in place in the ceiling.

1st photo is a hanging panel after enough magnets came unglued, 2nd photo shows the 9 magnets that came out of the wooden panel pockets and stayed stuck to the ceiling bracket (the silver dots), 3rd is a close-up of a couple of the the empty magnet pockets where the pocket/glue gave way.

I think perhaps Newmar didn't think this magnetic panel attachment idea through all the way.

Best,
-Mark

So, when you think magnetic the first thing that comes to mind is metal! Well at least that is what comes into mine!

It is great that they didn't finish what was behind the vent. At least that is what I'm thinking!

The answer in my book, is to get the multi tool out and slot from the side of the frame, under the bore for the magnetic!

Then slip a washer or piece of sheet metal in the slot. If you want glue the magnets to that and you will have increased the holding power considerably.

 

[Wemustrv]

On my 2023 Newman New Aire my three vent panels keep dropping from the ceiling. It appears that the magnets they compression fit into the wood panel frames with some CA glue keep popping out of the wood. Once enough of them work their way loose from their sockets the entire panel drops.

I've tried prying them off the metal rail they adhere to, pushing them back into the wooden frame where it has been milled to hold them, as well as gluing them back in (thick CA). They still pop out as CA and magnets don't adhere well.

I am thinking of four possible solutions. One is to use strips of magnetic tape with 3M adhesive on the wooden frame (stapled). The second is to bore the magnet holes out deeper so they are flush with the wood and apply a super thin acrylic over them (will the magnets still hold the panel in place if not making physical contact with the metal frame in the ceiling?). Third is to try a coat of epoxy over the magnets and wood (may try this first). Lastly, is to punt and instead attach some velcro, stapling to the wood and some epoxy to attatch compainion side to the metal frame.

Anybody else having this issue? If so, what has worked to solve the problem in your Newmar?

Best,
-Mark

I am not sure CA is however could you make small metal plates the size of the magnets and mount them with a countersunk screw where the magnets mount in the wood? Being that you have the wood shop you could use the router to add a little depth to where the magnets currently mount or make new pieces. I love my wood shop. It comes in handy with the coach work.

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

I tried a cheap fix today, but will have to see if it stands the test of time. I ended up buying 2 packs of these magnets with countersunk holes in the center and screws off of Amazon. 2 packs as each ceiling panel has 22 magnets. Amazon product ASIN B09LYWGGFR. It's the 10mm diameter ones to match the size of the factory ones, not the 8mm.

I ended up collecting up all the magnets that Newmar had used from either where they had ripped out of the panel pockets and stayed attached to the metal ceiling frame or by using a pair or pliers to pull them out of the pockets in the wooden drop panels.

I then marked a drill bit to the depth I wanted to drill pilot holes for the screws that came with the new magnets. After drilling all the holes in each of the magnet pockets in the wooden drop panel (centered in the existing now empty pockets) I then pushed the new magents into the pockets and screwed them into place. No more magnets coming out of the wooden drop panel!!!

Now here is where it got sketchy and plans changed. When I remounted the drop panel into the ceiling it was pretty obvious the new magents were not going to be strong enough as they were much weaker than the previous magnets. Solution? I simply stacked each of the old magnets onto each of the new magnets. Now when the panel is first inserted Newmar's previous magnets grab hold of both the metal frame in the ceiling and onto the new magnets and screws firmly attached to the wooden drop panels.

When I remove the panels all of Newmar's old magnets stay attached to the metal frame in the ceiling. That said, I am not left with a worthless drop frame with empty magnet pockets as my new ones are still firmly attached. To reaffix the drop panel just push it back in place and I can hear all the magnets, new and old, re-engage again.

The drop panel hangs about 1/4" lower than it used to, but the metal mounting frame bracket was recessed enough for this not to matter.

I suppose one could to similar with metal washers and screws or metal plates and screws vs these weak magnets with counter sunk holes in them, but I do believe this provides a stonger, less frustrating hold than the factory solution.

Best,
-Mark

 

[Canaddar]

I tried a cheap fix today, but will have to see if it stands the test of time. I ended up buying 2 packs of these magnets with countersunk holes in the center and screws off of Amazon. 2 packs as each ceiling panel has 22 magnets. Amazon product ASIN B09LYWGGFR. It's the 10mm diameter ones to match the size of the factory ones, not the 8mm.

I ended up collecting up all the magnets that Newmar had used from either where they had ripped out of the panel pockets and stayed attached to the metal ceiling frame or by using a pair or pliers to pull them out of the pockets in the wooden drop panels.

I then marked a drill bit to the depth I wanted to drill pilot holes for the screws that came with the new magnets. After drilling all the holes in each of the magnet pockets in the wooden drop panel (centered in the existing now empty pockets) I then pushed the new magents into the pockets and screwed them into place. No more magnets coming out of the wooden drop panel!!!

Now here is where it got sketchy and plans changed. When I remounted the drop panel into the ceiling it was pretty obvious the new magents were not going to be strong enough as they were much weaker than the previous magnets. Solution? I simply stacked each of the old magnets onto each of the new magnets. Now when the panel is first inserted Newmar's previous magnets grab hold of both the metal frame in the ceiling and onto the new magnets and screws firmly attached to the wooden drop panels.

When I remove the panels all of Newmar's old magnets stay attached to the metal frame in the ceiling. That said, I am not left with a worthless drop frame with empty magnet pockets as my new ones are still firmly attached. To reaffix the drop panel just push it back in place and I can hear all the magnets, new and old, re-engage again.

The drop panel hangs about 1/4" lower than it used to, but the metal mounting frame bracket was recessed enough for this not to matter.

I suppose one could to similar with metal washers and screws or metal plates and screws vs these weak magnets with counter sunk holes in them, but I do believe this provides a stonger, less frustrating hold than the factory solution.

Best,
-Mark

I have a 2017 DS. My roof louvers also have the magnet attachments to keep things in place......however, mine are much bigger than yours. I have never had any issues at all. This holds it very secure. There are 4 magnets per panel. Might be worth trying to get these magnets from Newmar and retrofitting them.

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

I have a 2017 DS. My roof louvers also have the magnet attachments to keep things in place......however, mine are much bigger than yours. I have never had any issues at all. This holds it very secure. There are 4 magnets per panel. Might be worth trying to get these magnets from Newmar and retrofitting them.

View attachment 22414View attachment 22415

Admittedly I like how Newmar used to do it (your example), but in their newer designs they have hardly any real estate to mount a magnet to anymore along the wooden frame. It looks like the older style has more than 1.5" to mount large magnets and striker plates whereas the newer style (used on mine) has < 0.5" (hence the small little round magnets). The small ones would work if they 1) drilled deeper pockets to hold 2 in a single hole; 2) used screws to mount them vs relying on the diameter of the pocket hole and some glue.

Best,
-Mark

 

[Canaddar]

They make magnets of all shapes and sizes. Maybe try something like this? Amazon product ASIN B0B3X78GFH
It really does not like Amazon links. Can't get it to post. Do a search for rectangular magnets with holes.

On the other mating surface, screw in a piece of metal for the magnet to bond with. Going with a shape like this might be able to fit with your more limited space.