Fantastic Fan in a back door??

[Free Range Chicken]

Good evening dear friends!

Mostly inspired by this forum and Bob's page, I just got an Nissan NV high roof a few weeks ago and am planning on converting it.
In order to leave space in the roof for either solar panels and an rv air conditioner, I was thinking of putting the fantastic fan in the backdoor, just place it in the highest section of the door ( there is plenty of space for a 14.5" square), just place it as close to the ceiling as possible.( perhaps a few inches below it)

I am thinking of also getting the vent cover for rain and install it facing downwards, so the rain would not be an issue.

Also, the van's exhaust is clos to the end of the van but facing to one side (does not aim backwards), and I'd install the fan on the opposite/ furthermost door so that carbon monoxide does not becomes an issue. In any case I got already a couple of carbon monoxide detectors to be able to sleep safely.

Besides the above considerations, Is there any disadvantage on installing the fan in a backdoor / side ( as high as possible , closest as possible to the ceiling instead of on roof top? Keep in mind I got a high roof.

Thanks everyone for reading and have a safe / peaceful dwelling

 

[ZOFCHAK]

The first issue I can think of would be loss of stealth (People can see and hear the fan much more easily on the sides of the vehicle than on the top). A more serious issue may be the design of the fan itself. The fans are fairly water tight when mounted on a roof, but the overlapping design of the cover may not perform so well on it's side. Also as far as I know the fantastic fans are designed for horizontal installation. Installing one vertically may put too much stress on the fan and could lead to premature failure, vibrations or noise issues.

Really at right around 15" they don't take up much roof space. Could you perhaps incorporate two smaller solar panels on each side of the fan so that you would not be losing much?

 

[Free Range Chicken]

Thanks for thoughts, I agree that I'll lose some stealth but its a cargo van with no Windows and it'll be a white cargo van with a white fan cover, so I think I'll still be able to dwell in the city somewhat stealthy.

I have plans to use as much electric as possible for heating / cooling and even cooking. Thus, solar panels on top of the roof are a big priority. I'll be with shore power a good amount of days but I'll be stealth in the city for a good amount of days also...

I appreciate the share of knowledge I think I'll get it and test it operating sideways for a couple of days and post my results.

 

[Reducto]

I recall someone posting detailed pictures in the yahoo vandweller group about a year ago who did exactly what you describe. He put two fans in the upper portion of the back doors on his NV. Sorry I can't give much more info than that, I left that group a while ago. I'd suggest joining the group and see if you can find anything in search.

 

[Patrick46]

the way fan motors are made these days, I can't see why you'd have any problem whatsoever with this idea and installation.
I think you'll be just fine.


as for the stealth.....eh, I don't put much faith in it. It's more of a mindset than a doing.

 

[Zil]

heating, cooking, cooling with electric is very difficult, if not imposable, using solar and battery banks.

 

[akrvbob]

I'm looking forward to your results once it's installed! Be sure to take some pictures!
Bob

 

[Free Range Chicken]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I spent time trying to find the thread that Reducto mentioned but I had no luck.

From all your feedback it sounds like it's doable to install in a back door. I'll post feedback once I finish my testing.

Thanks again.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I saw a utube sprinter conversion that did it as well

 

[Reducto]

Here's a link to some pictures - hopefully it will make it easier to find the rest of the stuff he posted:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/vandwellers/files/Add MaxxAir Fans to BackDoor/