Fantastic Fan Installation

[JustJane]

Hello All, I'm wondering if there are any type of businesses that would install a vent fan in a minivan for me?  I'm pretty sure I'm way to chicken! Thanks guys, JustJane

 

[highdesertranger]

any body shop or RV repair can handle it and some regular mechanics could. or you could wait until the van build or the RTR. the RTR really isn't for this but you can find someone there to do it. just remember it's like anything else it's up to you to screen who ever is doing the work if it's a business or a private party. highdesertranger

 

[JustJane]

Many thanks, highdesertranger - great to know! Gotta have that fan in a minivan! JustJane

 

[DannyB1954]

Any shop that can install a sunroof, could install the vent.

 

[travelaround]

I found a local "RV Handyman" through Yelp. He said he'd charge me 100 per hour and it usually takes less than an hour to install. I'm getting the fan from Amazon next week.

 

[DannyB1954]

I found a local "RV Handyman" through Yelp. He said he'd charge me 100 per hour and it usually takes less than an hour to install. I'm getting the fan from Amazon next week.

I prefer the Maxx Air brand over the Fantastic. You can open it in the rain because it has a built in cover. With the Fantastic brand, you have to buy a separate cover and it is a bit large.

 

[BinDerSmokDat]

I prefer the Maxx Air brand over the Fantastic. You can open it in the rain because it has a built in cover. With the Fantastic brand, you have to buy a separate cover and it is a bit large.

+1

A fan is the combined "AC Unit, Ceiling Fan, Kitchen Exhaust Fan and possibly Bathroom Exhaust Fan" of your build.
The Maxx Air more than any other feature except maybe the bed makes my van a home on wheels. 
In addition to being able to leave it open in the rain AND while driving down the road where it acts as a passive vent at the back of a vehicle, other factors I like are...

Reversibility (exhaust or intake)
10 speeds (from silent running to B52 taking off), so you can set to sound volume, air volume and battery power usage you prefer.
Can run with vent closed to act as a ceiling fan. 
Remote control
Power open/close
Not much taller than a standard vent when closed.
Thermostat setting to turn fan on at a given temp to exhaust heat, shut off when desired temp returns.

I've used all of these features extensively this summer and they make the difference between "bearable" and "comfortable."

The 10 speeds are very useful, [font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I have[/font][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif] run the MaxxAir all night up to speed 3 and was still able to [/font][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]start the vehicle at night before I had the house battery system wired.[/font] According to the below review, the Fantastic falls somewhere in the middle of the Maxx Air range in both amp draw and air flow. So with the Maxx air you get greater range to go quieter or draw much more air.

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/...an-vs-maxxfan-comparison-including-amp-usage/ 

If I get dirty/sweaty during the day riding motorcycles or working around camp, it is nice to be able to reach into van door and hit remote to start exhausting hot air without having to climb into van and up onto the bed to open and start the fan.

The ceiling fan feature with vent closed is also nice in temperate to cool climates. Sometimes it is too chilly at night to draw air in, but sleeping beside someone is a little too warm. The ceiling fan mode generates some airflow to keep things comfortable.

You can drive with the MaxxFan open and off to act as a passive exhaust vent, so air flows from vents or open windows through the van and out. You can skip AC to get a little bit better fuel economy on borderline hot days on the road.

 

[highdesertranger]

nice review Bin der. highdesertranger

 

[Giuseppe Hardblast]

Where you located? I've done a few of them. You can check mine out to know I'm legit. The shops charge a lot. It's a pretty simple job.

 

[VanFan]

any body shop or RV repair can handle it and some regular mechanics could....

I haven't been able to find anyone willing to install one on a Chevy Express (other than Camping World, where they seemed very unsure and quoted nearly $900!).  Am I using the wrong words?!

 

[highdesertranger]

what area are you in? highdesertranger

 

[Giuseppe Hardblast]

Yikes. My friend got a quote from a rv dealership. They quoted her 600+. She asked me and I did it for 100$ and a full course meal. Took me about 2 hours. She paid like 200 for parts I think.

 

[LoupGarou]

Cutting the hole in the roof is easy, Red Green could do it. It’s wiring that sucker up that a shop will find problematic.

 

[VanFan]

what area are you in?  highdesertranger

Glad this thread resurfaced, 'cause I couldn't find it again!  So...  I live near a major city and should have lots of options.  Had not thought of looking for shops that do sunroof installations, so I will check a few of those.

 

[VanFan]

Cutting the hole in the roof is easy, Red Green could do it. It’s wiring that sucker up that a shop will find problematic.

Three things have stymied potential installers:  1)  Ridges on the roof; 2) headliner on the ceiling/depth; 3) the fact that I don't want it wired to anything.  (I just want a fused male 12 volt plug).  None of these seem like overwhelming obstacles, but I have yet to find a shop that "wants to mess with it."

Do ya'll think it's worth the fuss and funds for an older van?  I'm working on improving our bug screens while I come to terms with this.

 

[crofter]

Thanks for helping me decide the maxx VS fantastic question. Now to cut the hole in the roof.    ~crofter

 

[Giuseppe Hardblast]

How deep are the ridges? Some putty tape should even that out then do a good caulk job.

 

[crofter]

Where you located? I've done a few of them. You can check mine out to know I'm legit. The shops charge a lot.  It's a pretty simple job.

Couple of questions. The Maxx fan does not come with roof sealant for around the opening.  What is recommended? Also is stated that the roof mounting is 1 inch thick minimum.  I will be cutting through just the metal roof (cargo van). Does it need to be supported by a frame of some sort in addition to the steel of the roof?   ~crofter

 

[Giuseppe Hardblast]

Get some dicor self leveling caulk and putty tape. Doest need support. Just cut the hole where you want. 1 inch shouldn't be a problem. The cover is like 4-5inches deep. Just make sure it doesn't exceed that which it shouldnt. You can always cut the cover down an inch or so if needed.

 

[crofter]

Thank you Guiseppe Hardblast for that information. I watched some you tube videos (how I learn) and have the stuff on order to install the fan next week. In all the videos I watched, the builders used about a 2x2 square frame around the fan so that the steel roof doesn't flex. Seems to be the standard. It would seem to me that the extra weight of the wood would make it flex more.    ~crofter