Vent Fan Installation Service

[2TheStreet]

As some of you know I've been converting a chevy express 3500 cargo van into a camper van/bug out vehicle. I have  done all of the work myself thus far BUT I refuse to install a roof vent fan myself because I know I will probably screw it up so I decided to try and find someone to install the vent fan, this is becoming a difficult task. Any recommendations? We have very few Rv service centers and the few that I called either don't do vent fan install or they charge $400 to install it. $400 is pretty steep for something as simple as installing a fan vent. I can't see paying any more than $250 to install it, I'd say it's no more than a 4 hour install at best. The hardest part is cutting a hole in the ceiling and that's easy enough.

I'm thinking about going with a couple of these fans, one for exhaust and another for an incoming fan

 

[B and C]

I would think a body shop could cut the hole and mount/seal the fan into it.  All you would have to do is wire it up if it has a fan in it.  Just a thought.

 

[2TheStreet]

I would think a body shop could cut the hole and mount/seal the fan into it.  All you would have to do is wire it up if it has a fan in it.  Just a thought.

good idea! I'll call some body shops and see what they say. I can do the wiring myself.

 

[TMG51]

I'd do it for a six pack. *shrug*

Also, if you're not going with a Fantastic Fan or any kind of 14x14 cutout, you might consider plumbing in some 12v inline marine blowers instead.
http://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Blowe...35328351&sr=8-2&keywords=inline+marine+blower

I've often thought that if I had a stealth rig, that's the way I'd do my ventilation... the fan wouldn't necessarily have to be on the roof (although it could be). All you need is an intake/exhaust somewhere outside, and the inline fan between that spot and where you want air moved inside.

Couple it with a motor controller and you have true variable speed as well!
http://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Blowe...35328351&sr=8-2&keywords=inline+marine+blower

 

[ramblingvanman]

You are willing to pay $250 for that? Seriously? Are you anywhere in Florida? I will be in Ocala Tomorrow night to look at a van. If you are close, I could come by and do it.

 

[wayne49]

Look for businesses that install aftermarket sunroofs on vehicles.

 

[SoulRaven]

I don't want holes in my roof to start with...

I question those vents that the OP linked to as well. I didn't see any CFM rating. In hot weather, you need to be able to move a large volume of air quickly. I think a fantastic fan is something like 950 CFM, which is a reasonable yard stick to measure by.

 

[masterplumber]

I have a fantastic fan in my trailer, which is about the same size as a van. It will exhaust the hot air out of the trailer in about 2 - 3 minutes with the windows open after being closed up all day. So I think something similar should be adequate. I like the idea of having a second opening for an intake - I have awning style windows and some vents down low, but in a van sometimes the only opening ones are the front doors - and in a given location you may not want to always have them open.
Many people are of the same opinion as Off Grid - I think mainly because they've seen the water damage done from a leaking vent. If they are installed correctly they should never leak unless damaged by a branch or something. The clear and smoked lids can become fragile after a few years in the sun. I bought my Fantastic fan from a vintage trailer parts supplier, and it came with a lid that is still plastic, but is much tougher and has a lower profile - it looks vary close to the old aluminum lids on the vents on old trailers and campers.

 

[TMG51]

I don't want holes in my roof to start with...

I question those vents that the OP linked to as well.  I didn't see any CFM rating.  In hot weather, you need to be able to move a large volume of air quickly.  I think a fantastic fan is something like 950 CFM, which is a reasonable yard stick to measure by.

My van has two of the fans OP linked to, plus I added a Fantastic Fan.

The two round ones work but I don't consider them useful for exchanging the air in the vehicle. More like venting for cooking/moisture. They're much louder than the Fantastic Fan and don't move as much air. I almost never turn them on - I just pop them open for an air point and turn the Fantastic Fan on.

 

[2TheStreet]

I'd do it for a six pack. *shrug*

Also, if you're not going with a Fantastic Fan or any kind of 14x14 cutout, you might consider plumbing in some 12v inline marine blowers instead.
http://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Blowe...35328351&sr=8-2&keywords=inline+marine+blower

I've often thought that if I had a stealth rig, that's the way I'd do my ventilation... the fan wouldn't necessarily have to be on the roof (although it could be). All you need is an intake/exhaust somewhere outside, and the inline fan between that spot and where you want air moved inside.

Couple it with a motor controller and you have true variable speed as well!
http://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Blowe...35328351&sr=8-2&keywords=inline+marine+blower

I've been trying to figure out how to do a custom ventallation set up. That blower look like it would work but where would set up the exhaust? I could probably rig up a removable plate on both windows up front (driver and passenger side).

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

The clear and smoked lids can become fragile after a few years in the sun. I bought my Fantastic fan from a vintage trailer parts supplier, and it came with a lid that is still plastic, but is much tougher and has a lower profile - it looks vary close to the old aluminum lids on the vents on old trailers and campers.

You can get new plastic lids as needed for not a lot of money.  You could just plan on replacing the old lid with a new one every two or three years and it would work out to under ten dollars a year.

The old all-metal vents are still available from VENTLINE  http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-V...37574301&sr=1-6&keywords=ventline+metal+vents

In fact it looks like the also sell replacement metal lids for the vents that currently use plastic ones.

Regards
John

 

[2TheStreet]

Can you install a fantastic fan on the back door? I don't have door windows so I could just just cut a hole out and install it where the window would be. I've seen a few people do that but it;s not a common practice. I wold also worry about the fan coming loose and/or the sealant from slamming the rear door often. I need to come to a solution soon.

 

[MikeRuth]

For the OP, I'd like to suggest you reconsider and use a fantastic or MAXXAir vent fan. Indeed a little more up front cost but they have the features of variable speed, reversible and a lid that can be completely closed in bad weather.
AS Masterplumber said, these babies can move some air!!! I have a single Maxxairr in my van at the rear. I have vent visors on my front windows. Mine has about 8 different speeds and on the second or third up it can ventilate the van of hot air in minutes.

Personally I'm glad I went that route. I can't vouch for the Fantastic Vent but these do make some noise.


Mike

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Can you install a fantastic fan on the back door? I don't have door windows so I could just just cut a hole out and install it where the window would be. I've seen a few people do that but it;s not a common practice. I wold also worry about the fan coming loose and/or the sealant from slamming the rear door often. I need to come to a solution soon.

I'm wondering what would happen as you're driving down the highway at 60 mph?  I mean, I've seen station wagon windows that you just can't keep clean.  The air behind a fast moving object acts funny, sometimes.  I'm wondering if there would be any danger of sucking exhaust in?

Regards
John

 

[MikeRuth]

You could do that. When mounting it you would want to use a Screw and nut instead of the self tapping screws that are supplied. In fact I'd use a screw with a flat washer on the outside, and a lock washer then nut with a blue loctite on the inside. you would still use a butyl mastic tape on the outside and finish sealed over the screw heads and seem with a butyl caulk.

At least that's how I would do it and feel comfortable with it. I'd also make sure the lid was closed when ever I was driving it to avoid the possibility of exhaust gasses coming back in.
The only other negative I can think of right now might be security. Having that where a bad guy could possibly rip it out and get to the lock would be easier.

Mike R

 

[TMG51]

I've been trying to figure out how to do a custom ventallation set up. That blower look like it would work but where would set up the exhaust? I could probably rig up a removable plate on both windows up front (driver and passenger side).

Not sure what your vehicle is, but there are plenty of low profile options...louvers...a vent cap wouldn't be seen in the middle of a tall roof or if obscured by a rack... with that inline blower plumbed in you could even have your intake and exhaust both underneath the vehicle if you REALLY wanted to, although that wouldn't be my first choice.

 

[2TheStreet]

I'm wondering what would happen as you're driving down the highway at 60 mph?  I mean, I've seen station wagon windows that you just can't keep clean.  The air behind a fast moving object acts funny, sometimes.  I'm wondering if there would be any danger of sucking exhaust in?

Regards
John

The fan at the rear door would be set to exhaust air from the van not take air in.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

The fan at the rear door would be set to exhaust air from the van not take air in.

Yes. I actually understood that.  I assumed further that you would not be using it while driving down the road, only when parked.

In the past, I have owned station wagons where the manufacturer specifically warned the owner not to drive down the highway with the rear window rolled down, because that would suck exhaust gas into the station wagon.

That led me to wonder - not to state, just to wonder - whether taking a product designed to be used on a roof, and mounting it on a door, might lead to circumstances where it didn't seal airtight enough and you ended up sucking exhaust gas in as you drove down the road.

Regards
John

 

[highdesertranger]

2thestreet what area are you in? I could lend a hand with the install. I have done more than a few. anything on your rear must be air tight. should only be open when stationary and motor off. highdesertranger

 

[TMG51]

The reason manufacturers state not to drive with your rear windows open is because of the low pressure zone that causes a circulation behind your car while air moves over the top and bottom. I once experienced a real-life proof of this: With a pinhole leak in the rear differential of my Toyota 4runner, the first symptom I noticed was my back glass coated in oil. Because of the circulating low pressure zone, even though the leak was underneath, the spray was all trapped against the back of the vehicle as I drove! I stopped and cleaned it off a couple times before I realized what was going on.

So, if you have a continually open spot on the back of your vehicle, yes, exhaust will come inside as you drive. That's a bad thing.

If you want to add a vent there in such a way you can close it while driving that's fine.