Ventilation

[Radar]

Hi Everyone - So I've come up against a problem.  My Dodge ProMaster came with a roof rack, that now has my solar panels attached to it - in other words - it's not coming off.  My problem is that there is no open area within the structure of the roof rack where I can fit a Fantastic Fan.  Yikes - how do I get ventilation.  One thought is to use a couple of small (I think 4 to 6 inch) round solar vent/fans.  Has anyone used these before?  They would not move the same amount of air as a Fantastic Fan, but something is better than nothing.  I'm stumped.

Any other thoughts??

Thanks.

 

[Matlock]

Someone has a thread here using a couple solar vents in their van high-top build. He recommended using a larger version because in his south-western location they couldn't move enough air to his satisfaction. Hopefully they will chime in...

How much clearance do you have between your roof and the roof rack with panels attached? The solar vents might not fit/work, but it may be possible to wire in a couple manual opening, power switched type - 6" round vents that would work for you.

Personally I wanted to stay away from adding holes in my roof and possibly shading my panels with a vent so I opted for a wall mount fan. Others have removed a door window and made a frame out of plex and installed the fantastic fan that way.

 

[Free Range Chicken]

You can put the fantastic fan in the upper side of rear door.

 

[MikeRuth]

If you could post a photo of the van roof ideas may increase.

 

[Radar]

You can put the fantastic fan in the upper side of rear door.

Can't, both back doors have windows. /:

 

[Radar]

Someone has a thread here using a couple solar vents in their van high-top build. He recommended using a larger version because in his south-western location they couldn't move enough air to his satisfaction. Hopefully they will chime in...

How much clearance do you have between your roof and the roof rack with panels attached? The solar vents might not fit/work, but it may be possible to wire in a couple manual opening, power switched type - 6" round vents that would work for you.

Personally I wanted to stay away from adding holes in my roof and possibly shading my panels with a vent so I opted for a wall mount fan. Others have removed a door window and made a frame out of plex and installed the fantastic fan that way.

Yeah, I'm not keen on putting multiple holes in my roof.  So, wondering if there is an effective way to move air with just one or two interior fans and maybe putting in two vents http://store.stepvanparts.com/SIDE-VENTS-STEPVAN.HTM in the upper portions of my rear doors, and purchasing some front window vents http://www.eurocampers.com/2014--2016-Dodge-ProMaster-Airvent-Cab-Window-Inserts_p_1101.html that I found online.

It's just me, and no animals - and I hope to spend more time outside the van than inside of it.

 

[Radar]

If you could post a photo of the van roof ideas may increase.

Here is one of the roof rack - unfortunately the 'open' area on the roof does not coincide with a space on the inside.  There is a rib on the inside so no can do.
Hope this pic shows.  Wasn't entirely sure I attached it correctly.

 

[TrainChaser]

I looked through Google Images and found this.

"Take my dachshunds on trips most of the time.. mtn biking, hiking, etc.. so, needed a vent fan to keep the van cool for 2-3 hour intervals while on the trail. I chose the 6" diameter vanair vent fan & decided to 'test' it indefinitely in the rear window before committing to cutting the roof - plus removing the conversion headliner and lights looked like a hassle. I ordered a 24x48 piece of 1/4" UV tinted plastic from e-plastics.com - rated for windows. Fan mounted in the window looks factory and really cools the van down with front windows cracked. I also removed all door/wall/ceiling panels and installed r15 fiberglass."
And here's the photo that goes with it: http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv268/jasonfarrington/GMC Savana 2004 AWD/ventairinside.jpg

If you want to see the whole thing, the window vent photos are the last two of the whole series: http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ana-AWD-De-Conversion-(Dodge-Ram-replacement)

 

[Radar]

I looked through Google Images and found this.  

"Take my dachshunds on trips most of the time.. mtn biking, hiking, etc.. so, needed a vent fan to keep the van cool for 2-3 hour intervals while on the trail. I chose the 6" diameter vanair vent fan & decided to 'test' it indefinitely in the rear window before committing to cutting the roof - plus removing the conversion headliner and lights looked like a hassle. I ordered a 24x48 piece of 1/4" UV tinted plastic from e-plastics.com - rated for windows. Fan mounted in the window looks factory and really cools the van down with front windows cracked. I also removed all door/wall/ceiling panels and installed r15 fiberglass."
And here's the photo that goes with it:  http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/vv268/jasonfarrington/GMC Savana 2004 AWD/ventairinside.jpg

If you want to see the whole thing, the window vent photos are the last two of the whole series:  http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ana-AWD-De-Conversion-(Dodge-Ram-replacement)

Oh this looks interesting and promising.  Thank you.  I will definitely look into this.