Where to place Fantastic Vent?

[mahu]

Reading nihil-perditi's post about cutting a big hole in the roof for a sun roof and questions about structural integrity reminded me of an ongoing question I have about where best to place the fan.

Looks like all fans require a 14x14 opening but there is a max of 13.5 inches between the ribs of the roof. There are a longer section in front of the first rib and behind the last rib in the back but both areas have seals that'd have to be cut.

So, where did all of you put the Fantastics and Maxx fans without cutting into ribs or seams? Do they really require a 14x14 opening or can the fan opening be squeezed between ribs being 13.5 inches apart?

[wollip]

Mahu -

 

Good to hear from you - hope that your conversion is going well.

Nearly 3 years since I installed mine in the forward position between the first and second ribs - centered left to right.

You will want to follow instructions and provide a full 14 inch square opening.

Memory tells me that to obtain 14" front to back I had to partially cut the welding flange (where what I call the pinch welds are located) down the sides of two facing ribs.

It shouldn't effect the integrity of the ribs.

I am in the South and must have AC - otherwise I would have put my fan in the back.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[KMG]

Good Luck.  Take pictures.

Edited June 11, 2016 by KMG

[TX MARSHMALLOW]

I placed mine in the back.  It fits fine between the ribs with minimal cutting and no loss in structural integrity. I will get some better photos but it's difficult to upload due to my horrible internet connection. 

 

[mahu]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll probably go with either the second or third between the ribs area next week.

[mahu]

Ran into a lovely couple (Janel and Jeff) in Tahoe yesterday spotting their converted NV2500 high roof on a roadside campground. Of course we pulled over and chatted about NV and conversion. Lots of great suggestions.

One thing Jeff was saying that he had heard about spot welds popping and creating rattling when putting the fan between the rib and that's why he put it infront of the first rib cutting the seam instead.

Any of you who placed it between ribs have had any issues along what he mentioned?

[wollip]

No noise problem (rattling) on mine - yet. And haven't heard of any elsewhere.

After installation of the fan and after finishing up the ceiling installation, noise or a water leak seem like the prime indicators of a problem.

Seems to me that noise (rattling) could be caused by different things besides failed spot welds.

If you will measure openings between each set of ribs, I think you will find that the available space varies slightly with each set. If that is the case, you might want to choose the set with the most clearance. After the cut, reinforce the cut with some jbweld or similar product if you're still concerned. You should be able to work it between the metal layers somewhat.

I can't recommend placing anything forward of the first rib. Structural integrity aside - I wouldn't want the extra noise it might create being that far forward.

But, pick your spot and let us know how it all works out for future reference.

[KMG]

I'd like to know if the people with broken spot welds used a cut off wheel or a reciprocating saw to cut the roof.  I've seen a reciprocating saw blade catch/bind and break near by spot welds.

[wollip]

I'd like to know if the people with broken spot welds used a cut off wheel or a reciprocating saw to cut the roof.  I've seen a reciprocating saw blade catch/bind and break near by spot welds.

Excellent point!

[rodjava]

If you plan to add solar panels to the roof, the location of your fan is critical.  Also, depending on your layout inside the van, the fan should be located near where you would want to exhaust odors. In my case, I have a composting toilet near the rear doors and would want to vent out these odors.  Also, in my case, I have two 150 watt solar panels on the roof.

 

Just my opinion. but Fantastic fans are over rated.  Great customer service is what everybody raves about when their fans are not working. But why are so many people needing to have their fans worked on?

 

I have a Max Air fan which works perfectly. No need to call customer service.  The remote is far better than Fantastic fan remote and the Max Air fan has more features and is very quiet.  The best feature of the Max Air fan is that you don't need to close the fan cover when it's raining.  The looks of the Max Air cover is striking.  Some people install a Max Air fan cover on top of their Fantastic fans.

 

Again, just my humble opinion.

 

Rod

 

Edited June 22, 2016 by rodjava

[Chris Dempsey]

I installed a Fantastic fan about 18 months ago and have had no issues. If you think about it, the fan itself, sealed and through-bolted with SS bolts actually adds back some rigidity to the structure. It’s a relatively small opening and very little of the rib is removed. I used a grinder to cut through the roof, so no welds were popped. I posted a few pics under NV Cargo. Great fan.

[breeze]

If you plan to add solar panels to the roof, the location of your fan is critical.  Also, depending on your layout inside the van, the fan should be located near where you would want to exhaust odors. In my case, I have a composting toilet near the rear doors and would want to vent out these odors.  Also, in my case, I have two 150 watt solar panels on the roof.

 

Just my opinion. but Fantastic fans are over rated.  Great customer service is what everybody raves about when their fans are not working. But why are so many people needing to have their fans worked on?

 

I have a Max Air fan which works perfectly. No need to call customer service.  The remote is far better than Fantastic fan remote and the Max Air fan has more features and is very quiet.  The best feature of the Max Air fan is that you don't need to close the fan cover when it's raining.  The looks of the Max Air cover is striking.  Some people install a Max Air fan cover on top of their Fantastic fans.

 

Again, just my humble opinion.

 

Rod

 

 

 

 

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

 

That looks perfect. I like your logic of placing the stool shed far away too (as well as your fan/cover choice.) At first, I thought the added light may be better centralized in the length of the van, but the logistics of the stool room makes sense (a smelly subject :-) As well it may be a perfect use of space beside my motorcycle (w/ storage cabinets beside it), opening up the front floor space for living.

 

Normally, you only get one cut in the roof, so this is a hard decision for everyone. Thanks for your timely pics!

Your van looks sharp!

Edited July 28, 2017 by breeze