Roof installation of a Solar/battery ventilator fan

[jnossoff]

Over a year ago I completed installing a roof vent with solar and battery powered fan in the roof/ceiling of my fiberglass truck camper shell.My experience may be of interest and use to some FRV users, so I am posting here. I have attached a description of how I did it.

The solar cell charges a small battery, and it is the battery that runs the fan. So, fan can be used day or night.

I am very pleased with the installation and with the product. It helps remove moisture to reduce inside condensation in rainy and/or cold conditions, but it does not eliminate condensation entirely. With a window cracked open to allow air inflow, it will exhaust some heat, but not much. It comes with two fan blades, and I have only used the exhaust blade, and never the intake fan blade.It runs very quietly, and is not a very strong fan. It was designed to ventilate boat cabins, especially during storage.

If any one wants to try it, I will sell you the hole saw and mandrel for 1/2 price (see Page 1 of attachment), plus shipping. Just Private Message me via FRV. Any questions? Post them here so others can benefit.

There's extensive details, plus references via hyperlinks, in the attached PDFs. I had to break the PDF "How I did it" into 10 smaller files, due to the limitations of the FRV tool for uploading.

[k corbin]

I have seen them at the marine supply stores, they are quite common for using as vents on boats.

[Jane P.]

Joel,
This could solve a problem I am currently trying work through: I’d Iike to install a 12 volt Maxifan in an existing ceiling vent in my aft bathroom. I want to use it as an exhaust unit to maximize air flow flow in the cabin on warm days. I’ll need a powerful fanthst can operate all day and night. Unfortunately, I cannot get power to the bathroom ceiling, and I’d rather not cut a hole in the ceiling of my main cabin.

Reading your thread, perhaps I could install a solar fan in that vent area.

However, before I spin too many wheels ...

Have you ID’d a more powerful solar fan that would operate at the same level as Fantastic Fans or Maxifans?

Can these fans continue operating after dark?

Who else manufactures these vans?

Thanks for your help.