Small vent fan?
- Thread starter bunce1260
- Start date
rayra
Expedition Leader
If you already have the roof vent, I'd consider going with a large diameter computer case fan, 12vdc native, very slim, near-silent and made for moderate to high cfm air movement.
As an example, a Thermaltake 200mm (about 8"), 28dba, 140cfm. $14.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106224
That Astro is about what, ~~200cu'? That thing will change out all your air every 2mins. They make those fans in almost any size, moving from 20cfm to 140+. And with a rheostat in the power circuit, you can vary the speed for both noise and total air movement.
eta
alternatively, you could readily fabricate a window insert with fans mounted to it, say a row of (3) 6" fans that could be fitted to to top of a front door window, held in place by the window itself.
As an example, a Thermaltake 200mm (about 8"), 28dba, 140cfm. $14.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106224
That Astro is about what, ~~200cu'? That thing will change out all your air every 2mins. They make those fans in almost any size, moving from 20cfm to 140+. And with a rheostat in the power circuit, you can vary the speed for both noise and total air movement.
eta
alternatively, you could readily fabricate a window insert with fans mounted to it, say a row of (3) 6" fans that could be fitted to to top of a front door window, held in place by the window itself.
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6" Vanair vent fan.
jimi breeze
jimi breeze
I have never anything but the standard sized vent. My recommendation is the Fantastic vent fans with a multi speed switch.
I like the size of rhe vanair but am a bit worried about cutting a circular hole in my roof, a square hole scares me enough.
Thinking about making something out of pc fans. Maybe fab a perspex panel with some fans in it for the tilt out window of my Chevy Astro.
Ideas and thoughts welcome
Thinking about making something out of pc fans. Maybe fab a perspex panel with some fans in it for the tilt out window of my Chevy Astro.
Ideas and thoughts welcome
mezmochill
Is outside
Are you plan on selling the van later.
If its for recreation, modify as needed. After you put your first hole in the van, its not so bad
. You'll end up with something thats functionally exactly how you want it. Are you cooking in the van, average humidity your dealing with, just for sleeping, summer temps??
The vent I have is probably overkill, but I also I'm not wishing I had more airflow at times, haha!!
If its for recreation, modify as needed. After you put your first hole in the van, its not so bad
. You'll end up with something thats functionally exactly how you want it. Are you cooking in the van, average humidity your dealing with, just for sleeping, summer temps??The vent I have is probably overkill, but I also I'm not wishing I had more airflow at times, haha!!
rayra
Expedition Leader
You could replace one of those tilt out windows with perspex / plexiglass with a large fan mounted in it. With just a bit of handiness you can use the window for a template and even use it to make a pattern mold / buck and warm the plex in your oven and shape it to match the curves of the glass. Once it is set, cut and add the fan to it. A vented window you can swap in for trips.
Or just make a frame with the fan suspended in it that fits on the interior side of the opened window. You just set it in place when desired. And that way you don't have to make any permanent holes in the vehicle.
http://www.amazon.com/NICRO-Night-Plus-Solar-N20703S/dp/B00FFDCPW8
i had a buddy install one similar to this on his campershell to keep in the interior temps down. works great, doesnt leak water.
i had a buddy install one similar to this on his campershell to keep in the interior temps down. works great, doesnt leak water.
1stDeuce
Explorer
The problem with using a computer case vent and making a replacement window is closing the vent at times...
That Van Air vent looks awesome!! It closes up tight, and is fairly compact. A 20w solar panel would run it fairly well too, so you could just leave it open and on and it would run during the day w/o draining the battery. Be great for moving a little air through a truck topper when camping, or just parked in the sun.
As for cutting a hole in the roof, I wouldn't worry about it. A small round hole is certainly more structurally preferable to a large square one, and easier to cut too. Just use a sabre saw with a metal blade. The Astro has a nice flat spot on the roof that's made for a vent, so you could just center the round one in the square vent spot and pop it in.
If you do end up using one vent, let us all know what you think of it!
Chris
That Van Air vent looks awesome!! It closes up tight, and is fairly compact. A 20w solar panel would run it fairly well too, so you could just leave it open and on and it would run during the day w/o draining the battery. Be great for moving a little air through a truck topper when camping, or just parked in the sun.
As for cutting a hole in the roof, I wouldn't worry about it. A small round hole is certainly more structurally preferable to a large square one, and easier to cut too. Just use a sabre saw with a metal blade. The Astro has a nice flat spot on the roof that's made for a vent, so you could just center the round one in the square vent spot and pop it in.
If you do end up using one vent, let us all know what you think of it!
Chris
scottishpinz
Adventurer
I found a little solar power vent. You can see it fitted here
http://www.pinzgauer.4x4man.com/Expedition_Ready.html
For sale on amazon in UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...liid=I3PXM0IOLY36UH&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl
Just needed painted to match. Has run now for many years without fault.
http://www.pinzgauer.4x4man.com/Expedition_Ready.html
For sale on amazon in UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...liid=I3PXM0IOLY36UH&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl
Just needed painted to match. Has run now for many years without fault.
I used a fantastic 2 speed bi-directional fan on my Astro. There is a square boss on the roof already to accommodate one. The standard fantastic fan is a bit larger than the boss, but if you get a little creative it fits well. All-in-all I was very happy with the set up. Granted I live in the South West so moving air is a bit more important.
I did end up blacking out the inside of the dome as I hate light intrusion when I'm sleeping -- pretty easy mod.
Sadly I don't have any good pictures of the fan and I sold the truck earlier this year.
-vanroth
I did end up blacking out the inside of the dome as I hate light intrusion when I'm sleeping -- pretty easy mod.
Sadly I don't have any good pictures of the fan and I sold the truck earlier this year.
-vanroth
Just to update this post, we went with the Ventline VP 543 here, http://amzn.to/1IMkkJ7 . Installing was fairly simple, I'm currently working on house battery with solar panel ideas so I don't have a review just yet. I'll swing back round once we've put it through its paces.
pugslyyy
Expedition Vehicle Engineer Guy
As others have said, lots of options out there. For a full roof vent fan the thermostatically controlled Fantastic Fans are hard to beat. I'm also a big fan (pun intended) of computer case fans (which are 12V most often). I have 4 providing power ventilation to my dometic fridge stack, and another one replaced the exhaust fan for the stove (which seemed to make a lot of noise but not move much air)
Computer case fans are inexpensive, quiet, and efficient. What's not to love?
Computer case fans are inexpensive, quiet, and efficient. What's not to love?