I need ideas for vent to suck air out that installs on side of rig instead of top?

mhiscox

Exp. Leader Emeritus
mhiscox - I assume you have to close the vent lid if its really pouring, right?
If the rain comes straight down, no worries. The hinge across the top is continuous, so water running down the side of the truck diverts and then keeps going straight down. If you put the vent into the side of something less straight--a truck canopy, for example--maybe it wouldn't work so well, though it might be fine, too.

If you were in a downpour with simultaneous gale force winds, there might be a little water get in to my setup. All in all, though, you'll have to close a top-hinged vent in a vertical sidewall a good deal less often than you'll need to close the same vent placed horizontally in a roof, so you're certainly no worse off weather-wise.
 

G35Vortec454

Adventurer
Installing the Fantastic vent sideways, I would be concerned about side leaks during a rainstorm, especially when the vehicle is moving, unless the cover gasket is improved for that purpose. I've had 3 of the vents on the roof and sometimes water goes through the closed cover during a heavy downpour while going 65mph.

I also think the aerodynamics of the open cover will be seriously compromised when installed sideways, when the hinge is at the top. I don't think the vent strut is designed for strong crosswinds, as in 65mph.

asonico-albums-rv-picture18618-rv2a.jpg


asonico-albums-rv-picture18610-rv1a.jpg
 
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G35Vortec454

Adventurer
Thats why I'm going to install mine on the back wall with a hood over it pointing down.

That would be the best way for a vertical mount. Get the 2-way fan (revesible fan in and out) so you'd push the air out when driving, otherwise you'll be sucking your own exhaust. That would also need a window open up front.
 

madmax718

Explorer
Fans are only installed on top because hot air rises. lol. Other than that, no reason. Fantastic fans have a lot of good features and good design, and good reliability. you don't want a cheap one that Wont move enough air, or breaks down in a year or two.
 

magentawave

Adventurer
Good point but I'll keep the fan lid shut while driving.

That would be the best way for a vertical mount. Get the 2-way fan (revesible fan in and out) so you'd push the air out when driving, otherwise you'll be sucking your own exhaust. That would also need a window open up front.



I don't want any holes on the top of my vehicle so I'm going to install it as high as possible on the back wall. Since this pulls 900 CFM then I think the way I'll be installing it will be ideal for my needs. Plus I'm going to build a hood cover similar to this but not as bulky looking: http://www.fantasticvent.com/products/ultrabreeze.html

Fans are only installed on top because hot air rises. lol. Other than that, no reason. Fantastic fans have a lot of good features and good design, and good reliability. you don't want a cheap one that Wont move enough air, or breaks down in a year or two.
 
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magentawave

Adventurer
UPDATE: I spoke to someone at Fantastic Vent and the guy said they don't recommend installing it on the back wall because of carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust fumes. I told him I would always keep it shut while driving and he said there is no guarantee that the seal when closed would stop all the fumes. So now I'm thinking I'll install it on the side like Mike Hiscock did on his righteous Jeep and instead of building a hood over it I might build a lip around each side and upper edge to protect it a little more.
 

mhiscox

Exp. Leader Emeritus
Won't that be an aero drag? I like the rear more, but.. I guess they are right.
I can only wish that my vent fan was one of the significant aero problems with my rig, but with that whole barn-door-front/giant cabin thing going on, I doubt it matters. ;)

Anyone thinking there'd be a problem having my sidewall vent open while driving is probably right. I've never done it and, to be honest, it never occurred to me to do so, probably because there's never anyone in the cabin when the truck is moving. If the vent were to be used when moving, you'd have to put the hinge vertically toward the front, and even then, you'd be counting on the lifting mechanism to withstand 65 mph winds. It might or might not be OK, but regardless, I'm pretty sure that the leak problem would be worse with the hinge anywhere except across the top.
 

magentawave

Adventurer
Hah hah, like mhiscox (and far worse no doubt), my little 18' Toyota Sunrader motorhome with the fiberglass shell and cabover is pushing a lot of air so I'm not going to worry about the drag the closed lid might create. It will always be closed while driving anyway and I'm going to epoxy a lip that will surround the closed lid to protect it if it hits something.

Won't that be an aero drag? I like the rear more, but.. I guess they are right.



The cheap side of me was tempted to order the $20 800CFM radiator fan from eBay but then I'd have to deal with a lot of extra work to mount it and I'd still need a cover for it. So after reading only good stuff about Fantastic Vent fans from actual users I ordered the $95 Fantastic Vent fan from Camping World.

Okay, the fan is one less detail to the major rebuild I'm doing that I need to think about. Thanks everyone for participating because it helped a lot!
 

McZippie

Walmart Adventure Camper
Cut a piece of starboard or plastic cutting board to make a frame that will fit a computer cooling fan.
Cut frame so it will fit at the top of a door window.
Cut a hole for computer fan and mount in above plastic frame
Affix a window bug screen to computer fan.

To use, lower window and place fan/plastic frame at top of door window, raise window to secure in place.

I also made a fan for the sliding side window of our motor home.
Works very well, front door fan vent out and rear sliding window vent in.
Many times only use the front door fan, it pulls enough air from the back window to keep cool.

Most computer fans are 12 volts and come in different sizes.
 
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brianjwilson

Some sort of lost...
You aren't supposed to have a fantastic fan open while in transit, even installed on the roof in a conventional manner. The paperwork included with the fan even mentions this (I figure it should be common sense unless a cover is used).
And of course they don't recommend a rear mounted vent for carbon monoxide. This is the day of sue happy Americans. A little common sense goes a long way. ;)

Here in the Pacific Northwet I like the idea of a side (or rear) mounted fantastic fan. They are quiet, reliable and move a lot of air. When room mounted, they can be tricky to leave open just enough without water splashing inside. I've considered mounting one on the side of my JK with Ursa Minor J30 top (no side windows) to circulate air while camping, but I normally keep both "floor" panels installed in the top which would prevent much airflow from upstairs. Instead I may buy a portable fan from fantastic fan to keep upstairs.
 

G35Vortec454

Adventurer
You aren't supposed to have a fantastic fan open while in transit, even installed on the roof in a conventional manner. The paperwork included with the fan even mentions this (I figure it should be common sense unless a cover is used).
And of course they don't recommend a rear mounted vent for carbon monoxide. This is the day of sue happy Americans. A little common sense goes a long way. ;)

If I couldn't use my Fantastic fan while in transit, I'm returning it for refund :) I'd like to see where the user instructions say that. I have the remote control unit so I can turn the fan on or off anytime, in transit or not.


http://www.fantasticvent.com/operating/how_to_operate_assets/model_6600.pdf

I have the unit with rain sensor; my fan stays open and powered 24x7, even when the motrhome is parked at the RV storage lot, and even when the A/C is running. I rarely manually shutoff the fan. I'm addicted to it :)
 
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trailscape

Explorer
The radiator fan showed up fast and I can tell you it is fairly loud. I think I'd compare it to a vacuum. I'm trying to run it in different locations to test for ideal exhaust/air exchange.

I may just get the fantastic fan and cut a big hole in the roof of my topper.. I'm a little worried about structural integrity and leaks. Most of my roof is also taken up by a rack and a 100w solar panel.

Don't mind my crazy set up here, just a quick wire up to test. There's a small thermostat wired in there. It would be nice if I could use it to vent both the cab and topper.
IMG_20130802_151401.jpg
 

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