Just added MaxxAir vent covers to the three factory Fantastic Fan vents. Originally inspired after seeing Mike Coachman‘s LD, I had purchased them late last year with the intent of installing them before our trip to Arkansas but ran out of time. Finally got around to installing them yesterday. Thanks to Mike for some technical assistance when I had a problem with the install!
You sure got yourself a nice clean roof Greg.
Jon
You sure got yourself a nice clean roof Greg.
Thanks, Jon. I didn't want to do the install on a dirty roof so I warshed it right before! ;)
Greg, I enjoyed connecting with you from Florida to California via FaceTime yesterday. That made it easy to see where the problem existed and glad it was an easy fix and I didn't have to climb up on your roof. You did that for me. :-) It all looks good up there. Tell Victoria we both say HI! Your invitation to visit here someday is always open.
Mike C.
Thanks Mike, and hi to Elizabeth!
Greg, may I ask what difficulties you ran into? I tried installing these on my 2003, and thought I had it adjusted perfectly….but, after opening the vents with the MaxxAir II’s installed, I could only get the fantastic fan covers to close/retract half way.
I gave up and left the brackets installed to figure it out another day. Had to leave for the 2-week adventure we’re currently on.
Thank you!
Jason
Jason, yes, that’s one of the issues with this cover due to its lower profile (as compared to some of the other covers you see on other RV’s). Mike confirmed that the FF vent covers are not able to fully open. I can open mine perhaps 3/4 of the way.
The problem I had was that the FF vent cover would hang up on the MaxxAir cover when closing. We solved it by moving the MaxxAir cover rearwards by about a quarter inch.
;D
Jason, yes, that’s one of the issues with this cover due to its lower profile (as compared to some of the other covers you see on other RV’s). Mike confirmed that the FF vent covers are not able to fully open. I can open mine perhaps 3/4 of the way.
The problem I had was that the FF vent cover would hang up on the MaxxAir cover when closing. We solved it by moving the MaxxAir cover rearwards by about a quarter inch.
;D
That’s it! That’s the issue I was having (hanging up when closing). I’ll try your solution after we get back.
Thank you!!!
"Mike confirmed that the FF vent covers are not able to fully open. I can open mine perhaps 3/4 of the way."
All of that grief could have been avoided if only you had replaced the FFs with the MaxxAir Vent Fans! The MaxxAirs are a better fan than the FF, quieter, more volume, etc. and the BONUS is that they have integral rain covers which can be used while underway and still keep the rain out. :o ::)
I'm running a total of five (5) MaxxAirs in my '04 30'IB!
https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Vents-and-Fans/MAXXAIR/MA00-06401K.html?feed=npn&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20%7C%20Shop%20-%20RV%20Vents%20and%20Fans&adgroupid=81219729010&campaignid=417623777&creative=404001548849&device=c&devicemodel=&feeditemid=&keyword=&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9031994&matchtype=&network=g&placement=&position=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgPDsgdCg-AIVAD-tBh3bzwcZEAYYASABEgI5Y_D_BwE
Steve, if the FF fans ever die, I'll think about upgrading to the Maxx fans. Thanks!
Greg,
Last year my rear FF activation switch failed. I replaced the switch for $7.00 I also ordered a main FF unit for around $40. At those prices, I’ll probably keep the FF units although I do like the idea of driving the rig with the vents open.
I’ll probably have the Mothership replace the FF units with Maxx Air fans when I reseal the roof in a few years. They sure look sleek.
Kent
"I’ll probably have the Mothership replace the FF units with Maxx Air fans when..."
I would not count on that Kent, unless Steve Newton's policy somehow changes. According to Steve if a fan requires replacement, it has to be done with the OEM (Fantastic). >:(
Have I ever had a MaxxAir installed at the Mother Ship??? YES, but it was due to the fact that I arrived with the MaxxAir fan I wanted installed in case any were damaged due to a vent reseal. Sure enough, one was damaged upon removal and Mr. Good Guy Vince went against company policy and installed my fan instead of a FF. But he let me know that had I not had a spare I would once more have a FF in that vent opening! ::)
Thanks Steve,
Well if Vince is still working in the area, perhaps he can install the Max Air fans after LD seals my roof.
I’d prefer that LD gets my work but it was Vince and his team that accomplished all my previous projects.
Perhaps I could do the work myself but I always lean toward the Pros From Dover.
Kent
"Well if Vince is still working in the area, perhaps he can install the Max Air fans after LD seals my roof."
As I understand he is still working in the area!
A comment he offered after the work was finished was, "That's a much easier install than the Fantastic's we use." ;)
"Well if Vince is still working in the area, perhaps he can install the Max Air fans after LD seals my roof."
My understanding is that Vince is working at this repair shop in Fontana:
RV Repair RV Service RV Remodel Bus Conversion - Fontana CA (https://leisurecw.com/)
Just installed one of two Maxx Air II vent covers, ran into similar clearance issue that others encountered.
In my case it was stupidly. Installed the right side first, and cleared the Fantastic Fan just fine, so it was properly placed.
I figured if I closed the vent cover, that’s where the other brackets should go on the left side. Nope! My Fantastic Fan would catch on the left side and wouldn’t close. Took off the hinges on the stuck side (left), then started taking them off the right side, figuring I would move everything back a quarter inch.
Then it dawned on me, the left side hinges should be the same offset from the rear of the Fantastic Fan as the right side, which cleared just fine. A quick measurement showed the left side was a full half inch further forward, so of course the Fantastic Fan catches on that side. Relocated the left hinges to the same offset as the right, and it works perfectly!
Moral to the install, ignore the MaxxAir II instructions to close the vent cover and mark the location of the feet, as it’s not guaranteed to be the correct location. Better to take measurements on the side you just installed and use them for the second side brackets.
Sadly, cannot install the second vent cover in the back, because the solar panel is too close to the vent, see the red arrow.
I thought about modifying the vent cover to work with the limited space, by cutting the piece in red on the vent cover, but I suspect that is a really dumb idea, defeating the purpose of the vent cover. Will give it more thought.
Hi Dave. Well, you can't walk on the roof aft of the back solar panel, so it is real estate that could be covered up. I would move that panel back about 4", also to have less impact of shadow on the panel from the vent cover. You could leave the panel's feet where they are, and just have two pieces of aluminum channel bridge (facing down) and cantilever at the back. 6063 - T5 Shelf Stiffener | Orange Aluminum (https://orangealuminum.com/shelf-stiffener/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtvqVBhCVARIsAFUxcRtwNwOZ0IrvZbTyiCjHryPufPPi_QmRlQ-5CntZa6e65FuQgftcxdQaAo5rEALw_wcB) (one inch, smooth, clear anodize) or something similar.
The wiring would probably be long enough to not require modification. RonB
Hi Ron!
Thanks.
Hadn’t occurred to me to move the panel back a few inches that way, I figured I’d have to pull up the panel and reinstall the feet.
What kind of fasteners should I use, galvanized bolts with lock nut?
Will have to wait until I’m home to attempt it this new mount for the rear panel.
Hi Dave; Galvanized is a zinc coating and will not weather well. I recommend stainless steel screws washers and nuts. Use Nyloc nuts for protection against loosening from vibration. They cost a few cents more, but thread lock glue is messy, and hard to undo. I suspect AM solar uses these, so you may already have some.
1/4"-20 is a bit too big, overkill for this. I would use 10-32. You should match what is there already. RonB