Reddit reviews Maxxair Vent Corp 00-04000K Maxxfan Plus Vent 14" 12V White
We found 5 Reddit comments about Maxxair Vent Corp 00-04000K Maxxfan Plus Vent 14" 12V White. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Remote control models now include backup controls at ceiling, a MaxxFan exclusiveFan runs with lid closed to circulate air (Ceiling Fan Mode)Flush mounted, easy to clean keypad controls fan speed, thermostat, air intake and exhaustInstalls into all standard 14 inch x 14 inch RV roof openingsWhite lid, manual openingFan Speed - 10 Speed
Most of our vanventures have been in snow, winter and mountains. We have also spent a lot of time in urban areas where stealth is key.
For insulation, we went with 3m Thinsulate. It is good stuff, easy to install, and safe (health wise, i.e. breathing in the material if you were to do fiberglass).
We did use reflectix to stick in the windows (also covered with black out curtain, and a layer of Thinsulate behind, as windows will have the most heat loss/gain). Reflectix is like a white car, it reflects away the rays!
From what it sounds like you're planning on, I would do insulation. It'll help with temperature changes (especially for the pup), and noise. 20 degrees isn't too shabby, but that metal box can turn into a fridge. And sleep will make all the difference when traveling. Noise too - mountains can have nice noise, but what if you're in the city, or on the side of the road mid-travel, or only place to park is in a crowded campground? Insulation helps with the noise.
Other noteworthy items for us...
We have a custom size bed, and just cut a 3 inch foam topper which we used for a bit, but we didn't realize just how much we were missing out on until my bad back plus turning on my hips in the wood all night led us to make this purchase. It is literally a cloud and I never want to leave bed. It's foam that we just cut down to size too.
We write our favorite parts, and keep track of everywhere we take the van. From an hour from home to other states, we write down some special moments to look back on. The joys of having the van are for those new moments in new places!
They are pretty dope for mellow evenings without the bright, real ceilings lights on.
My partner made one himself, and it is freakin awesome getting HD Netflix on a cold winter night in the parking lot at a ski resort.
Because coffee.
Depending on your battery/inverter capabilities, this should do the trick. We didn't need this, but it sure is nice to have this low-wattage electric water heater when we don't want to boil water outside. Camp stove = need propane (what if you run out!), have to go outside (cold? uncomfortable AND delays the water boiling! in a populated area? less stealthy to boil water on the sidewalk, don't want to look like the creeper in the van parked in front of someone's house) and usually small (water can do so many things (ramen, coffee, tea, oatmeal, etc.) so why limit to one cup at a time?) So it's really nice to have a large, fast way of heating water while being able to stay inside.
Usually more energy efficient and way easier to sleep with some darkness
It's become our "junk drawer" and sits on our counter - just holds all our little doodads that we use more often.
Fresh air, cools you down, and makes sure you're getting enough oxygen in there. (We got it as a way to make sure we don't have carbon monoxide poisoning from a propane-fueled heater too!) Not hard to install either!
The other day, the van battery died (just got old) and so we just waited for the sun to come out so we can charge it back up!
That's all I can think of right now!
Hope that helps :)
I actually just finished going through all of this.
1b) I have 2 vent fans installed in my roof, and it does wonders on a hot night. Set one to blow in, and the other to blow out, and you'll get some great airflow. Humidity is another story though. Even with the two fans humidity can be rough, but at least its something.
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If you are worried about solar being too expensive, it really isnt. You can get a full 100 watt solar panel kit for $118. That give you all the wiring, a panel, and a charge controller all at once. Then all you need are batteries, which you can get a set of 4 for $250. You don't need those specifically, but just make sure whatever batteries you get, you make sure they are DEEP CYCLE batteries, and not starter batteries.
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Hope this helps! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask, and I'll be glad to help. Anything to help another vandweller so they don't have to go through all the hell I did trying to figure it all out myself. lol
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You can get a manual opening version that is much lower profile and let's you control how open you want it to be.
But as mentioned in other comments the limitation is that you can't use it in the rain and it's pretty unstable on the lid if open while driving.
Personally I would go with the white Maxxair fan because I don't think it is all that noticeable. Plenty of white work vans have stuff on the top. If you really want stealth, get a used ladder rack and stick a ladder on there to help hide the fan and disguise yourself :)
Here is the link for the MaxFan. https://amzn.com/B0050EEO94
It's very quiet on the lower settings, it had a digital speed control.
You could. This maxair fan uses a little less than 5 amps on high according to the questions section so you're going to have high drain (relatively short run time) but it's possible.