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vwlukas Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2020 Posts: 43 Location: hood river
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Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 8:40 am Post subject: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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Hey you weirdos!
For those of you with fans replacing the skylight or those of you with hightops, what vent fans have you found to work best?
There is plenty of options out there for the Sprinter crowd and it seems they stick with one option;
Maxxfan Deluxe
-$300ish
+rain sensors, pops up/comes down in rain, some have remote
-big if you have stuff on your roof like rocket boxes
then there are a bunch that seem good for us;
Maxxfan low profile
$120
+low profile, cheaper, operate with cover closed
-not very translucent for those who want light to still shine through
and the one im looking at;
Dometic Fantastic Fan
$300 - $340
+different models, transclucent, rain sensor with remote
-pricey, only one hinge, apparently the fan is on the louder side
Does anyone have any other input on what they have or are looking for?
here are some other topics i found in relation to this with installs
Install:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732736&highlight=fan
Translucent fans:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=701133&highlight=fan
some DIY options:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=742291&highlight=fan
A 11in Fan example:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=160
Last edited by vwlukas on Fri Jul 23, 2021 10:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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candyman Samba Trout Slayer
Joined: December 20, 2003 Posts: 2694 Location: Missoula MT
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Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:30 am Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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I have the maxxair and frikin love it! It moves a lot of air both as a vent and ceiling fan. Has 10 speeds and on the lowest speeds the draw is minimal. Has rain sensor so I leave it on low pretty much all summer to keep things cool and moving. Also has a remote and you can set thermostat settings, but I dont use that. Wasnt cheap, think I paid close to $250 or so couple years ago. Its on a reimo Hightop |
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vwlukas Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2020 Posts: 43 Location: hood river
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Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:41 am Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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candyman wrote: |
I have the maxxair and frikin love it! It moves a lot of air both as a vent and ceiling fan. Has 10 speeds and on the lowest speeds the draw is minimal. Has rain sensor so I leave it on low pretty much all summer to keep things cool and moving. Also has a remote and you can set thermostat settings, but I dont use that. Wasnt cheap, think I paid close to $250 or so couple years ago. Its on a reimo Hightop |
Is this the maxxfan deluxe, the big one? or are you using the lo profile model? i believe they both have those options _________________ Low Voltage Electrical Expert
ask me questions about your electrical setup!
if i was an eagle, i'd dress like a duck
crawl like a lizard and honk like a truck
- Jerome Garcia |
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2780 Location: North Carolina
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vwlukas Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2020 Posts: 43 Location: hood river
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Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 10:13 am Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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nice! i really like that installation as it doesn't require any trimming of the fiberglass top.
that is what i would say is the biggest downside to installing any type of roof vent fan in our vans _________________ Low Voltage Electrical Expert
ask me questions about your electrical setup!
if i was an eagle, i'd dress like a duck
crawl like a lizard and honk like a truck
- Jerome Garcia |
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dieseltdi Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2006 Posts: 537 Location: Grapevine, Texas
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Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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Just installed a Dometic in my TDI Westy conversion.
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vwlukas Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2020 Posts: 43 Location: hood river
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2021 8:05 am Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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dieseltdi wrote: |
]Just installed a Dometic in my TDI Westy conversion. |
does it seem any darker than the skylight? _________________ Low Voltage Electrical Expert
ask me questions about your electrical setup!
if i was an eagle, i'd dress like a duck
crawl like a lizard and honk like a truck
- Jerome Garcia |
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dieseltdi Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2006 Posts: 537 Location: Grapevine, Texas
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2021 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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I never had a skyline so I cannot say. |
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Cornell89 Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2017 Posts: 44 Location: PA
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 4:48 am Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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I really like the MaxxFan 4500k - I've installed them in 2 different vans. Very good air flow, remote control, rain sensor auto-close (never tested ). If you have the pop-top off when doing the install, I recommend covering the interior with hull liner - you can hide the fan wires under it.
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7402 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:10 am Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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I have the Fantasticfan (apparently Dometic bought the company in the last few years. Similar to the Maxxair: remote, auto-close (it closes with surprisingly little rain), reversible, many speeds. When I bought it I called Fantasticfan and they sent me a clear lid at no charge because I didn't want a smoke colored lid. Six years of satisfied use. My guess is that both work really well.
It creates quite a breeze...
_________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5068 Location: denver
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:36 am Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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I have the Fantastic Fan also. I cannot imagine life without it. Also, the remote is key. You might think you're being too extravagant by having a remote with your fan, but it's indispensable.
My only beef, and it's a very shallow and superficial one, is that the Maxxair fan looks cooler than the Fantastic fan. And apparently you can run the Maxxair in the rain without water ingress. The rain sensor on the Fantastic fan can be overridden, but it lets some water in. _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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0cean Samba Member
Joined: February 29, 2012 Posts: 1149 Location: California
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:45 am Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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I vote for the Maxxfan. Two arms holding up the top, so if you drive with it open the top wont bend and brake like the Dometic Fantastic Fan.
P.S. i have a Dometic Fantastic Fan for sale if someone wants it. New in a box. PM me if interested. _________________ I'm not a mechanic, I just play one on the internet
Cluster Rebuild:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569920&highlight=
Left for Dead the Resurrection Story Build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=613669
(Number of Different Donor VW Vans Body Parts Used: 12)
(Number of completely different vehicles parts used: 3) |
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vwlukas Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2020 Posts: 43 Location: hood river
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:48 am Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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0cean wrote: |
I vote for the Maxxfan. Two arms holding up the top, so if you drive with it open the top wont bend and brake like the Domestic Fantastic Fan.
P.S. i have a Domestic Fantastic Fan for sale if someone wants it. New in a box. PM me if interested. |
Which lid do you have? Transparency is one of the most important features to me. I just hate the idea of losing out on natural light.
I have heard that single arm on the fantastic fan can be a problem and i always drive with the skylight open or cracked _________________ Low Voltage Electrical Expert
ask me questions about your electrical setup!
if i was an eagle, i'd dress like a duck
crawl like a lizard and honk like a truck
- Jerome Garcia |
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michaelasnider Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2013 Posts: 357 Location: East Kootenays, Canada
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 10:50 am Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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You can absolutely drive with the fantastic fan open, its rated for it and I do it regularly.
Another vote for it, its been great for me.
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vwlukas Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2020 Posts: 43 Location: hood river
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:17 am Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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michaelasnider wrote: |
You can absolutely drive with the fantastic fan open, its rated for it and I do it regularly.
Another vote for it, its been great for me.
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thats what i like to hear! what color is your lid? it looks like smoke. i read smoke is better for transparency than white _________________ Low Voltage Electrical Expert
ask me questions about your electrical setup!
if i was an eagle, i'd dress like a duck
crawl like a lizard and honk like a truck
- Jerome Garcia |
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michaelasnider Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2013 Posts: 357 Location: East Kootenays, Canada
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:19 am Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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vwlukas wrote: |
michaelasnider wrote: |
You can absolutely drive with the fantastic fan open, its rated for it and I do it regularly.
Another vote for it, its been great for me.
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thats what i like to hear! what color is your lid? it looks like smoke. i read smoke is better for transparency than white |
Lid is smoke, works great as a skylight. That photo is with the lid closed, fan off. |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5068 Location: denver
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 12:34 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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michaelasnider wrote: |
You can absolutely drive with the fantastic fan open, its rated for it and I do it regularly. |
Yup, I drive with mine open a lot and it hasn't caused any problems. At intersections sometimes I get "Hey your vent is open!" _________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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Back to top |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7402 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:40 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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vwlukas wrote: |
michaelasnider wrote: |
You can absolutely drive with the fantastic fan open, its rated for it and I do it regularly.
Another vote for it, its been great for me.
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thats what i like to hear! what color is your lid? it looks like smoke. i read smoke is better for transparency than white |
I have a fantasticfan with a clear lid because I wanted as much might as possible.
Available on amazon. I also got a free one by calling Fantastic fan a few years back.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008OS8ENA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
|
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Christopholi Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2011 Posts: 229 Location: Vancouver, BC, CANADA
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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I just picked up a Maxxair 4000K (White lid) for my new hightop, based mostly on the number of speeds, quiet low speed operation, and being able to use it with the vent closed. Haven't installed it yet, so no personal experience yet, but looking forward to it. _________________ 1988 Tintop Wolfsburg Special Edition - "Meatloaf"
RMW 2.5 Subaru, SubaruGears 5MT 4.44 w/LSD, Coast Mountain Hightop |
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zoti Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2007 Posts: 2039 Location: Plano, TX USA
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Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2022 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: Roof Vent Fan Options |
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I finally finished the trim (in gray) around my Maxx Air 4000K. I discovered that you probably want to get one with a remote for easy on / off and adjustments when your sleeping.
Anyone knows which remote might work with it?
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