Bottom bunk - ventilation while sleeping?

[DuncanS]

West Marine has a price matching policy. https://boatplicity.com/10622115-caframo-757dcbbx-...3HEALw_wcB $54.

[vanagonjr]

I tried out the fan, sleeping in the van the other night and what a game changer! Caframo compact, 2-speed from West Marine.

It came with two bases. A screw mount and a suction cup.
West Marine does sell a clamp base (@$25). In the pictures, it is suctioned to a piece of Garolite plastic.
I’ll figure out if I want a magnetic base, but probably will screw to a piece of wood or plastic that allows it to be a stand up base, or clamped in the van.

My battery solar app showed hardly any drain after running it all night.
I’ll double check it more accurately once my Victron shunt and gauge kit arrive (BMV-712).

This similar to what I bought. https://www.westmarine.com/caframo-compact-2-speed-12v-dc-fan-black-9387564.html

In our hot weather, I used it during the day pointing outside the slider onto where myself or wife was sitting, while I generated more than enough solar power.
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

[Red Ryder]

We have black mosquito netting that we use to cover the liftgate opening when needed. Easily installed with small earth magnets. However, if moving air is required then a fan is needed.
_________________
“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland

“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition (Tornado Red)
“Nigel” — 1999 Jaguar XK8 convertible (Alpine Green Metallic)

[vanagonjr]

[DuncanS]

msinabottle. It's all about CFM. The small vents you posted a link to are not going to allow enough air to really do anything for a stuffy interior without a very strong wind blowing. Unless you have at least 1 ½ square feet of screened opening, there won't be much difference.

Duncan

[michaelasnider]

I have a Caframo Sirocco mounted by the b-pillar. Similar to the other Caframo mentioned earlier, expensive, but super low draw and keeps air moving very well.

We also have a fantastic fan in the hightop, but sometimes just leave it open without the fan running and still have good airflow around the van with running the Caframo.

[msinabottle]

I've thought about one of those RMW/Van Cafe aluminum delete plates for the driver's side rear on Winston... With a screened, lockable porthole ventilation fitting right in the middle of it. You'd have to open and close it from the outside because of the Closet/Cabinet, but at least some more of the hot air from inside the van could force its way out. Something like this:

https://www.westmarine.com/sea-dog-butterfly-vent-grille-5inchod-4-5-8inchid-594069.html

I'd want to retrofit in a bug screen. I always get a wasp when I leave an opening.

There's also this:

https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/product/product-detail/15287

Something to ponder....

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[DuncanS]

Don't know if you have a Westy, but here are two solutions I have found work perfectly. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?

www.busdepot.com/ahg There is a tailgate in my car which allows the entire mattress to lie only on the engine deck and the tailgate. This puts our heads outside the tin near the screen and when the rear drop window is open we get full ventilation and air movement. At $69 you can't do better.

Duncan

[cmayna]

[Klister]

Open the back hatch and pop in the original netting. Nice and cool

[jimf909]

[TrashPanda]

[TrashPanda]

Late to this post, but I wanted to contribute.

I regularly camp out of my Tintop, and this is my ventilation solution. It's worked out really well for me, especially in hot weather, shade-free, or insect-rich environments. I'd originally installed the rear sliders for my dogs to enjoy, but now I depend on them myself to stay comfortable.

Combining these with louvred roll-up vents for the front windows gave me pretty good cross-flow. Insects still presented a problem, though, as well as still air. I intended to make some bug sceens, like our fellow crafty folks here on Samba. Then I stumbled over these sturdy fans for server cabinets: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009CO543S?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
$40 is a bit overpriced, but what you get are high airflow fans and flat, solid metal frames.

I cut some inexpensive black 1/8" acrylic sheet to brace the fans from above and below within the window frame, and fill in the rounded corners in the frame. Then I pushed on some generic weatherstrip along the glass-facing edge. Now the window just shuts, airtight, against the fans' frame. I use them mostly to pull air out, drawing fresh air from the vents in front. But the computer fans can be quickly removed and reinstalled in the reverse on their frame, depending on whether I want them to blow air directly on me.

They're USB powered and draw very little, maybe 0.5 amps a piece, even at top speed (there are 3). When camping in direct sun, I typically just keep them running all day off my camping battery, which is concurrently recharged by 200W of solar. Even without the reassurance of solar, I confidently run them without worrying whether there's enough for my fridge and other appliances.

And they're secure. Sometimes I just leave them there while travelling. The fans just spin away quietly while turned off, driving down the road. Then I can flip them on for my dogs if I have to leave them behind in a parking lot while I gather supplies.

Anyway. Sorry for the TED Talk. I hope this helps!
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1991 2.1L 4spd Tintop

[MarkWard]

[space]

[MarkWard]

[VeeDubn]

[Timwhy]

[VeeDubn]

[markswagen]

l have one of these to hold the tailgate open.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-8-in-x-10-1.../204273921
one of the rear sliders is on my wish list from van cafe
_________________
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310