Today's topic is the installation of the Fan-tastic Vent. Or is that the Fantasticfan vent? Or is it the Dometic Fan-tastic Vent fan? Indeed I think it's Fan-tastic Vent, but who's gonna remember it correctly anyway?
We've never had one of these before. I first heard about these from a co-worker in Alaska who had one on his Bigfoot. He really praised them. For moving air and ventilating, there's nothing like it. Then We heard good things from many additional places.
But we also heard they used to be better than they are now. Something about being sold by "Fantasticfan" to "Dometic". Or use of a different motor that fails easier or something. But while pricey, apparently they have a good replacement warranty. Which I may have voided.
You see when I shopped, I found much better pricing online than in local retail. I want to do my part to keep retail alive, but come on folks! Help me out a little. Like for instance, I bought lighted rocker switches the other day from the auto parts store for $5. The (pretty much) same part at the local RV parts store was $8.
If retailers would shop online and price compare, or even price "closer" to online pricing, maybe we can keep local retailers in a job. If not, well....
So I bought mine from eTrailer.com - and I ordered the wrong model.
Yeah, I bought model 1208 instead of 1200 which I had shopped for. But when I unboxed it (weeks ago) I pre-maturely got rid of some excess packaging, which I needed when I later discovered my error for a return. Doh!
So instead of a screw-on exterior flange, I had the type that installs with four screws, one in each corner, that squeezes the seal in between an exterior and an interior flange, which sucks together. Just fine with certain sealants and flat surfaces, like rubber roofs, or fiberglass, etc., but not so good with corrugated siding or use of butyl tape. Butyl is thick, and requires squeeze, not the best sealer for screws in four corners instead of every 4-5 inches for example.
I called Fan-tastic Vent tech. She said, oh yes you'll want to put something in the corrugated areas to space it, some styro-foam or something. Styro-foam!? Huh! Are you kidding me? She also agreed that if I drilled holes in the flange, it might void the warranty. Which I will want, she said.
But I didn't want to risk no return credit with some missing packaging through eTrailer. I chose to modify, and throw caution to the wind. Besides, if it's a dome cover or motor, nobody even needs to know I drilled holes. So I'm asking you to keep quiet on this.
I got online and learned the hole placement of the model 1200 type, and copied the same number, spacing and placement of holes on my non-drilled holes model 1208.
Here what I got.
You'll note the model 1200/1208 is simply a manual crank, three speed, non-reverse model without any bells and whistles. We didn't want a bunch of features that might just fail, and we can easily reach it or close it manually when it rains, seeing as how we are tall and Lil' Queeny is short.
This is the screen, four mounting screws and the interior flange which pulls the exterior unit down with the four screws in the corners.
So after I prepped the roof and cut strips of butyl with a hot scraper blade, I laid it out, then spread the butyl with a heated blade to the proper thickness and width. That technique worked very well and I've now used up just about my entire glob of extra butyl.
Here's where it goes, the LAST siding opening requiring closure. Well, except for lights.
I set it on the roof crooked.
So I could set it down in exactly the right spot from the inside.
And readied my screws.
The next day, after good ooze, I checked and trimmed. All around the edge was good seal, even on the inside I could look up in there and see the approaching ooze of butyl along the inner framing. Good!
I have been gently pushing a square edged (but not sharp or jagged) screwdriver blade along the flanges to cut the excess off. Your technique may vary.
Yes, I have a small ball of re-usable butyl still, again, some more.
What remains to show is the interior treatment and operation. I think I'll bring that up
tomorrow over in Chapter 10. Great Room and Galley.
