Nighttime Ventilation questions for newbie..AC or Fan?

I installed a Maxxair in the bedroom and a Fantastic Fan in the bath, both with rain covers. They really pull in the air. I figured a complete air change in the trailer every few minutes. And, you can run them when it's raining with the covers over top, though they reduce flow slightly.

One other point to keep in mind. Make sure to keep all the screens in the trailer clean. The fans can't get the air out if none can come in. It's amazing to see how much air they move by the amount of dirt that accumulates on the outside of the screens. We use a soft brush on a vacuum to clean them. Have to do them two or three times a season to keep the efficiency up.

I live in central Texas where it gets fairly warm. In 100+ degree temperatures, I run the A/C until about 8:00. Then, I switch to, believe it or not, an O2Cool desk fan that takes two "D" batteries, and sits on my bedroom's nightstand. It is quiet, and moves enough air in the middle of the night to keep me cool enough so I don't have to have the loud A/C on at night. However, once 10:00 in the morning rolls around, it becomes A/C time one again.

In cooler climates, I'd just go for the fan mentioned above, which should push enough air to keep you comfortable. If it doesn't do the job, its big brother, an 8 D cell operated fan does the job well. I've used the larger one tent camping in Texas summers, and it kept me cool enough to sleep.

I prefer battery operated fans when RV-ing because they work regardless of what type of power I'm on, be it full electric, generator, or just 12 volt battery power. The 12 volt system can even be disconnected (likely because it is outside generator hours, and I don't want to damage the jars) and the fans are still operable.

The downside is changing batteries. You can use "D" cells, which for me will last about 7-10 days, using the batteries at night for ~8 hours. You can also use "AA" batteries with an adapter to make them work as "D" cells, as well as a battery charger to compensate for the ampere-hour loss.

Even when it is freezing out, and I have my furnace cranked up, I still like moving air, so I like keeping a fan running regardless.

the dealer gets $150.00 just for installation..doesn't matter what fan I get... plus another $300.00 for most fans...seems kind of steep for me...my wife already shot it down..LOLOLOL.. she likes the heat... it only seems to keep me up at night... I might try to get a little desk fan and just put it next to me on the night stand as there is outlet right there... on the hot nights gonna need AC either way.. but on the cooler nights, I will open all the windows and vents and just plug in a fan next to my head... instead of using the FAN on the AC and burning that unit out... not sure what else to do..i guess the wife wins this battle

camp-n-family wrote:
I have a Fantastic Fan in the bathroom that we leave on all the time. Works great to circulate air and cut down on condensation in the TT while making very little noise. I'll never buy another TT without one.

X-2

The best accessory to have on any RV IMHO.:C

yankeeslover wrote:
.. that's $500.00 that im not sure I want to shell out for a fan...im not very handy person, but it doesn't look to hard to install the unit over the old one esp if I caulk it correctly, its the wiring.. ?

if you install a maxxaire over an existing vent you do NOT caulk it at all. I suggest having somebody else do the install. like I said, use the L brackets to install the cover, do NOT drill into the roof of your RV.
bumpy

ok, I just took a trip down to my local dealer... the max fan is around $350.00 plus $145.00 for dealer to install.. this is to install it in the non fan vent in the middle of the camper... that's $500.00 that im not sure I want to shell out for a fan...im not very handy person, but it doesn't look to hard to install the unit over the old one esp if I caulk it correctly, its the wiring.. im not comfortable with wiring... so I guess, my other option would be to just replace the unit in the bathroom instead? does the same install apply there? would having a fan bringing in cool air in the bathroom still circulate the whole camper????

You could do a little exploratory surgery on your vent without an exhaust fan. Simply remove the screws holding the shroud covering the hole in the ceiling, it comes off pretty easily. The shroud is easy to put back up. Then look around to see if there are already some wires running through the area. If there are wires there you simply tap into them to power the new vent fan. If there aren't any wires, I'd upgrade the fan in the bathroom. You would be surprised how much air on of the upgraded exhaust moves.

CampingWorld has a $39 install special going on.

yankeeslover wrote:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/turbo-maxx-deluxe-model-1200t-12v-ceiling-fan-vent-with-thermostat/13516#qanda
I am assuming this one here will allow me to have open while its raining?

yep, that's the type I installed.
bumpy

yankeeslover wrote:
which one is easy for a non handy person to install?

I installed a maxxaire replacing the little whirr and buzz in the bathroom. removed blade from little fan, used 12 volt from there to hook up maxxaire. maxaire went over the existing vent/cover. nothing to remove. fan is out away and facing down so it can be left on in the rain. use the aluminum L brackets to mount fan/cover. control box mounts on inside bezel of opening.
bumpy