Installing fantastic fan in Bigfoot

[tombinps]

Assistance needed. I have a new to me '87 Bigfoot 11.5, I would like to install a fantastic fan in the space where A/C would be. The problem is, the camper came without A/C and I don't know where cut-out is located. I'll probably have many more questions about this camper so I hope there are some owners of this model on the forum.

Thanks in advance

Tom

[Reddog1]

Paradox123 wrote:
Do you have another existing roof vent you could install the FF into? Might be easier and with fewer complications. Either way, will you have 12v at the site? I think it would be a PIA to pull in wiring through the ceiling.

I installed a Surflo fan in the bathroom, after I installed my A/C. I prefer it there.

On my Bigfoot, there is a 120v junction box in the driver side overhead cabinet. Remove two screws, drop the box down, and there is a wire chase to the 14x14 cut out. You could run wiring for 12-volt through it if you chose to.

Wayne

[Reddog1]

tombinps wrote:
joeschmoe:

I sent personal message to reddog in hopes he has exact measurements for cut-out.


Tom

My apologies, I overlooked the post. I did respond to the PM.

Wayne

[tombinps]

joeschmoe:

I sent personal message to reddog in hopes he has exact measurements for cut-out.


Tom

[joeshmoe]

Get in touch with Wayne (Reddog), the moderator here. I think he has an 87 or 88 with A/C. Should be able to measure his and get you real close.

[chilihead98]

I put mine in the central roof vent. Fit perfectly.

[Paradox123]

Do you have another existing roof vent you could install the FF into? Might be easier and with fewer complications. Either way, will you have 12v at the site? I think it would be a PIA to pull in wiring through the ceiling.

[Buzzcut1]

Drive by the fire department and find out if they have a thermal imaging camera and would be willing to help you out. phrase it so that they could use it as a camera training session on RVs. A win for them and you.

[tombinps]

HMS Beagle:
I've tried several of those suggestions, except IR scanner. Two types of stud finders have given mixed results, the hammer tapping method is a little iffy. I have seen a square moisture pattern where I think the A/C would have been, maybe I'll crawl up there some mourning and take a felt pen.



Thanks for ideas.

Tom

[54suds]

in my 1988 Bigfoot , c11.5 ,the 14 x 14 hole is 25 inches from the face of the over head cabinets, on each side and 83 inches from the wall face (not the wire chase cover) over the door

[HMS_Beagle]

Even if you get an answer, I would check carefully before I pulled the trigger on the Sawsall.

Bigfoot puts wood blocking around the 14 x 14 hole, you can use a stud finder (from HD or other big box store) to map out the blocking in likely locations. The outer skin is fiberglass so you can check from both sides.

Alternatively, if you have an IR camera you can heat the inside on a cold morning, the wood will show up very nicely as hot stripes. If you don't have an IR camera the poor man's method is to heat the inside up on a cold, dewey morning. The dew will evaporate over the wood faster than over the insulation.

Keep in mind that you don't need to get the limits of the cutout exact. Once you know about where it is, drill a hole in the middle and work out till you hit the wood blocking.

A signal tracer on the AC wire from the breaker may held to determine the likely location in the roof.