Vent modifications - Part 1
Posted 03-31-2013 at 07:30 AM by blickcd
My trailer had three original hehr light/vent combo units when I bought it in 2004. They always worked better as lights than vents, but even then the 3-way switch was flaky and is an expensive item to replace.
I replaced the original vent in my living room with a Fantastic Vent. Normally I like to keep an original look with my trailer whenever possible, but since the Fantastic is standard equipment on newer trailers, it didn't seem like sacrilege to install one.
Now the Fantastic Vent install has been covered extensively in the Vents section. Do a search there if you need more details. However, there are a few things about my install that I will show you.
The first photo shows the main bundle of wiring (covered in sealant) for the trailer running just beside the vent opening on the curb side. I had no idea it was that close and was glad I didn't plunge the drill bit through when removing rivets. Just be warned that all those wires are there.
Something I've noticed is that when a lot of people replace their old light/vents with a Fantastic Vent is that they never bother to install a light, which I don't understand.
The second photo shows the fan in place without the interior frame or garnish installed. The green wire (12 volt power) is connected in a wye to the fan (black wire) and that extra blue wire that I will connect to a light fixture.
The unconnected white wire on the right is the negative ground. It will be wyed up with the fan and light in a similar manner.
Photo three shows that I've marked the ceiling with masking tape for placement of my light fixture. The black dot is a rubber grommet installed where I drilled a hole for wires to the light.
Now the latest trend seems to be installing LED lighting, but I went with a cheap old school looking fixture for several reasons.
First off it matches one in the hallway by the bathroom, so keeping with the original look. Second, just having a single lamp on (you can select one or two on) is extremely bright and uses under 2 amp hours, so its efficient enough for me.
I replaced the original vent in my living room with a Fantastic Vent. Normally I like to keep an original look with my trailer whenever possible, but since the Fantastic is standard equipment on newer trailers, it didn't seem like sacrilege to install one.
Now the Fantastic Vent install has been covered extensively in the Vents section. Do a search there if you need more details. However, there are a few things about my install that I will show you.
The first photo shows the main bundle of wiring (covered in sealant) for the trailer running just beside the vent opening on the curb side. I had no idea it was that close and was glad I didn't plunge the drill bit through when removing rivets. Just be warned that all those wires are there.
Something I've noticed is that when a lot of people replace their old light/vents with a Fantastic Vent is that they never bother to install a light, which I don't understand.
The second photo shows the fan in place without the interior frame or garnish installed. The green wire (12 volt power) is connected in a wye to the fan (black wire) and that extra blue wire that I will connect to a light fixture.
The unconnected white wire on the right is the negative ground. It will be wyed up with the fan and light in a similar manner.
Photo three shows that I've marked the ceiling with masking tape for placement of my light fixture. The black dot is a rubber grommet installed where I drilled a hole for wires to the light.
Now the latest trend seems to be installing LED lighting, but I went with a cheap old school looking fixture for several reasons.
First off it matches one in the hallway by the bathroom, so keeping with the original look. Second, just having a single lamp on (you can select one or two on) is extremely bright and uses under 2 amp hours, so its efficient enough for me.
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