Inside cover for the Fantastic Fan

[bankerhill]

I find that the translucent cover for the Fantastic Fan allows much heat and light into the Interstate. Down here in the Deep South, every bit of advantage possible is needed to keep the RV cool in these extreme summers.

Has anybody created a cover for the Fan unit to mount inside that is particularly effective? How did you mount it?

Thanks!

[Hiwheel Joe]

In our trailer, we got the foil type window covering and cut it the size of the frame. Glued plastic molding on two sides to stiffen it. Then used small Velcro strips to hold it up to the frame. Helps a lot.

[UKDUDE]

Are they now using Fantastic Fans in the AI? Mine has a MaxxFan which has a black cover that doesn't let in sunlight. And since heat rises, I don't believe it increases interior temperature but helps to lower it when open.

[Pahaska]

In my former Classic 28, I had two Fantastic fans. For each, I bought a roller shade at Camping World. The shade was mounted with two screws on one side of the fan and hooked on a screw on the other side.

The shade was not really insulation in itself, though it intercepted the direct sun. I cut two pieces of foil-bubble-foil insulation (Reflectix) that I could place on top of each shade in very hot or cold weather. That blocked all direct sunlight and provided good insulation.

[Rich Jenkins]

We picked up a large 2" thick square foam insert that was covered in some kind of faux sheepskin fabric at Camping World.

I just stuff it into the frame. It works pretty well.

[CRH]

I got a piece of 1/4" thick white foam board and cut it to fit the outside of the frame. I use velcro tabs on corners to hold it up.

[InterBlog]

I find that the Ultra Breeze cover we installed over our Fantastic helped with the issue. It stops sunlight from directly hitting that original cover, which minimizes the heat gain. Plus it allows the fan to be used in the rain, and without restricting air flow. With an outside cover, we are not so much in need of an inside cover. Blog post here on its installation and operation.

[m.hony]

The MaxxAir cover over the Fantastic Fan seems to cut some of the light and heat coming through the skylight.
I have had the fake sheepskin thingy. It didn't fit well. Maybe it comes in different sizes?
I have cut Reflectix (a layer of foil, bubble wrap, and foil again in a sandwich) to fit in the hole. I tried cutting it larger than the hole and using Velcro (the space age fastener) to hold it up, but the glue on the back of the Velcro strips gave up and they fell off. It gets extremely hot in the Mississippi Delta.

[AL4411]

Foil-bubble-foil insulation cut to fit.
Blue masking tape to hold it in place.
I store the cut insulation under the mattress. Simple and effective.

[Vich]

I replaced the lid on my Fantastic Fan with a double insulated smoke color version. Got it from Camping World. It seems to help some.

Vic H

[Streamracer]

I've got square padded vinyl material with snaps on it. The male side of the snaps screw in around the frame. And it snaps on and off as needed. Got them either from camping world or Tiffin motor home parts center. Work well and fold up for storage when not using.

[harryk]

I copied a friends idea...in the four corners where there are screws, use the same screw to install a male snap...buy some heavy vinyl (mine is dark grey for covering boat seats)
and cut slightly larger than interior frame. Install 4 female snaps in vinyl... Allows you to snap in or remove . We usually have the rear bedroom shade in place to keep it dark in the am.

[BillfromWI]

I added contact washers for ½” rare earth magnets to each corner of the fan bezel and attached magnet cups to both ends of four of 2” long by ¾” diameter dowels. The finished length of the dowels-with-magnets is 2 5/8”. The magnet components are available from Lee Valley:

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=58750&cat=1,42363,42348

My wife made an insulated cloth cover that is held up by the magnets’ attraction to the washers through the fabric.

I made a baffle from galvanized flashing that is held in place by the magnets on the ends of the dowels with a 2 5/8” gap between it and the ceiling. The area of the gap is equivalent to the area of the Fantastic. We use the baffle if we want to run the fan without (much) light shining in.

If you think you may ever want to get the magnets out of the cups then hacksaw a slot in the cup wall to allow an awl to get between the magnet and the bottom of the cup.

I tried to insert images below but they may not have worked.

Fantastic_1.JPG
Fantastic_2.JPG
Fantastic_3.JPG
Fantastic_4.JPG

[coasttocoast]

ADCO 7172 18" Deluxe Solar Vent Cover (White Over Silver Color)
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
$11.04

velcro

[bankerhill]

Many thanks to all suggestions. I hear a couple that I really like and will try.