Need power to Frt Vent 22' 2004

[Northerngirl]

I am wanting to replace the front none dc vent over the front bed on my 2004 Safari 22' with a Maxxi Vent. Took the inside trim off the current fan and can not see any wires. Have looked at the wire diagram in the manual and had expected to see some wires.

After searching the forum I see a folks have indicated they tapped into a near by light if no wires to the vent from the factory but it ends up on a bedroom light switch - which I could live with if I have to.

Per photo I do have 2 lights close by the fan opening as well as a Winegard TV antenna.
Does the TV antenna normally have some power running to it?

It appears that between the two main shells there is a small metal wall - in front of both the light to the rear of the opening and the one to the front of the opening which appears to block me from fishing wire from the light. Can I get a fish wire under that wall?

Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated.

[blkmagikca]

My uneducated guess is that you can tap +12v from the "live side" of the switch - this would give you power to the Maxxi vent. You'll need to look for a white(?) ground wire for the negative side of the vent. You should be able to get the +12v off either of the two switches, and then just fish it through to the vent.

[Northerngirl]

Thanks Blkmagikca, in a perfect world that would be the way to go but not sure how one would/can fish the wiring from the nearest switch which is mounted low on the front wall of trailer under the window. Having troubles figuring out how to fish the wire just from a light less than a foot away with a roof cross member between the light and the fan. ;-(

[blkmagikca]

From the photo I was under the impression that the switches were on the ceiling. The bedroom switch on my AS is on the ceiling

[Northerngirl]

Wish it was.

[blkmagikca]

Have you removed the existing fan yet? When you do, also drop the ceiling lights in order to see what wiring you have there. If you have the schematic with the colour codes of the wires you should be able to find a +12v that will work. Use a test light or VOM (volt-ohm meter).

[Northerngirl]

Yes I have. Only wires visible are the front bedroom ceiling wiring that are switched to the wall. Wiring diagram shows there should be wiring for the fan but there is not. But as I said I can live with it being on the switch .... BUT between the fan and the light is a cross member I need to get the wire past. Can just slip a wire between the roof cross member and the ceiling with some effort but worry about potential rubbing on the wire by the cross member.

Can I drill a hole in the roof cross member and put a grommet in it to pull the wires through? Any issues with doing that?

[Northerngirl]

In hindsight I realized its not a roof cross member blocking me from getting at light wires ahead and behind the fan but a roof support box of some sort around the vent opening. There is a wire grommet on one side of the box where the vent wires probable should have come into the vent from - but no wires ;-(

[blkmagikca]

See PM.