Installing a Fan-Tastic vent roof

[Sdt]

Thinking about installing a Fantastic fan in my roof vent on a 04 Safari 25'. Any helpful ideas as to finding some wiring to tie into and type of sealant. The fan says 14 1/4 X 14 1/4" opening and I assume that is standard on my AS ?

[Wayne&Sam]

Can't help with the wire location, but you may want to consider a MaxxAir fan instead. It several advantages, the biggest being that it can operate in the rain. Uses the same size opening.

When I changed out my fans, I seated it on a bed of butyl tape, then used self-leveling sealant over the screws and seams. Never had a problem.

[A W Warn]

The fans in my Safari are both tied into the adjacent ceiling light for their power source. That is the easiest location to access.
The only negative is that both the light and fan are controlled by the switch on the wall. So, those wall switches are left in the on position continuously and the switch on the fan and the switch on the light are used exclusively to control these fixtures.

Add edit: you will have to enlarge the existing fan opening and add some framing around the perimeter of the opening. It is a fairly easy project.

[CRH]

I just replaced mine. I used butyl tape between the fan flange and roof and Dicor on the screw heads and along the edge where the flange meets the roof.

[68 TWind]

Don't use the counter sunk screws that come with the FF. It is very easy to get them too tight and the flange will crack. Instead get some stainless steel pan head screws of the proper size and SS washers to put under the screw head. This will spread the pressure over a much larger area and greatly reduce the chance of cracking the flange. I just used Vulkem and not the foam gasket that came with the FF. 6 years and not leaks or cracks.

[CRH]

I just bought mine....it did not come with a foam gasket.

[Glenritas]

I went with 2 MaxxAir Deluxe fans with remote control. 9 speeds with built in rain shield !

I also discovered that the Dometic A/C blows to the sides and rear like gang busters and just barely to the front because of the return air duct. Our living area is in the front so this
didn't work.

I replaced the Dometic with a Coleman Mach 8 That blows front to rear and is quieter.

[truxpin]

+1 on the Maxxair ! Also, be prepared to enlarge the existing opening... (Inner AND outer skins may have to be cut to a larger opening) (( why isn't Airstream using a fan with a standard size opening? ))

[Native143]

I am so glad to read this. The Dometic A/C is useless to the front, been trying to figure out how to redirect the air to the front. They can't have a better design? I have 2014 Bambi so the problem still exists. Not ready to buy a new A/C so any ideas on remedies??? Thanks.

*****************************

I also discovered that the Dometic A/C blows to the sides and rear like gang busters and just barely to the front because of the return air duct. Our living area is in the front so this
didn't work.

I replaced the Dometic with a Coleman Mach 8 That blows front to rear and is quieter.[/QUOTE]

[CRH]

My Dometic blows front and rear.

[2dabeach]

Originally Posted by Sdt

Thinking about installing a Fantastic fan in my roof vent on a 04 Safari 25'. Any helpful ideas as to finding some wiring to tie into and type of sealant. The fan says 14 1/4 X 14 1/4" opening and I assume that is standard on my AS ?

I had my standard 14"x 14" cheap vent in the bedroom of my 2007 25' Safari FB with a Fantastic Fan. The mechanic installing the fan spliced into the 12 v power supply to the Ventline fan installed in the ceiling of the shower.

[MissingLink5]

I agree with Alan Warn; I have a 2006 Safari. The Airstream factory told me there should be pre-installed wiring in the ceiling near the opening to tie into for the fan. NOT!! I had to tie into the ceiling light that is controlled by the entry switch at the door. Works fine but you have to remember to not leave the entry switch in the off position.

[turnerstream]

I've been planning on this upgrade too. Good tips here - Thanks!

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by truxpin

+1 on the Maxxair ! Also, be prepared to enlarge the existing opening...

On my 2007 and my 2014, the FF opening was exactly the same for the MaxxAir.

[Monza]

What Maxxair model are you guys using? Any links? I see various and completely different configurations on my quick google search.

[cyclebuddies]

[QUOTE=Native143;1823257]I am so glad to read this. The Dometic A/C is useless to the front, been trying to figure out how to redirect the air to the front. They can't have a better design? I have 2014 Bambi so the problem still exists. Not ready to buy a new A/C so any ideas on remedies??? Thanks.

*****************************

Our AC died on the road and was replaced with the Dometic which was all we could find. It is loud and does cool the front poorly. However, we shut every vent but the front one to get the living area cool. Once cool we start cracking the back one a bit to start cooling the bedroom for the evening. I wish we had our old Coleman back and may just have to switch out someday.