2019 Fan Shade

[uncle_bob]

Hi

I've been bothered by the light through the Fantastic fan for a while. I bit the bullet and now have a "2019" shade on mine.

There *is* one interesting feature to the setup. Hot air rises. So does moist hot air. If it's ... errr ... in the 30's outside, the shade blocks heat from the fan (so it cools down). It does not (apparently) block moisture in the air. The result is condensation on the inside of the fan shade. That then drips down on the shade. Get up in the morning and open the shade .... face full of water ...

Bob

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Pictures?

[uraljohn]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

I've been bothered by the light through the Fantastic fan for a while. I bit the bullet and now have a "2019" shade on mine.

There *is* one interesting feature to the setup. Hot air rises. So does moist hot air. If it's ... errr ... in the 30's outside, the shade blocks heat from the fan (so it cools down). It does not (apparently) block moisture in the air. The result is condensation on the inside of the fan shade. That then drips down on the shade. Get up in the morning and open the shade .... face full of water ...

Bob

The easy cure is to install a "Fantastic Vent" fan cover on the roof of your Airstream. The covers are made by Fantastic Fan (Dometic) and are called "Ultrabreeze" covers. They come in White, Smoke Gray, and Black. Takes about 20 minutes to install and will make it a lot easier to run your fan when it is raining. About $50.00 online at the dreaded Camping World. Make sure you also buy the optional "Bug Screen". About $15.00. Do not use the cheaper MAXX AIRE covers as they do not allow the Fantastic Fan lid to fully open. I have 2 on my 2017 International and I just purchased 2 more this morning for our brand new 2019 FC 25 RBT. We pick it up on 30 April.

[Acheron2010]

https://www.campingworld.com/dometic...ack-58895.html

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Let’s get a picture of that too!

[mefly2]

Or, other manufacturers vent covers ... Maxx Air ... etc...

[SewStream]

[SewStream]

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by BigSxyWhtGuy

Pictures?

Hi

Looks just like the shade on the skylight next to it.

Bob

[SewStream]

Looks like this in our Globetrotter.

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Originally Posted by SewStream

Attachment 338739
Looks like this in our Globetrotter.

Oh, nice. Thanks for the visual!

[SewStream]

You’re welcome! It is the same shade as the skylights and vista windows. It sure helps with the heat and bright sunshine!

[Airhead2018]

We use the little pillow you can buy at camping world. No problems yet, but I like the looks of that shade!

[mjsully]

Hi Bob where do you buy the shade? I have the pillows but they take up too much room.

[kpm]

Originally Posted by mjsully

Hi Bob where do you buy the shade? I have the pillows but they take up too much room.

See this post for a photo and part number for the shade.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by mjsully

Hi Bob where do you buy the shade? I have the pillows but they take up too much room.

Hi

I had JC put it in while I was there doing other upgrades, repairs, and some warranty work.

Bob

[mjsully]

Thanks Bob!!!

[iowajones]

Does the vent cover cause any problems with shading solar panels?

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by iowajones

Does the vent cover cause any problems with shading solar panels?

Hi

*Anything* you put up there will in some odd situation shade the solar panels (unless you put it under the panels). If you park the trailer running north / south and it's high noon, the vent covers will have no impact. If you are in the same location at 6 PM, they will have an impact, but you won't get much solar then anyway.

Solar is always a bit of a "that depends" sort of thing. In most of the country, you always will be getting a bit less than the full rated output from the system. Shade from trees is going to be a much bigger deal most of the time than anything the vents might do.

Bob

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Since we seem to be talking about two different things now ....

The inside shade gizmo that I put on will have zero impact on the solar. It's all inside the trailer. The cool external vent covers that eliminate the need for an inside shade can / might / will impact the solar panels a slight bit.

Bob