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Beutnagels · 09-24-2022, 11:29 PM

Hi there everyone! Any suggestions?! Currently vacuuming every week then monthly-removing vents to wash filters. Concerned about stripping screws as seems excessive. We were told they needed cleaning frequently!?! Thank you for your experiences/methods. We have the 2021 30’ classic

Air2Dream · 09-25-2022, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beutnagels

Hi there everyone! Any suggestions?! Currently vacuuming every week then monthly-removing vents to wash filters. Concerned about stripping screws as seems excessive. We were told they needed cleaning frequently!?! Thank you for your experiences/methods. We have the 2021 30’ classic

Have a look at this video. It shows a vent modification that makes cleaning your filters easy and quick. The relevant section is at the 20 minute mark. You may want to watch the entire video as there are number of great maintenance suggestions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iOtyK1X_HM

**Hans627** · 09-25-2022, 05:46 AM

I did the modification to the vents as mentioned in the video. Previous to the modification, no matter how hard I tried, it seemed as though I always dropped at least one of those little screws prompting and search on hands and knees.

So much easier now which allows for for more frequent cleaning.

Do it, I don't think you will be sorry!

SlowPokePete · 09-25-2022, 06:07 AM

I'm interested in two products from the video...

The "Step Stick"

and

The Jacknut kit.

Anybody have a link for each of these products?

Thanks,

SPP

Acheron2010 · 09-25-2022, 06:14 AM

the mods look great, but seems to be a huge secret of where to obtain this kit that installs threaded inserts in your AC Vents. Anyone have a link to the kit?

**richard5933** · 09-25-2022, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

I'm interested in two products from the video...

The "Step Stick"

and

The Jacknut kit.

Anybody have a link for each of these products?

Thanks,

SPP

If you watch the video on YouTube there is a link in the video description. It's a link to an email, not a website. Send him a message. I bought from him in the past and he responded quickly.

KCurtis · 09-25-2022, 06:26 AM

Opps… Richard beat me to it.

SlowPokePete · 09-25-2022, 06:29 AM

Thanks...appreciate it!

SPP

**Hans627** · 09-26-2022, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

Thanks...appreciate it!

SPP

Are you going to be at Alumalina by chance?

SlowPokePete · 09-26-2022, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

If you watch the video on YouTube there is a link in the video description. It's a link to an email, not a website. Send him a message. I bought from him in the past and he responded quickly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCurtis

Opps… Richard beat me to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hans627

Are you going to be at Alumalina by chance?

Nope...gettin g ready to pack it in for the season.

SPP

SlowPokePete · 09-26-2022, 07:41 AM

So just to follow up...

The AC vent modification is awesome, but unfortunately purchasing the kit including the tool is a bit costly for me. I wouldn't mind but the tool is only good for installing jack nuts, that is it will not also install a plain rivet....so that leaves me with a tool that I can't imagine using more than the one time to modify the vents.

SPP

Fungus · 09-26-2022, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

So just to follow up...

The AC vent modification is awesome, but unfortunately purchasing the kit including the tool is a bit costly for me. I wouldn't mind but the tool is only good for installing jack nuts, that is it will not also install a plain rivet....so that leaves me with a tool that I can't imagine using more than the one time to modify the vents.

SPP

EDIT: He says a rivnut will not work but I didn't exactly understand why at first. Seems it would to me if you drill out the hole with a sized bit and not that reamer. He simply used the wrong tool. A rivnut takes two wrenches to install. You probably already own the wrenches.

Air2Dream · 09-26-2022, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

So just to follow up...

The AC vent modification is awesome, but unfortunately purchasing the kit including the tool is a bit costly for me. I wouldn't mind but the tool is only good for installing jack nuts, that is it will not also install a plain rivet....so that leaves me with a tool that I can't imagine using more than the one time to modify the vents.

SPP

The tools and nuts, screws can all be found online. I am not sure what the cost of the kit is but is may be cheaper buying online. Another option may be a Jack nut friction tool. I have not used one but pleat of information on line. It is quite cheap (I am in Canada hence the Canadian supplier).

https://www.grainger.ca/en/product/J...H/p/POPJNT1100

**richard5933** · 09-26-2022, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fungus

EDIT: He says a rivnut will not work but I didn't exactly understand why at first. Seems it would to me if you drill out the hole with a sized bit and not that reamer. He simply used the wrong tool. A rivnut takes two wrenches to install. You probably already own the wrenches.

The hole he was talking about was the one that was right up against the opening in the sheet metal. No matter how you enlarged the hole, it would overlap the rectangular opening. Without a full perimeter around the rivnut he was explaining that the rivnut will just push out sideways as you set it.

I believe this is the tool used to set the jack nuts. They also have a wide selection of jack nuts.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PPL466Y...v_ov_lig_dp_it

Not trying to direct business away from him, but there are options out there for those who want to put together their own kit. You'd need to order the thumb screws, jack nuts, and the tool. I have no idea what he charges for the whole shebang, but it might not be any different once you add things up.

Fungus · 09-26-2022, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

The hole he was talking about was the one that was right up against the opening in the sheet metal. No matter how you enlarged the hole, it would overlap the rectangular opening. Without a full perimeter around the rivnut he was explaining that the rivnut will just push out sideways as you set it.

OK. I see that now.

I'd probably take a look before resorting to a jack nut. I wouldn't drill out a 5/16 inch hole if there was a problem. I'd try to use a smaller rivet nut. A 3mm rivet nut requires a hole a shade larger than a 3/16". And I certainly wouldn't drill that hole using a step bit while my view was obscured by the paper bowl. That's asking for trouble.

Alternatively, a clip-on nut might work nearly as well, and cost a fraction of any other option.

**richard5933** · 09-26-2022, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fungus

OK. I see that now.

I'd probably take a look before resorting to a jack nut. I wouldn't drill out a 5/16 inch hole if there was a problem. I'd try to use a smaller rivet nut. A 3mm rivet nut requires a hole a shade larger than a 3/16". And I certainly wouldn't drill that hole using a step bit while my view was obscured by the paper bowl. That's asking for trouble.

Alternatively, a clip-on nut might work nearly as well, and cost a fraction of any other option.

I was thinking the same thing as I watched the video. A clip on nut could likely be found with the correct set-back, although some of the holes he was working with were much further back than others. With such various set-back distances it might require a couple of sizes.

Using the jack nuts probably results in the solution with the least future problems, as clip on nuts can move around and be difficult at times.

SlowPokePete · 09-26-2022, 04:46 PM

The kit is $91 for a 1 AC application, $107 for 2 AC's.

Perhaps everything could be sourced for less money (stepped drill bit, jack nut tool, and jack nuts), but I would think probably for not MUCH less.

I just don't want to buy a $75 tool that I will only use once.

Too bad it won't install regular rivets as well...

SPP

**richard5933** · 09-26-2022, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

The kit is $91 for a 1 AC application, $107 for 2 AC's.

Perhaps everything could be sourced for less money (stepped drill bit, jack nut tool, and jack nuts), but I would think probably for not MUCH less.

I just don't want to buy a $75 tool that I will only use once.

Too bad it won't install regular rivets as well...

SPP

You can get the tool from Amazon for about $15. Pretty sure the one I linked to is the same type he used in the video.

TitusNW · 09-26-2022, 06:56 PM

Purchased from Amazon

Hilman Group jack nut
59122 6-32

Digikey 6-32 stainless thumb screw
1772-1376-ND

In this case you can get behind the jack nut after installation so I used a regular flat head nail and my pop rivet gun to collapse the nut. Drill the hole, push in the nut, drop a nail from the back side. Insert shaft into pop rivet gun and make a couple of gentle squeezes to set the nut. Open the pop rivet handles to release the nail, pull nail from back side of jack nut. You're done.

I did a couple of dry runs on a scrap piece of tin can.

Steve