Trying to Keep Cool! Is a Maxxfan the answer?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 лип 2024
- Installing a Maxxfan…is it any good? We install and test it. See what we think!
00:00 Why fit a Maxfan?
2:00 Where did we buy it and what did it cost?
2:30 Unboxing
3:15 Installing
12:00 Testing the Maxxfan
We have a new link here called ‘buymeacoffee’, so if you fancy sending us a message and buying us a slice of pizza or an ice lolly, then click on the link! www.buymeacoffee.com/calicamp...
That’s awesome 👍🏻😍. Do you think it could be installed on a pop top roof of a Nugget plus too? Does it make sense on that type of top roof? Thanks a lot for sharing 🤗🚐👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Hi David! A very good question indeed! I often thought about having an addition ‘hole’ in the roof of our pop-top when we owned it. Although you have fabric sides, the hot air still struggles to escape at the top. Also, if it is raining, we needed to close the fabric side openings as rain came in amd we then struggles to keep the airflow going. If you are using additional pop top insulation, the van can then get even more stuffy. I am yet to see anyone brave enough to install something like this to a pop top-top, maybe because it would be a bit clumsy and maybe not ‘look right’. Maybe someone who has tried will read this comment? Lets see! Thanks for watching and commenting 😃👌🏻
@@CaliCamperFamily I really appreciate it 🤗🤗🤗
I have a pop top plus and I wouldn't risk it. We have the large window that opens at the back (in the fabric) and that really helps. Our van only just fits in the garage with 2cm to spare so it's a no! Still not decided on solar panels but we are getting by with a Jackery 1000.
@@richardcope3850thanks a lot, Richard. Your comments are really helpful 👍🏻, I’ll take them into account.
MaxxFan--- Wouldn't have a van without one ! Brilliant. Economical and so effective and so versatile.
Good work. Must’ve taken some courage to tear apart your lovely new van! We just spent 2 weeks in the caravan in the UK and realised that we were subconsciously Nugget spotting! The search was soon over when we saw a Nugget Plus from the Netherlands at the site in Charmouth.
PS - double well done for having the patience to film your progress whilst actually getting a job done. Many times I’ve intended on doing this, but never had success!
Keep up the Nugget spotting!!! I do the same all the time!
A nice addition to your camper. I do love the Nugget Plus nearly as much as the view of the lake from your house, wonderful.
Thanks Russell! We are really happy with it! Thanks for commenting 👍🏻
Oh Jordan you're a braver man than I! I've done a few bits to our van but I don't make holes in things! On the plus side you know exactly what's been done and how it works.
… 😂 ‘brave’ or stupid!?? Time will tell, but so far we are really happy with it and it performs well. Thanks for commenting, have a nice day, Jordan, 👍🏻
I think for the price those fans are great. We have friends who own a Hymer A class and they have air conditioning but said it’s loud and really cold! I think they’re also heavy on power whereas lots of full time off grid vanlifers seem to manage fine with Max Fan. I think I’ll put one on my wish list, the dogs would love it. Thanks as always for sharing an interesting and informative video.
Hi Sylvia, yes, the power drain is the biggest issue for campers, especially if you want to be off grid. The Maxxfan will run for days on just our leisure batteries, including running our fridge and charging our phones etc. Although obviously not as good as air conditioning, it’s an effective tool. (Depending on where we are parked, we can run the engine and get air con that way if we over heat!). Also, perfect for the dogs I’d say!
Good video. We have considered getting one for the caravan to replace one of our vents at some point for when we go to France. Be interested as you are in Italy to see how well it works long term.
So far so good 👍🏻. It is working very well and keeps the air circulating which is especially needed at night time if there is no breeze. Keep you posted 😎☺️
Good job. Well done. During the next heatwave to hit Europe, it will pay dividends. Enjoy your next adventure guys. 🙂
Cheers Pat 😎👍🏻…it’s ‘fan’ tastic 😂
You might want to put some sealant over the screws mate, Thats the weak point of water getting in.
A good call. I’ll do that!
We use a windscreen no the outside of the front window, we have notícia that it keeps the interior of the motorhome cool
We haven’t tried an exterior windscreen blind before. Thanks for the tip 👍🏻
What happens if the outside is unbearably hot?
Let us know how effective it is in cooling down the interior of the van. I hope you won't get a leak as the sealant you used will make it very hard to remove the frame which is why professionals use a softer more elastic one (more of a paste).
So far, so good! Also, if we are running the engines airconditioning, the Maxxfan sucks the cool air to the rear helping to circulate it. As regards the sealant, I used the recommended sealant for RV’s/campers/GRP…not a pleasant job replacing the manufacturers frame, but I don’t think there is a better aftermarket alternative. Thanks for watching 👍🏻
Great video! I’m going to install a maxxfan in my nugget as well. (Tried out a 2.80 m max height tollbooth 🙈) I noticed in following video’s, you managed to reinstall the original blinds. How did you do that?
Thanks! Ooops, did you damage your Nugget?! I haven’t managed to install the original rear blinds yet, it is still in my workshop waiting to be modified! I can certainly recommend the Maxxfan.
Hi Cali Family, thank you for the video for the maxxfan install, can you tell me where you found the 12v aux battery feed to piggy back the maxx fan to please? I have a 2022 Nugget plus and want to install the maxxfan as well. Thanks for sharing.
Hello! A great question! I used the wires for the Thetford toilet. These wires are hiding just under the vertical cover which you remove to get to your toilet cassette. I used a separate inline fuse for the Maxxfan. We use the Maxxfan all the time, and no problems with the electrics at all. Hardest part is threading the wire in the headlining/insulation to the cupboard! All possible though…good luck and we’ll worth the effort. Makes a huge difference. Best regards, J
@@CaliCamperFamily Hello J, I enjoyed your install video for the fan install and was looking for the 12v supply you showed but it appears that this was the feed for the tow bar electrics so already in use. The only concern I have is the wire used for the Thetford toilet is considerably thinner than the Maxx fan feed cable. What value fuse did you use for the in-line fuse ? I agree the hole to feed the cable through the roof lining insulation was a bit of a **! So had to do it carefully.
@@daviddenton1926i can’t remember, maybe a 5amp fuse. My towbar electrics were installed by Westfalia, and they don’t use the same wire as the toilet. That’s a bit of a strange solution you have for the towbar as the wire for the toilet gets it’s power from the leisure battery. Hence, it is always live. Anyway, the Maxxfan doesn’t draw that much power, you should be fine.
@@CaliCamperFamily My tow bar was fitted by the Ford dealer so I have no concerns in that area as everything works fine. The separate toilet wiring will be the way to go to piggy back. Thanks for the feedback and enjoy your future travels.
Can you drive with the Maxxfan on to create a breeze for the family sitting in the back on a hot summer’s day?
Yes, it is designed to be used whilst both stationary and on the move. 😃👍🏻
The old frame was just glued to the car and held by brackets, being engineered by some wise men who new the ancient rule: never put a hole in a hull unless you _really_ need to. Obviously the new device is at somewhat (much?) lower engineering level.
Hope it wouldn't leak...
Hello, and you make an exceedingly good point. I wasn’t keen on drilling all those holes, hated it infact! However, there isn’t much of an after market alternative. After fitting it and using it properly on 3 different trips, I can confirm it was worth it for the ventilation, and no leaks so far! Thanks for commenting 👍🏻
Can you drive with the Maxxfan open and on?
Yes, you can!
How can it cool down air just through air flow?
Thanks for watching! It can cool the interior air by exchanging it with the outside air.