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11-27-2019, 09:08 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 7
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Maxx fan install location
I want to install a Maxx fan in my 2019 F. R. 33IKT Sabre kitchen/living room. Has anyone installed one and if so how can I determine if there are any wires or duct work in the way before I start making the cut out?
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11-27-2019, 09:23 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
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Pull down the inner frame of the ceiling vent. You may/not find wire there.
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2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
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11-27-2019, 09:32 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 7
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There is no existing vent in the ceiling. I don't want to make a mistake and cut where there might be wires or duct work. I was hoping that someone might have installed one and could give me some pointers. Thanks
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11-27-2019, 09:50 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
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I only installed fans where a vent existed. Not sure about making a hole in a roof. Try the manufacturer for info.
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2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
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11-28-2019, 01:16 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Posts: 7,616
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Most fans have framing on all 4 sides so they are boxed in. You going to do that? How are you running power?
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11-28-2019, 07:00 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 5,712
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Cutting thru any area of an RV is poking a stick in a mine field. No clue where those wires are running and they seem to be in different places on two matching RV's. If you go ahead with this...yeah...where are you getting power from (Babock) and start with SMALL hole as you don't know what you'll find in there. Guess you could take the ceiling panels completely down and start from there.
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11-28-2019, 01:41 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Compass, PA
Posts: 302
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Most of the newer RV's have more than one vent opening. Mine has a maxi vent plus three crank up vents. I'd stick with replacing an existing vent rather than explore the treacherous waters of making a big hole in your roof and not knowing what you'll find, how you'll be able to frame the openinmg and how far you'll need to run wiring. If you use an existing vent, more likely than not there will some 12 v wires near your vent opening. Much easeir process than starting from scratch.
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2014 Rockwood Signature 8282 Ultra-Lite
2008 RAM 3500 HD DRW Laramie Megacab
6.7 Cummins Turbo Diesel
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11-29-2019, 11:17 AM
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#8
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AKA: 'tiredTeacher
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 1,045
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grapehound
Most of the newer RV's have more than one vent opening.
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OP has no vents in his ceiling. That's his problem.
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Wright and Penny
(with Fitz and Lizzie, the camping kitties)
Richmond, Va.
2010 Tundra 4X4 5.7L V8
2014 Rockwood 2604WS
Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows.
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11-29-2019, 12:46 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Delaware
Posts: 279
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I did mine in my bedroom. Wires you can move or reroute. Your ac duct work,, different story. Go to the hardwere store and get a folding extendable mirror. pull your AC vents down,,look in with the mirror and a flashlight and that will tell you your ductwork routing. Then theres roof trusses. You dont want to cut them. They should be easier to find. Stud finder,,, drop some cieling lts and take measurements to the trusses. Measure 6 times,, cut once. I had to cut thru one of my trusses but it was resting on a wall that crossed the whole trailer. The wiring I got from my bedroom ceiling light. You have to be mindful of the fan load. they draw about 3.6 amps on high. Look at your 12 volt breakers for your lights. They can give you an idea on what circuit is near where you want to put your fan. Remember, you need to know the spacing of your roof trusses. They don,t all show up on your roof material. Did I scare you away yet?
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TT: 2018 Coachmen Catalina
243rbs(rear bath) legacy edition
TV: 2022 Ram 2500HD Tradesman
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12-08-2019, 03:34 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 878
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babock
Most fans have framing on all 4 sides so they are boxed in. You going to do that? How are you running power?
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You're making this a big project as Babcock points out. Not sure what kind of fans you have in your existing vents (Bathroom, Bedroom, anyplace there is already a vent) but that's the way to go. Max Air fans are powerful enough that if you only open a few windows a crack, they will suck a nice breeze in through those 1 inch open windows. I know because I froze one 70 degree night by turning the fan on when my buddys staying in the camper with me voted no AC. I cracked my side window by my bed and felt like was sleeping in a wind tunnel since it was the only one open.
By the way, that fan was about 15 feet from me in the bathroom.
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2020 Chevrolet 2500 LTZ, 2019 Forest River Wolfpack 23Pack15, 2014 EZGO Golf Cart.
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12-08-2019, 08:59 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Delaware
Posts: 279
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CincyGus
You're making this a big project as Babcock points out. Not sure what kind of fans you have in your existing vents (Bathroom, Bedroom, anyplace there is already a vent) but that's the way to go. Max Air fans are powerful enough that if you only open a few windows a crack, they will suck a nice breeze in through those 1 inch open windows. I know because I froze one 70 degree night by turning the fan on when my buddys staying in the camper with me voted no AC. I cracked my side window by my bed and felt like was sleeping in a wind tunnel since it was the only one open.
By the way, that fan was about 15 feet from me in the bathroom.
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I was only giving the OP the information they ask for. Its up to them to do what they want with it.
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TT: 2018 Coachmen Catalina
243rbs(rear bath) legacy edition
TV: 2022 Ram 2500HD Tradesman
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12-08-2019, 11:21 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 7
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Thank you all for your answers and advice. I tried several times contacting Forest River for location info but they were useless. I'm sure the fan can be ordered from the factory installed as an option. I guess I'll have to do my own legwork. I have no problem installing the fan, I have installed them and a/c as well to my previous rv.
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12-08-2019, 11:32 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 1,713
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I just installed a non-powered 14x14 vent in my roof. I used a stud finder and the side of my fist and knuckle taps to find solid and hollow areas in my ceiling. I cut the interior ceiling paneling first with a small battery operated circular saw set with a very shallow cut depth..just to the thickness of the paneling.
Sure enough there were some speaker wires in the ceiling but nothing else. Once the opening was clear, I then cut into the roof.
If I did make a location mistake, I only have to find a suitable ceiling patch for the interior.
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2018 Ram 2500 Tradesman, CTD/CC/SB/4X4/Equalizer WDH
2019 Forest River Surveyor Legend 19BHLE
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12-08-2019, 11:44 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,289
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Quote:
Originally Posted by upflying
I just installed a non-powered 14x14 vent in my roof. I used a stud finder and the side of my fist and knuckle taps to find solid and hollow areas in my ceiling. I cut the interior ceiling paneling first with a small battery operated circular saw set with a very shallow cut depth..just to the thickness of the paneling.
Sure enough there were some speaker wires in the ceiling but nothing else. Once the opening was clear, I then cut into the roof.
If I did make a location mistake, I only have to find a suitable ceiling patch for the interior.
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Another tool that's great for these "exploration cuts" is an oscillating Mult-Tool like those made by Fein, Rigid, Dremel. You can almost be "surgical with them and because the blade oscillates it won't hook a wire if you encounter one. Will for the most part just push it back and forth.
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"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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12-08-2019, 12:02 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 7
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Thanks for the info! Framing shouldn't be a problem. Pretty much just to take up the space between the ceiling and the roof since the fan is screwed down on the roof and inside just the trim ring. (?)
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