Pop-top roof vent/fan installation

[Dom1nion]

Evnin' all.
I've been scouring the web for a definitive answer, but getting nowhere; Has anyone done or seen a pop-top with a roof vent, one of the raising ones?

We toured Italy last year in June and slept up-top, but it was roasting. We had a portable fan , the canvas vent fully open and the windows cranked down when we went to bed but the fan was too noisy and didn't really provide much ventilation. So we have been looking at fitting a MaxxFan Deluxe or Nomadic Ark Airplus. The latter is our prefered option as it comes with a blind and lights for far less than the Maxxfan. Both need a 350 or 400mm opening in the roof and ours has what looks like a Sunroof shaped section between the pull-down handles. I'm guessing that section is also reinforced with Ply, for the handles. The inside is lined with the normal foam and faux-suede liner. By my estimation, we should be able to get it all in there and not foul anything when down.

Any advice welcome.

 

[chimpusmaximus]

Considering similar at the moment but have yet to see one fitted to a poptop, one concern I had was at the moment the van is 2.06m and can get under 2.1m barriers, the vent would stop this. It's also another point for things to leak and no going back once you cut into roof.

Also for me my pop top has ridges that are only 37cm so would have to pack it out to go for a larger vent. I did find some 28cm ones but not as nice as the premium ones.

 

[Dom1nion]

Considering similar at the moment but have yet to see one fitted to a poptop, one concern I had was at the moment the van is 2.06m and can get under 2.1m barriers, the vent would stop this. It's also another point for things to leak and no going back once you cut into roof.

I'm not too worried about the height, we've booked DFDS for a 2.4M slot this year, as getting up the ramps in the damp can be too much 'fun'...
The roof's fibreglass, but if cut properly shouldn't be too much of an issue and I'll lay up some 9mm ply on the inside too, for extra strength. The Airplus does 27mm as a minimum, so may need a couple of them or go for an 18mm single layer.
If it goes tit's up, I'll be living in it until the war-office calms down... Then I'll have to find a solution for fixing it...

 

[chimpusmaximus]

lol yeah I would probably end up in the same arrangement. Mate has fibreglass kit cars and another made yachts so hopefully I could fix it worse case.

I worked out I had enough room that my bed board would not block it either so would give good ventilation with roof down.

 

[CAB]

I had previously thought this would be a really good idea, especially in winter to evacuate damp air.

Definitely not a good idea on my roof though (side elevator and very steep).

My only worry on a pop-top would be the look - as the van is so low and small compared to a motorhome, it might look like a refrigerated van?

Also 12V power? Cabling it up?

 

[Sackmycook]

We have a fixed roof vent with flyscreen in our hightop.
I'm thinking about popping one of these in the unit above the flyscreen to act as a fan and extractor.....

 

[airhoguk]

Some people with Crafters have fitted either the Maxxfan or the Nomadic for the same reason. If you speak to Home - North Devon Campervans they do a variety of pre-made packers for various roof profiles. They might have one that matches or advise you on a suitable way ahead

 

[Dom1nion]

I had previously thought this would be a really good idea, especially in winter to evacuate damp air.

Definitely not a good idea on my roof though (side elevator and very steep).

My only worry on a pop-top would be the look - as the van is so low and small compared to a motorhome, it might look like a refrigerated van?

Also 12V power? Cabling it up?

That was also one of my worries, but the Nomadic AirPlus comes in all black trim and when their down, don't look too bad on the roofs of those I've seen on fixed roof vans and homes.
Cabling isn't an issue for me, it can follow the canvas down the inside to just above the electrics and feed in with the Solar cables. May need to silicone it or print a gland/fitting.

 

[Dom1nion]

Some people with Crafters have fitted either the Maxxfan or the Nomadic for the same reason. If you speak to Home - North Devon Campervans they do a variety of pre-made packers for various roof profiles. They might have one that matches or advise you on a suitable way ahead

Just sent em a message, their profiles are for tin-tops from what I can see, but I've asked their advice.
I may just put a 10mm hole in the centre of where I'd like to fit it and see what's what. I can always stick a grommet back in there and seal it with some 522 if I don't like what I find.

 

[chimpusmaximus]

Have found a Maxxair compact option now fitting 28x28

Maxxair

 

[Dom1nion]

We went for the Nomadic AirPlus in Black with smoked top. Haven't fitted it yet but have taken it out of the box and powered it up and really impressed with it. It was pretty quiet on the worktop, and there were few vibrations, so may be relatively quiet once mounted on the roof. The bonus is having the blind and lights and in a black housing too.
Once I start the fitting I'll get some pics posted and any other info I can, to help others thinking of the same.

 

[chimpusmaximus]

I'm going to hold fire till the summer and see how I get on. Also possibly planning a larger van build at moment so may not invest much more in current van. Will certainly be interested to see some pics etc.

 

[Dom1nion]

Quick update:
Long weekend so will be installing it on Saturday. Cut back some of the headlining so the saw doesn't snag it. Will be using a Bosch Carbon Fibre jigsaw blade and after watching a few vids for installing in tin-tops, have a pretty good idea of the steps and tools, needed to get it in. Have an 18mm ply mounting ready cut for the inside and with the 10mm of that area of the roof, should be just over the 27mm min. Will be covering that with some foam backed Faux Suede similar to the current roof lining, but purposely a lighter shade of grey, as a near match will look worse than a different shade. I plan to do an Instrucatable for this and will post a link once done. Hopefully, all will be good as we're off to Italy beginning of May, and our youngest also want's to borrow Woody the weekend before we go...



I have stripped all the foam backing from that area now, but it's a PITA to get it all off.



White paint pen used here to mark it.

 

[Dom1nion]

All done and very happy with the result. Very little difference in wind noise at low and motorway speeds. The roof at where the hole was cut was much thicker than expected but that's better as less likely to be a problem later in it's lifetime than if it were thinner.
The Instructable is just waiting review but you should be able to get to it here when approved:
Mounting a Fan/Vent in Campervan Pop-up Roof

 

[buxt5.1]

All done and very happy with the result. Very little difference in wind noise at low and motorway speeds. The roof at where the hole was cut was much thicker than expected but that's better as less likely to be a problem later in it's lifetime than if it were thinner.
The Instructable is just waiting review but you should be able to get to it here when approved:
Mounting a Fan/Vent in Campervan Pop-up Roof

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Ah at last I found someone who has done exactly what I want to do and it has worked a treat by the looks of it. I am a bit worried about cutting through the pop top but will give it a go! Cheers for this.

 

[Dom1nion]

I'm still waiting for the Instructable to be reviewed and cleared, but may take a different route, if they keep dragging it out. One of my first comments that I should have followed, was to drill a pilot hole to check the thickness of the roof where the vent was mounted. But having to make an extra trip to get the right length screws, was a small inconvenience, and it all worked out fine.

 

[Qnapper]

I'm still waiting for the Instructable to be reviewed and cleared, but may take a different route, if they keep dragging it out. One of my first comments that I should have followed, was to drill a pilot hole to check the thickness of the roof where the vent was mounted. But having to make an extra trip to get the right length screws, was a small inconvenience, and it all worked out fine.

Can you show some photo´s of roof in the down locked position from inside as would like to see how it clears the bed area. Thanks and great job by the way.

 

[Dom1nion]

Will do.

 

[buxt5.1]

Will do.

Mine is a short wheel base so therefore I think about 30% would be covered by the bed and 70% uncovered. Plus I’ve made an extra removable shelf for the start of the bed, which can angle up to stop the pillows falling off so when that’s on, it will likely then cover about 80-90% of it, when I come to do it. But the fan is really for when the bed is in use.

 

[Dom1nion]

Mines a LWB and I've also extended the bed by 18". The clearance before was 100mm. I'll grab some shots and measurements shortly and post them here.