Mod: MaxxFan Deluxe

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
Most folks who wanted a bathroom fan have chosen the Fantastic Fan with an European 16"x16" base to fit our European opening (versus American sized 14"x14" opening). There apparently were no other options, but Wasaabi has found and installed one.

Wasaabi has used a MaxxFan Deluxe, which is available in a 16"x16" base size to fit our opening. In addition, the MaxxFan Deluxe has similar features to the Fantastic Fan used by most of us:

10 speeds
In/Out
Manual operated open/close lid as well as automatic motor driven open/close
Removable screen for easier cleaning
Remote Control
Requires screwholes into fiberglass top and interior ceiling (versus clamp style of original skylight)

The MaxxFan Deluxe also has two support arms (versus one for Fantastic Fan), a built-in rain hood (when closed, would extend beyond rear of fiberglass top), electronic display on remote, and maybe other features.

The latest Fantastic Fan has a removable fan blade for easier cleaning. Do not know if MaxxFan has this option.

Do not know which one is more efficient at which fan speed.

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=581545&postcount=4

http://www.airxcel.com/maxxair/products/fans/maxxfan-deluxe
 
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Wasaabi

Sprinter Westfalia #133
Thank you for summarizing, OldWest. In my case, I already had a conversion to American 14x14 opening that was done by previous owner to accommodate a very un-Fantastic conventional fanless vent. The conversion was done with a thick piece of plexiglass that was cut to size and screwed into original opening with screws that drove into the perimeter through the fiberglass and into the wooden support frame between the two layers of fiberglass. This thick plexi had a 14x14 square opening cut into it. The fanless duct (and now my Maxxfan) screw into this plexi with small screws and nuts. Plexi allows for a good seal. However, as you point out, it is much easier to do this without going the custom route by simply using a premade euro to USA adapter.
 
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I installed the Maxxair Deluxe in the air conditioner opening when I removed the air conditioner and bathroom skylight from my Westfalia about two years ago. I have been very happy with it so far. I may be reinstalling the fan into the bathroom skylight opening (slightly reconfigured) as I move towards installing as large a solar panel as possible.
 

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
If you order the international 400x400 mm MaxxFan size, it'd be centered in the original opening.

If you went with a 14"x14" MaxxFan like Wasaabi, you could push the placement of fan toward vehicle front of opening so less of the raincover would stick out over the rear of the fiberglass top. So the 14"x14" MaxxFan would.not be centered in original 16"x16" opening.

Would have issue of how to finish the interior ceiling.
 

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
1. Call Manufacturer to Verify and Source

You may want to contact airxcel and ask them is there any American source for the international 400x400 "KI40" model, and if not, any international source like

http://leisurevehicleservices.co.uk/maxxfan-deluxe-model/

(referencing 40 cm x 40 cm)

2. Airxcel MaxxFan Website Installation Instructions for International Model "KI40" Suffix

http://www.airxcel.com/maxxair/products/fans/maxxfan-deluxe

Download the installation instructions for the international version from link above. First page states the following:

READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
NOTE: Refer to supplied Operating Instructions regarding the model you have purchased.
The MAXXFAN installs into a standard RV roof opening of 355mm x 355mm for KI models
and 400mm x 400mm for KI40 models.
To determine if your roof opening is correctly sized, simply remove the interior ceiling garnish
trim ring of your existing roof vent and measure the ceiling opening or verify the opening is
large enough by sliding the MAXXFAN interior garnish trim ring into the opening.

3. Keep Forum Posted

Let us know what you find out. You may also want to double-check the dimensions of each model as Wasaabi's 14"x14" model has overhang in rear and the larger opening version may have a different overhang.

4. Alternative

Of course, there is the Fantastic Fan option as well which many Westy owners have installed and sourced the 16" x16"/40cmx40cm/400mmx400mm size from rvvent.com

http://rvvent.com/eurovent.htm

5. Installation

You may want to search all the installation threads. There is a wood frame between the fiberglass top and the interior ceiling. Some folks have skillfully screwed into that frame.while others have had to make the frame wider so screws would screw into the wood frame.
 
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OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
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coloradobjj

New member
FYI from Maxxair, sales@airva.eu pretty pricey for the 400x400 imo-
"The Maxxair 7000KI40 with European size is for European market and does not exist in USA.
We can sell you one unit if you want. Exw our warehouse price is 400€ without VAT. It is available on stock so delivery time EXW warehouse is 2 days after receiving your order and wire transfer.
If you are interested, please let me know if you order under a company or as a particular. In this case I have to add VAT.
If you want air freight cost, I need your complete delivery address to ask for a quotation."
 

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
Thanks for update. Maybe you'll find one on European ebay or some other European company with free shipping.

Otherwise, Wasaabi's route of a modified opening is an optiion. In lieu of a plexiglass filler frame, might do something like:

TNeuer (4x4) did a really nice job of fiberglassing over most of the roof openings, so might be able to redo the opening that way. Maybe would add an additional 14"x14" lightweight wooden frame support to the inside of the existing 16"x16" frame, then fiberglass over the new smaller wooden frame.

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54496

Alternatively or in addition, maybe fiddle around with TNeuer skylight brush guards to filll in difference between opening sizes:

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56567
 

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
Oh, poster above--Robert Foster--must have modified the large air conditioner opening to fit the smaller opening MaxxFan. Maybe he'll chime in with some more details.
 

Adolphus

Member
Thank you for the link! Has anyone installed the maxx air at the existing bathroom vent site? If so, would be nice to see a pic of how it looks with the rear lip overhang.
 

Camp

Sprinter Westfalia
Thank you for the link! Has anyone installed the maxx air at the existing bathroom vent site? If so, would be nice to see a pic of how it looks with the rear lip overhang.
Haven't installed yet, but I recall at least two on Instagram. One with the black MaxxFan, another with the white one. Could only find the white one.

https://www.instagram.com/roadschoolusa/

Closed:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0uYav7hOkn/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1r2TWJB5JO/
Open:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbcXy7aFlbi/
 

MrTomacco

Mr. Tommaco
I found a manual Dometic 2250 at https://solartown.com/rv-and-marine...1YsZIPhvrnk1gARc0pKbBsMO0aOXfvuRoC8SoQAvD_BwE

That claims to be 400x400 mm and Dimensions product width 469.90 mm In stock. (18.5 inches)

The dometic site shows discontinued and different dimentions
Dimensions product depth, [mm]
419.10 (16.5 inches)
Dimensions product width, [mm]
419.10
The more I look the confuseder I get I may try installing my new 14 incher guts in the old 18.5 housing
 

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