Need help with Maxxair Maxxfan upgrade

I just completed this switch to the MaxxAir. In a stroke of bad luck I happened to drill through the 12v wires when drilling the holes to secure the new fan. When the new fan wouldn’t work I had to track down exactly why those wires weren’t getting power. Very frustrating! Eventually I solved it (with patient help from a methodical neighbor who’s good at these things). 

@RPMustang The roof can dent VERY easily. Try to do a test push to find out where the frame is so you aren’t applying your weight in between framing members.

I was able to work on the majority of the install through the hole in the roof. The only time you really need to lean on the roof is to install the two screws on the driver side of the fan. I put down multiple blankets as a safeguard since I needed to lean a little of my weight against the roof. 

W.r.t. the question about putting weight on the roof, I just replaced our fan (with a MaxxAir) and found that in order to install the screws and the sealant I needed to be able to see over the top of the fan to the driver's side. So I took a 2x6 that was long enough to reach from side to side, and was able to kneel on that to reach the entire perimeter of the fan. 

I just installed a 7500K on my 2022 Tab 320S. I was surprised to find out the original fantastic fan was not screwed to the roof. It was glued with some clear glue and looked like hot glue. I did not install the screw that is right above the power cables to avoid damaging them. One screw did not make any difference in the sturdiness of the flange. I also purchased stainless steel self-tapping screws at Home Depot: same size, but self-tapping. The screws included with the fan were too soft, and even though I drilled pilot holes, they were bending, and I was afraid one would break. On the inside, I used one of the self-tapping screws to drill the pilot hole for the screws included with the Maxxair flange. Just don't drill all the way through so the hole is not too big for the screw. I added a magnetic blackout cover when I didn't want any light coming in through the translucent lid. 

Also,if you find your head intersecting with the three-pronged MaxxFan knob, I posted a link to a 3-D printable round knob that can replace it.

bjn2 said:

Just a note that our 2023 320s BD came with a base level MaxxFan. NuCamp trimmed/reinforced the inside of the opening with 1x2 wood. Unfortunately, that wood reduces headroom and Nucamp left sharp corners that put divots in my head until I covered them with foam padding. NuCamp changed the mounting in 2024 so the ceiling fan trim is flush. Eventually, I'd like to upgrade to the Deluxe MaxxFan and hope it's possible to remove the wood to regain headroom.

@bjn2 Have you (or anyone) seen how the MaxxFan flush interior mount works? I’m in the middle of replacing the Fantastik fan with a manual MaxxFan (4401K). The sales info for the new one said it works with 1” roof thickness, but the paperwork inside mentions a minimum 2” thickness unless you get the really basic MaxxFan Mini, which I’d never heard of.

Perhaps nuCamp added an exterior trim ring, on the roof?

qhumberd said:

…
The higher cost Maxxfans all can use a 1 inch roof apparently

Yup - the Deluxe ones (and the Mini and the round Dome models, and maybe the low profile LP model) handle 1&1/8 inch roofs like ours.  However the long hood of the Deluxes would shade our back solar panel. Since all we wanted is the quietness, we got the base model.  The 4401K is silent on the lowest speed, so hurray for that.
We are 5’7” at most, so the inside trim would work. Still, I’m trying to raise the outside fan mount ~ ½” with some weatherproof exterior trim; maybe marine grade HDPE.