Temperature Controlled Vent Fan?

mx4789
mx4789 Member Posts: 71
in Modifications & Upgrades

Has anyone investigated creating a temperature controlled/operated vent fan?

The cover surrounding the port hole window in the door fell off recently due to the heat building up inside. I stuck it back on, but don't really expect it to stay for very long. I will end up having to glue it on I suspect.

But, this got me to wondering about a vent fan that would open and turn on when the temperature inside exceeds a certain degree. (I have a vent fan on the roof of my house that is solar powered and only turns on in the daytime and when the temperature is over 85 degrees.)

I also think it'd be valuable since I could leave the battery on all of the time so the fan could operate off of battery power and then the battery can charge via the built in solar panel, therefore not having the battery just sitting idle for weeks or months on end.

I might be open to installing something in the floor (in the rear) such as an air duct (think dryer hose/vent), this seems like it would be less complicated than trying to replace the fantastic fan and wouldn't require any kind of operating mechanism other than a fan and a thermostat. It could be manually opened closed since it would only be needed in the summer months.

Any thoughts?

2025 Tab 320 S BD
2024 Nissan Frontier

Comments

  • rfuss928
    rfuss928 Member Posts: 1,192
    edited September 13

    Many folks have replaced the stock ceiling fan with a model of MaxxFan Deluxe which include temperature controlled variable speed venting and several other nice features.

    https://www.maxxair.com/products/fans/maxxfan-deluxe-00-07500K/

  • mx4789
    mx4789 Member Posts: 71

    I will look into that. I knew some had rain sensors and such, but not thermostat control.

    After my original post, I realized that having the vent in the roof/top of the camper is probably the best location due to heat rising, etc. And, replacing the existing fan with a somewhat drop in replacement makes more sense than trying to McGyver something on my own.

    2025 Tab 320 S BD
    2024 Nissan Frontier
  • rh5555
    rh5555 Member Posts: 538
    edited September 14

    Similar option from Dometic:

    Has the advantage of a low profile when closed if you have clearance issues in your garage.

    Roger and Sue Hill | 2020 T@B400 Boondock (Cryst@bel) | 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 - P400 | San Juan Island, WA
  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,654

    A few years ago, there was a mod to replace the three speed Fantastic Fan Switch with a "rheostat" type with infinite speeds.

    PWM Variable Speed Fan Controller Mod

    I noodled around on the interweb for a few minutes, and apparently smarter people than me have figured out a way to have a thermostat in place of the original three way switch. Link goes to YouTube instructions.

    How to Wire A Thermostat To A RV Vent Fan

    If you like to tinker that might be useful. My PWM infinite speed mod is still working great, and it was one of the first "electrical" things I ever tacked in my trailer.

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi

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