Maxxair - who's fitted one to an existing "skylight"

[PaulC70]

I'm looking at buying and fitting a maxxair deluxe and wondering if anyones fitted one and if they have any tips / tricks or anything to watch out for on doing so?
I've a Bailey Alliance SE 2021 and will fit to the existing skylight in middle of the van which is above the cooker.

 

[Dramfineday]

YouTube "Roming in Raymond". Carl fitted one in an Elddis

 

[ivorantony]

You Tube is your friend, a couple of vids on there and you can down load the fitting instructions,

 

[Janine]

AdamH fitted one. I will give him a nudge....

 

[Guigsy]

I'm thinking of doing the same. My only concern is where to power it from.

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[Two on Tour]

Fellow Funster Wissel fitted did a couple of good videos on fitting a Maxxair, he's probably your best source of info.

 

[Poutie57]

I’ve just fitted one. Replaced the Heki 40cm x40cm, used mastic roll 1st then sikaflex 522 around the edges. I found the 12volt supply ok but making a horizontal 30cm length hole through the roof insulation was bit of a task. I’ve been really impressed with it so far given the choice between this, fiamma and dometic I’m glad I decided on the Maxair

 

[G7UXG]

I’ve recently fitted one to a Carthago where there was an inferior skylight and fan in a 400mm square hole. Easier than I thought. Took me about 3 hours to remove the old one and refit the Maxxfan, and I’d never done anything like it before.

Used Dekaseal mastic to seal it and screwed it’s to the roof, as per the instructions, making sure all the screws were well sealed. It’s been hammered with rain in Spain on route down here a couple of weeks ago and no sign of a leak.

RoadPro wanted £650 to supply and fit, and the unit is only £315. In my mind, that’s excessive just for a job that only took me three hours; I’d expect they’d have done it in less than two.

For someone with reasonable DIY skills, it’s easily achievable.

And it works very well too, creating excellent air flow.

 

[PaulC70]

There is only one "Stay the night" location in the Highlands & that's on the Struie road near Tain.

Stay the Night | Forestry and Land Scotland

Everything you need to know about FLS' Stay the Night scheme where self-contained campervans can park overnight in some of our forest car parks.

forestryandland.gov.scot

Roming in Raymond

Just watched, very informative

You Tube is your friend, a couple of vids on there and you can down load the fitting instructions,

Looked at youtube earlier but didn't find many that weren't cutting into a PVC, was after replacements ie taking out a manufacturer skylight and replacing with maxxfan if you see what i mean

I'm thinking of doing the same. My only concern is where to power it from.

Yeah, im wondering if there's wires already there.

Fellow Funster Wissel fitted did a couple of good videos on fitting a Maxxair, he's probably your best source of info.

Just found through a search on here and realised thats one Id already watched which was helpful.

 

[PaulC70]

I’ve just fitted one. Replaced the Heki 40cm x40cm, used mastic roll 1st then sikaflex 522 around the edges. I found the 12volt supply ok but making a horizontal 30cm length hole through the roof insulation was bit of a task. I’ve been really impressed with it so far given the choice between this, fiamma and dometic I’m glad I decided on the Maxair

why do you need to make a 30cm length hole?

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[Landy Andy]

Fitted one to my Adria and was pleased to find an electrical supply already in the roof void.

Buying again I would not buy the “clear” version, I would go white, and not have the flimsy blind bit that goes inside. Even the ”clear” is smoked, so very light anyway.

 

[Poutie57]

why do you need to make a 30cm length hole?

To go from the fan to inside of the kitchen cupboard where I picked up a spare 12v connection actual diameter of the hole was 15mm that enable me to push the cable through

 

[Googlebot]

There is a thread in my signature from when I fitted one.

Where to put the Maxxair fan?

It’s arrived, sealant is coming, now I just need to decide where to put it. First thought was above the beds at the back and replace the existing roof light. However I can also put it in the middle between the chimney for the oven and the bathroom skylight. Where has everyone else put theirs...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Very good and well recommended.

 

[Hoovie]

If I could replace the existing roof vent with a Maxxair Fan I would unfortunately the top cover extension would foul the roof furniture so it is not possible. (just mentioning this as the sixe of the existing opening is not the only consideration).

Also something to remember ... it is an American product, so the black wire is the +12V line and NOT the ground

 

[dhall26]

I have been a bit disappointed that the blind wasn't included and when I bought one I found that the blind is translucent and doesn't give proper blackout at night

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[Garry - June]

I fitted two to our van last summer...one above our rear bed and one in the lounge/kitchen area...absolutely love them...easy enough to cut out the old units using a long blade Stanley knife to cut through the sealant...clean it all up then bed the Maxxfan surround the roof...some have not used the screws but I did making sure they are well coated in sealant...the hardest part is making a channel through the roof insulation to a suitable 12v supply...I did it by using a long length of threaded rod which you can buy from B&Q and pushing it through back and forth until it got to where I wanted...took a bit of effort but so much better than running cables through conduit stuck to the roof... they perform brilliantly but the easily removed grills do need regular cleaning..

 

[PaulC70]

I have been a bit disappointed that the blind wasn't included and when I bought one I found that the blind is translucent and doesn't give proper blackout at night

will the original blind not fit it then?

 

[Guigsy]

We've got a drop-down bed over the cab. It's got a 400mm rooflight above it. I was thinking about replacing it with a Maxxfan. How low profile to the ceiling is the fan? Is it all pretty robust? What is the blind addition like?

Reason being, when we push the bed back up, especially with the bedding up there, there's not much room and it'll get stuff squashed into it. The existing blind cassette sits about 20mm proud of the roof and that's enough to make a difference as to where we throw the ladder when we shove everything back up there.

 

[dhall26]

My Maxxair blind (the one with LED lights) is 43mm deep. And as I said it's translucent so at night I have to cover it up to keep the light out.
It's quite clever. If left on auto it opens and closes automatically according to temperature.
I didn't have an original blind as this is in a new build.

 

[Googlebot]

We've got a drop-down bed over the cab. It's got a 400mm rooflight above it. I was thinking about replacing it with a Maxxfan. How low profile to the ceiling is the fan? Is it all pretty robust? What is the blind addition like?

Reason being, when we push the bed back up, especially with the bedding up there, there's not much room and it'll get stuff squashed into it. The existing blind cassette sits about 20mm proud of the roof and that's enough to make a difference as to where we throw the ladder when we shove everything back up there.

Picture of the profile below.

They are quite robust but we haven’t got the blind as ours is in the kitchen area.

I still regret putting the solar panel at the front as I would have got another for above the bed, it would make a great addition.

The mesh is steel and quite strong.

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[Trout bum]

I got mine fitted by the Motorhome Centre in Glasgow I supplied the unit they fitted it wish I had done it myself as they charged a fortune to fit it I could have bought 2 and fitted them myself for less than they charged for fitting so don't use them they are very expensive for fitting or repairing motorhomes .now I've looked into it , it's an easy job just make sure the sky light is same size as maxair fan , most important job is cleaning off old sealant once skylight is removed then cleaning the area , follow the instructions and it will be fine , you can take the power lead back to fuse box or take a supply from interior light if there's one close by just make sure you put in an inline fuse .

 

[PaulC70]

Well bit of an update, got an email from ebay, usual rubbish "oh look at us, oh look it's the jubilee, oh look here's 20% off selected retailers" blah blah blah.

THEN I thought, could there be a retailer on there selling a maxxfan delux that would honour it?
YES was the answer, now awaiting my maxxfan delux from ebay (just kampers retailer) at only £260 delivered!!!

 

[PaulC70]

Remember to put CROWN20 in at the checkout!!

 

[125BEER]

Not a fit guide but I did clean mine the other day.....

 

[PaulC70]

There is a thread in my signature from when I fitted one.

Where to put the Maxxair fan?

It’s arrived, sealant is coming, now I just need to decide where to put it. First thought was above the beds at the back and replace the existing roof light. However I can also put it in the middle between the chimney for the oven and the bathroom skylight. Where has everyone else put theirs...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Very good and well recommended.

Just watched that, great video, just bought the bits to go with the fan ie sealant etc.

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[gus-lopez]

Not a fit guide but I did clean mine the other day.....View attachment 621906View attachment 621907View attachment 621908View attachment 621909View attachment 621910

On mine you just rotate 4 x 1/4 turn clips to allow the mesh cover to drop out allowing access to the fan blade & above? No need to disconnect any electrics or the surround etc:

 

[Catpirate]

Similar problem for me. I was fitting a Truma ac system needed mains and 12v. Hardest job is cutting through the insulation to a suitable cupboard for the supply. In my case the wardrobe, started with a pilot drill and finished with 15mm copper pipe, about 30cm to cut. Pushed some 13mm plastic tubing in then ran cables through. Once you start the job you have to finish. Love it now but does take b**ls to start.

 

[huck999]

My Maxxair blind (the one with LED lights) is 43mm deep. And as I said it's translucent so at night I have to cover it up to keep the light out.
It's quite clever. If left on auto it opens and closes automatically according to temperature.
I didn't have an original blind as this is in a new build.

I have the tinted cover so the blind is quite adequate at keeping the light out. Led light is excellent.
Very easy to install though - Sikaflex and screws. Hardest bit was pushing the cover down onto the gasket and inserting the fixing screws. Really a 2 man job but my roof was already groaning under my weight
The auto function is great for when van is left unattended on hot days.

 

[fat haggis]

I love mine. Alway have it on 10% when the dogs are on the van. I have for cover also a bit flimsy and the led light is great. Fantastic bit of kit all vans should have them.

 

[Adrianlle]

I’ve fitted one too- to replace 40xm Heki in bathroom of a James Cook. Easy job. Cleaning off old mastic was messy but hardest part was getting a 12v supply to it. Brilliant piece of kit, though as others have said, the blind is not completely blackout.