Installing our MAXXAIR FAN | Fiat Ducato | UK Self-Build Campervan Conversion

[@sillytorque]

Well done. A few things to consider: (1) don't use the upper housing to measure the hole... you will end up with the inner dimension and you need the outer. Make a cardboard template of 400mm (or 355mm if you have the smaller one. That's why it didn't fit first time (2) Ensure the Butyl tape doesn't over lap ( it's then a high point) but fits hard against each piece and smear lightly with I knife tip to merge it in. (3) if you wet your finger you can smooth the sikaflex out a bit easier (4) be very careful pushing down on the lid, it's mechanism can break. Use a small screw driver in the screw hole to force the lineup with LIGHT pressure on top. (5) An old blanket with a small bit of plywood onto will help spread your weight over a larger portion of the roof.

[@OurVanPlan]

Thanks for the tips. It was one of the first things I did and seems like ages ago!

[@charlevoix418]

The best screw sealing is when you put the Sikaflex under the screw head instead of over it, even if the MaxxAir instructions tells to do so.

[@alanhesse2507]

To fix the fan with the 4 screws pull the 4 metal tabs up to align the holes

[@sharonlee782]

A tip for using sealant. Spray you finger with windex then smooth the edges off, you’ll get a nice smooth finish 😀

[@dan_ll]

Great video! Thanks for taking the effort to make it and show everything in such detail

[@OurVanPlan]

Glad you found it helpful. Thanks 🙏

[@westfield75]

Great job. Well done you guys. We have just cut four big window holes (for windows) into our brand new van. It was daunting to say the least. It’s all a massive learning curve. Ignore people’s negative comments. They obviously have nothing better to do!!! I’m sure you will post your review of the fan. We can’t decide wether to put one in or not. Good luck with the next stage.

[@OurVanPlan]

Thank you! I’m relieved windows are one thing we didn’t need to do so you’re braver than us! Great experience and we’ll never stop learning doing things like this!

[@PJDX2010]

Really useful video! The fitting process was filmed well and made the process easy to follow. Looks like a good end result in terms of a fan unit that is properly installed and is never going to leak. You may not be fussed given the exterior is generally out of sight but a silicon profiling kit , which are just a few quid to purchase, can help to tidy up the sikaflex better than the traditional "finger" method.

[@OurVanPlan]

Thanks for the feedback and will check that out. I’m not happy that it’s not neat but have come to terms with it 😂

[@dylantucker7951]

Thanks for making this video! Interesting to see that you made the whole wider which allows the edge with the horizontal lines in it through the whole and for only the flat part to make contact on the roof (probably haven't explained that well.) So many seem to mount the entire outer flange on the ceiling which means it isn't flush, hence they have to build it out really high with the strips.

[@OurVanPlan]

Glad you like it. Yeah it was tricky working out the best approach but this way seemed to work nicely and keep everything super flat to the roof.

[@dylantucker7951]

@@OurVanPlan Thanks for the reply! Do you think just sikaflex would work instead of mastic strip? I'd normally just use sikaflex but I can see the outer flange isn't smooth, with lots of those lined recesses that run around.

[@nedperry8527]

Thanks for sharing , you are doing a great job, nothing is easy the first time you do anything and you are leaning as you go . I can see this being a well built conversion , well done chaps. PS I have Subscribed and looking forward to more videos 👍

[@OurVanPlan]

Ah that’s great, thanks for the kind words 😊

[@oldgold5636]

I'm not sure but I think the white capped screws are for the inside of the van

[@stagecoacheastgrinstead5456]

Great video, so informative and certainly gives me the confidence to crack on with mine. Like you, brand new Ducato on order, hopefully delivery in March. 🤞🏼

[@OurVanPlan]

Thank you. Exciting to have a new van on the way. The first cut is scary on a new vehicle but then it becomes second nature 😂

[@zaned2653]

Love these video’s. Very helpful. You sir have a new subscriber.

[@OurVanPlan]

Thanks Zane welcome along!

[@Poontang123]

always find the right screw driver for the head your using so you dont shred the head

[@peterc2248]

Nice effort on a very daunting job. Enjoyable to watch :-)

[@OurVanPlan]

Thanks Richard

[@peterc2248]

@@OurVanPlan And ignore the plonkers who reply negatively :-)

[@OurVanPlan]

Everyone is an expert 😆

[@mu92nj]

You guys are awesome, best regards from Iraq

[@OurVanPlan]

Thanks Mustafa good to have you along

[@paulosborne8256]

You used the wrong screws to attach the fan the 4 white screws are for when you've finished your ceiling and are attaching the plastic edging cover.

[@OurVanPlan]

Ah ok that’d make sense! We’re fitting the MaxxShade too so I think they’ll be hidden luckily!

[@tonymoore3295]

Can't be easy cutting into a new van. Bet you're glad that's over! :-)

[@OurVanPlan]

Yep, big relief 😂

[@nur5ey1]

I must admit the term 'apply liberally' may be stretched slightly further than the norm but at least it won't leak!! 😉👍

[@OurVanPlan]

Haha belts and braces! The awful weather has certainly tested it to the max!

[@nur5ey1]

@@OurVanPlan I must admit I've got my maxxair and heki midi to install soon but after doing the bonded windows it could go either way!! Haha..😉👍

[@a1d3nh0]

I cannot believe I’ve just seen this video now. All the other videos don’t have that extra plastic lip and it was so confusing. I’ve spent the last 2.5 hours grinding that lip down to make it level to the roof.

[@OurVanPlan]

Yeah I remember it being really confusing and I’d have done the same I think.

[@WestysGate]

I love the videos by the way, we have just bought the same van. 😃 Are you happy about the placement of the fan, I'm thinking of doing the same. I can't decide whether to have it over our bed at the back. Is it ok in that position in the heat?

[@OurVanPlan]

Ah great. It’s a fantastic van. The location of the fan is good as it also helps when cooking. The lack of a vent in the bed area is a pain as it does get quite warm but nothing we can’t manage. I think having a maxxair in the back might be too much but if I was starting again I’d include a small skylight or something in the back, or maybe vents in the walls or rear doors, just so when the fan was on it’d drag the air across us.

[@WestysGate]

@@OurVanPlan It's funny you say that because I have also bought a maxair skymax skylight as well. Basically trying to decide which one to put where haha I was thinking of putting the max air fan deluxe in the front because I think having the air from that on you would be too much as it's a pretty decent fan. And have the skylight in the back

[@DaredevilGnome]

Hi I was just wondering what width sealing strip did you use as I have my fan on order and want to get everything ready for when it's delivered.

[@OurVanPlan]

It’s the 32mm x 5m mastic strip off Amazon 👍🏻

[@TheVinn3h]

why do people not do this with a grinder?

[@OurVanPlan]

Sometimes you have to use the tools you have. Also grinders throw metal filings everywhere.

[@andrewsteventon4371]

I would like to know what the total cost of equipment and furnishings is as I am thinking of doing this

[@OurVanPlan]

I don’t really have a total cost right now, we’re tracking spend and will do a video on that at the end of the build. But you could spend as much or as little as you like on a conversion really.

[@davidlittle2925]

tip for next time put the silicone in the holes you drilled then put the screw in seals under the screw head screws should be stainless steel anyway watched a few of these they all put the frame in first to strenthen the roof, far to much silicone used ,another tip i helped my brother fit a narrowboat out he used wickes silicone at 3 quid a tube does exactly the same as stixflex at 10 quid a tube just a brand name

[@Yahoomediaclub]

My Maxxair never went as smooth, body of the fan actually was a real pain to line up with the 4 screws...still never managed later either. Day later I went to remove 2 screws and they would NOT come out...real proper pain and badly designed fitting strategy. Good fan tho.

[@OurVanPlan]

Yeah that bit was a pain to be fair. One of the screws didn’t bite properly but hoping it’ll stay put!

[@stephenkingston1557]

What thickness of wood did you use?!

[@OurVanPlan]

I think it was 32mm square