Living in a Van: How to Install a Fan-Tastic Vent-Fan

lowgravityascents.com
Music by Cullah
My van is nearly completed. Installing this fan-tastic vent fan is one of the final steps until I can live in it. All in all, installing the vent took about 6 hours. It wasn't difficult, just tedious and ran into a few snags along the way....as all DIY projects go. Very excited to have a vent and a fan in my van so I don't have to sleep with my windows cracked anymore or fog up in the rain.

[@chrissol7643]

If the only thing I get from trying to build out a van is stumbling on the opening song in your video, it was totally worth it. Cullah is insane, thank you!

[@chrisc6504]

learned from experience! the spark from an angle grinder blow all over the place the distance is amazing. they even stick in glass they are so hot, suddenly you start to see spots of rust all over the van these are red hot spark that are now rusting!!!! s.till going to use an angle grinder. you must cover every thing up first other wise very good video.

[@claudineescoffon241]

Great how-to. I appreciate no talking, watching you with your side notes on the video was all I need to learn how to do. A 7 acre fire started next door to me when neighbor used a metal grinder...so be careful.

[@age_of_reason]

I like this no-nonsense approach. Fill in the gaps on the roof with tape. No adapter needed. Shoes would be nice.

[@DavidSandel]

wojtek0000 For the vent?

[@age_of_reason]

Yes, for the fan/vent. I did what you did and it worked great. Saved me a ton of time. Thanks!

[@megaleadjp]

Thanks man, this is exactly what I need to do this summer for my van and now I know.

[@tonyquartermain8610]

Really nice job and you took the time to make the silicone job look good and it looks like it's pretty watertight great job

[@aajustjay]

Thanks so much! This video showed the beginning to end process...especially cutting into the van roof and the tools used.

[@xxSTEMMYxx]

music was on point this whole video!

[@DavidSandel]

I think searching for music took longer than installing the fan!

[@Automedon2]

Just getting ready to put mine in. You answered every question I had - thanks.

[@jens488]

Best video I've seen on installing a roof vent. Thank you!!

[@nubiannemesis4691]

That playlist is pure FIYAH! 👍🏾

[@davidpetrusewicz7729]

love how were shades and gloves but bare foot

[@fivetwothree]

I'm just about to do this install my self. This was an enormous help! Thanks for the video!

[@mellamodiego8458]

love your choice of music!

[@computergardener]

Excellent video, really detailed. thanks for giving back to the community...

[@llotglen]

Distracted by the awesome tunes!!!!

[@GlockNinja]

Thanks for making these videos. I am strongly considering doing this myself.

[@lawsonone6015]

Thumbs the heck up!! Great install and tunes!

[@markladder5203]

What a skill to have; great job.

[@MaximusStimulus]

Nice install........two thumbs up Pal !

[@MyAmberSky]

This is great thank you! You make it look very easy. 😂👍

[@stringbender57]

Nice job!

[@101perspective]

Yeah, getting the nerve to make that first cut is the hardest part...lol. Once I got past that with mine the rest went rather easy. Mine was even one of those round fans. Btw, you can also use a jigsaw or saber saw with a metal cutting blade. That's what I used. You drill a big hole to start and then cut away. I was using a cheap blade and it still cut through the roof with no problem. The only drawback is that you have to have clearance for the blade below on the inside of the van.

[@mulatochino40]

Great tutorial bro on the fan follow your instructions to install my,gracias.👊🏾

[@WannaBFree]

Nice job and video.

[@thomasdarby6084]

Very good... I'll forgive the musical score. But I must comment on one thing you did-- and I've installed over a dozen roof vent fans-- is that you cut the adapter to completely follow the roof line. No-no! It should be cut LEVEL, with the highest point of the roof. Install and screw in the adapter once this is done, and run a bead of RTV completely around the exterior of the adapter (putting some on the interior lip will help as well). Another suggestion is to treat exposed cut metal edges with a rust preventer. Then install the vent fan unit. You won't need to putty any "gaps." The way you have installed it, leaks WILL develop.

[@DavidSandel]

Thomas Darby 2 years no leaks. Thanks.

[@laurad4243]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@tonyquartermain8610]

safety glasses would be a good idea it only takes one shared to make for a crappy day still love the job you did

[@Automedon2]

+Tony Quartermain thanks mommy

[@cinsforgiven7]

Fantastic! 😉

[@NoProGoPronto]

You did a great job. (To be confirmed after the rain) LOL!

[@rmbarnes672]

NoProGoPronto get a buddy up there with a hose as soon as the silicone sets up))

[@DavidSandel]

RM Barnes No need. There was torrential downpours a couple days later. It all worked great!

[@milesdavis1637]

New at this, where do you buy one at? Very nice video 🌞

[@hulududu3878]

The music xx

[@DayDrifterTV]

nice

[@DayDrifterTV]

Day Drifter how about a quickie interior tour, since it looks like you've finished it off w paint job? thanks.

[@DavidSandel]

Day Drifter Not quite ready yet. ;)

[@mtnride4930]

Great video on the install, I am looking to put one in my VW westfalia. How high does it sit on the roof I still want to be able to get my van in the garage. I am looking at wiring issues since it is a pop top. Are you pleased with the performance? my big issue is exhausting the warm air, I assume you got a fan with the reverse option.

[@DavidSandel]

I can't remember how high it sits above the normal roof. Maybe 8 inches? The wiring could be an issue, but just leave enough spare length for when you raise and lower the pop top. The performance is great. It's the 3 speed with both directions.

[@KayaLindsay]

Nice! We're just about to install our fantastic fan. Looks like the same type you have. Has it leaked yet after spending a winter with it? Thanks for the video!

[@DavidSandel]

+Kaya Lindsay No leaks. *knock on wood*

[@KayaLindsay]

+Low Gravity Ascents Glad to hear it. Fingers crossed for you! :)

[@Ian_MacGregor]

Nice job with that installation! How is everything holding up now that it's nearly 2 years later?

[@DavidSandel]

Absolutely brilliant. No leaks, no drafts, no issues. Sucks all the steam out while I'm cooking. Keeps me relatively cool in the summer.

[@Ian_MacGregor]

Awesome, definitely sounds like its worth it for only 6-7 hours of work! Happy travels!

[@Solobolo_101]

Great job , plus the Tunes were on point , makes anyone want to work , now my only Question is how do u Start the fan? Can u run a waterline 2it?

[@DavidSandel]

The control panel is right on the fan. It has 3 speeds and forward and backward. Do you mean a waterline?

[@Solobolo_101]

Whats the power Sourceee????

[@DavidSandel]

Jerry Reveles The house battery

[@kennethhudson8013]

How well does that insulation work for you? Heat and cold comments?

[@bcc2642]

Great install, but where did you connect it to a power source? Did I miss it? Thanks.

[@DavidSandel]

Brian Culver There are two leads that come off the fan. I routed them in the ceiling between the sheeting and the insulation and over into my closet where my battery system will be.

[@charlotteherring5973]

Woyld love to know name of rock band in your video! I might be 67 years old but I DO know great rock when I hear it!!!

[@spiderpilot]

Thanks for the video, this is what I was looking for. By the way, the first song that played on your video, the music is by Cullah? what is the name of the song? thanks

[@rmbarnes672]

spiderpilot "a man with a golden soul" (Cullahnary School)

[@spiderpilot]

Thanks, the song is great.

[@GAMERZ101]

what do u do when it rains

[@JDthevandwellingpro]

Sweet install bro! Great job. Who's the jams from?

[@DavidSandel]

+Jesse Amlin Cullah

[@GreatShambini]

+Low Gravity Ascents Do you have a link for the musician..can't find one?

[@JDthevandwellingpro]

I am now a Cullah fan. Loving 95% of the stuff they have put out.

[@bkw11]

OK, so I just installed my fantastic roof vent yesterday. I have the top black dome open toward the back of the van instead of opening toward the cab. Will this be a problem?

[@DavidSandel]

That's the way it should be installed.

[@mytimeistoday]

Good video, but how is it powered? I assume there's a different video that shows how you wired it in???

[@DavidSandel]

Not specifically. Just an overview of my entire electrical system. The fan had 2 leads coming off of it (positive and negative) that you just wire into the battery system. Pretty straight forward.

[@stephgelliott]

I like your music-- haters be hating. I'm wondering if there is a reason you did the interior ceiling & insulation before doing the fan install-- was this intention? It would seem easier to install fan first, then build insulation and ceiling around it? Am I wrong? Just getting started on my own van... Thank you!

[@lowgravityascents]

That would have been ideal. I didn't realize I wanted a fan right away at first and then after living in it for several months, I realized it was necessary.

[@stephgelliott]

@@lowgravityascents Oh great- thank you for the answer! I've seen videos with it done both ways... so you're not the only one. :)

[@majesty10xu15]

Hi, how is the fan powered? I didn't see any wires? Thanks.

[@DavidSandel]

I routed the wires above the ceiling and into the closet. You can see my whole electircal setup here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZPEoqOgidehd6s

[@everetthartwick1662]

What about the electric was the wire ran before ceiling was put in?

[@DavidSandel]

That would have been the smart thing to do. Problem is, I'm sometimes not very smart. So yes, if at all possible, you should run the wires before the finishing carpentry. It was a real pain to fish the wires in the ceiling with a stretched out coat hanger.

[@livingtherufflife]

So this odel doesn't need power? Can you please tell me what model it is? thanks.

[@DavidSandel]

It needs power, otherwise it's just a vent and not a vent-fan. The wires go inside and routed to your battery before installing the interior trim.

[@StrictlyDelicious]

Can you make a video on how you connected the fan to the battery? I just bought my 1st van, tearing the interior as we speak. And subscribed to your website :) Thank you for your videos!

[@DavidSandel]

Thanks for all that! The fan has a black wire and a white wire Black goes to + and white goes to - . You may need to splice some additional wire in order to reach your battery terminals or bus bar, depending on your configuration. The fan already has a fuse so you don't need to install another one.

[@ivnpck2911]

how much have you spend building this van?

[@CalmTurtle2023]

Sweet tunes.... how did you do the wiring?

[@DavidSandel]

+Jong Lee Used a coat hanger to pull them between the ceiling and the insulation into my closet where my battery system lives.

[@odessawinter4714]

Is the fan connected directly to the batteries or do you have a fuse box?

[@DavidSandel]

There's an inline fuse on the positive line of the fan, but then it goes to a distribution panel.

[@dwaynejay2498]

What tool did you use to make the cut?

[@DavidSandel]

Dwayne Jay A grinder with a cutting wheel.

[@bobwoerner8731]

can this fan be wired directly to the load slots on an mttp solar controller ?

[@DavidSandel]

bob woerner You could, but depending on the controller and how many slots you have available, it might be the only load you can connect. My controller only had one slot but obviously I need to power more than just a fan. That required me to use two bus bars wired in parallel.

[@bobwoerner8731]

its a mttp controller . 2 slots ro solar panel ,2 slots for lines to battery........and 2 slots marked load. i would run everything off the inverter so figured why waste the load slots and run a dedicated line off it to the fan ?

[@DavidSandel]

bob woerner The other thing to remember if you run it straight to the controller is that you'd also only be able to use the fan when the solar panels are generating enough energy to operate it. That means only during the day when the sun is high.

[@bobwoerner8731]

hmm.didnt think of that .figured the controller would hold enough power to run at any time

[@DavidSandel]

bob woerner Nope. None at all. The controller usually shuts itself off when it senses the panels drop below a certain threshold.

[@evandrakent]

Errr where the wiring connection installation part? That's then most important processes in my opinion

[@DavidSandel]

Really? You think connecting two very big, very obvious wires is more important than cutting a permanent 14x14 hole in the middle of your roof?

[@amythistholmes6482]

Did it stay water tight?

[@DavidSandel]

Yessum

[@elvibeat]

does anyone know what music is playing?

[@DavidSandel]

I certainly don't. It just magically appeared on the video. I may have even mentioned it in the comments.

[@elvibeat]

+Low Gravity Ascents haha I swear I checked that 😶 thanks

[@josephzwierzchowski4061]

PLEASE SKIP THE MUSIC PLEASE

[@DavidSandel]

Please thank you please that really helps please.

[@petethegreekre]

I kinda liked it.

[@myjeanification]

Just Mute it..I did.

[@DavidSandel]

Kathleen Biederstadt Stop using common sense. There's no room for that on the internet. ;)

[@breezesomers2736]

The music was like the best part lol

[@ziaullahmohammadi7112]

u want to sell it

[@DavidSandel]

My van?

[@dennisreynolds6915]

No face mask and no shoes while cutting. What a jack leg

[@DavidSandel]

Yeah, it was clearly a dire situation. Did you see that part where nothing was even close to happening? That shit was scary.

[@dennisreynolds6915]

+Low Gravity Ascents you are such a bro! you are so brah

[@DavidSandel]

+Gator Pants What a shame. For a troll, you can't even come up with a good insult.

[@Tuxster3]

And the point of the obnoxious music is?

[@Tuxster3]

***** Ohhhhhh yeah! Talk dirty to me Big Boy! ;)

[@cam-bo11]

+Low Gravity Ascents Music was great and so was the tutorial.