SIMPLE + EASY Maxxiar Fan Install!

[@retiredandroaming]

The very first DIY can builder who understands how reflective barriers work. Well done.

[@FreedomStrider]

Thanks it was a tough journey to understand it.

[@Tom-le2px]

I am putting together as much information on each item of our build before we start, found your videos today, picked up some good tips, especially building frame, going to use pocket holes for ours, as for the man himself GV even he had a leak to sort out post build, thanks for the videos. Cheers

[@FreedomStrider]

Glad you found out videos helpful ☺️ How you construct the frame really doesn't matter as far as leaks go, just do whatever you feel comfortable with. The leaks happen at the sealant stage up on the roof, both us and Greg had a leak due to the same issue. We do have a leak repair video where we experiment with roofing tape 🙂👍

[@Tom-le2px]

@@FreedomStrider Will have a look at the repair video although hoping I won't need it :)😂thank you

[@nealjohnson1461]

Great DIY video. Nothing goes in perfect on a build due to the nature of the vehicles but as we say in the Army “you adapt on overcome “. Great install Neal

[@FreedomStrider]

Thanks 😊... We find that things go the smoothest when we go with the flow and don't stress about it too much 😉

[@theschermulies2366]

it's actually, improvise, adapt, overcome. great video.

[@russ3578]

Good to watch an honest video. Looks great in the end.

[@FreedomStrider]

Cheers! We're happy with the result ☺️

[@OntheRoadLiving]

Kind of like watching a how not to do it video, that's not necessarily a bad thing as I can learn from your problems. I'm planning on fitting a fan this summer and after seeing this I will hopefully offset it slighly from centre of the van so it only contacts two sets of ribs and not three. Thanks for sharing your experience, atb Shaun

[@FreedomStrider]

For a first time installation, we hit a few stumbles but it wasn't too difficult to solve them, and honestly other than putting a few more screws here or there, picking the right drill bit to begin with, we wouldn't really change much, we'd just be more efficient. But yeah, the key is to watch as many installations as possible because you pick up something from everybody. Good luck, tell us how it goes :) P.S: Make sure none of your screws are visible, cover them really well in sealant, if you see any silver of the screw cover it no matter how small it is.

[@rainbowsontheroad]

Brilliant job guys :-)

[@FreedomStrider]

❤😀

[@neiljemmerson8826]

Love watching these videos, proves anyone an have a go even with not much experience, how far on this van are you? Is this up to date? 6 months ago since first video I'd like to be camping int it by now haha, keep up good work

[@FreedomStrider]

Yeah...so would we, would love to go warm up in the canary islands or something! These videos are pretty up to date, we are doing the build rather slowly as this is our first build, the videos are about a month behind from when they were filmed, but in terms of what has actually been done on the van since then, not much has changed...yet ;D It's great doing these videos to show people that if 2 numpties can go through a van conversion with 0 experience, then anyone can do it. hahaha xD

[@neiljemmerson8826]

@@FreedomStrider ha your not numpties, its a big investment you need to do it right if that means slow n steady then so be it🐌😁

[@CarlJones14]

Sikeflex 521 is the bees knees. Very neat work. For all the drilling, you could've put some screws through the roof into the wood frame while the sikeflex dried and then put the butyl tape down over those screws. Those Maxair Fans are quite high. I would put something over those external side fixing screws.maybe a blob of Sikeflax.👍

[@FreedomStrider]

Not a bad idea at all, for our skylight we may take you up on that suggestion! As for the corner screws, we think that's a good idea too, next time it's not raining outside and we hop on the roof, we'll take the sealant with us and put more on. 😊

[@Antonia.Bradley]

Good work Guys :)

[@FreedomStrider]

Cheers! It was quite a successful day of work... managed to close up the hole before it rained and before the sun when down ';D

[@AdventureOtaku]

Use the holes in the plastic frame to mark your holes. Then drill the holes without the plastic frame. Then put the frame on and screw into the wood.

[@FreedomStrider]

Thanks 👍

[@Scott-wz4sc]

Any problems with the sikaflex leaking or not sticking to the plastic when cured? I've heard it's to do with the oils in the plastic! 🤷‍♂️

[@FreedomStrider]

No, no problems with it unsticking off the plastic yet, we cleaned the surface with isopropyl alcohol so hope that helped. We did have a leak that we fixed in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6LWlqSmqad9l6s The weakest points are the screws and any sections where the sikaflex is not smoothly finished as that could hide an air pocket.

[@rookjack117]

Good video, should of used CT1 or a stronger adhesive on the frame and a small 4 inch angle grinder would of been a lot easier to use than the jigsaw. But hey you got the job done and it looks good. Well done guys I enjoy your videos!

[@FreedomStrider]

Thanks ☺️👍 - we don't feel as accurate with an angle grinder, but that might be due to practice.

[@thehillsx1]

Most people do use a jigsaw, as a grinder spits sparks all over.

[@Scott-wz4sc]

Angle grinder defo not needed! Sparks everywhere! Just a sharp, good quality, metal cutting blade for the jigsaw.

[@MrSharK97]

Been looking for this fan for weeks out of stock everywhere.. Or for £ 1345 on eBay ..

[@FreedomStrider]

Yes we've seen that too, it seems to be because they are manufactured in the US and the stock in UK and Europe has been bought up. Looks like mid may for restock, might be best to preorder from somewhere like jacksons leasuire 🤞

[@williamchanning9055]

I think u should have viewed Greg Virgos van build and the episode on fitting the max air fan, at least you give it a go 😊

[@FreedomStrider]

I don't understand what you mean, the fan is in and working perfectly with no leaks? We've seen Greg's video, and others, they've done the same

[@williamchanning9055]

@@FreedomStrider you maybe wouldn't have encountered as many difficulties, that's all.. glad it turned out okay

[@andrewcutting7675]

Hi guys what size hole did you cut? Just about to do mine

[@FreedomStrider]

WE cut a 400 x 400 mm hole for our fan, as the instructions said, although we did debate for a while whether to cut a 355mm square hole instead. Both will work apparently, but we stuck with the 400mm square.

[@FreedomStrider]

Given that we had watched many many videos in the past month, I can safely say we would not have made less mistakes xD The fact of the matter is, no matter how much you study the theory of how to do something, when you actually do it for the first time, you do encounter a few random stumbles, and how am I to know when the drill bits say metal, that they actually don't cut through metal?! :p