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Ceiling vent

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#22 ·
surly Bill said:
And it provides a great doorway into your van for mosquitos and gnats. If it's cold outside, THEY are cold; let them in!
Click to expand...
Technically you aren't quite correct on this statement. As most of us know mosquitos are attracted to our CO2 and body heat. If you have a cross ventilation system where the outside incoming air is only flowing in, then there is little to nothing to attract mosquitos. What is important is that the air that flows outside the van/enclosure has some sort of mesh that prevents the little suckers from flying in through the outlet. If the air velocity exiting the van is high enough, then even without some sort of screen, they wont be able to fly in. OTOH, if you turn off your ventilation fan, and the heat inside the van and CO2 are free to flow out any/all of the van's openings, then all bets are off and they will quickly figure out all the ways to get inside and bite you.

Edit: I am not so sure about the habits of gnats. I would presume that they would get sucked in to an open inlet vent...
 
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#23 ·
I just installed this floor vent - haven't hit the road yet, but expecting low dust due to location. Will have a dust filter that is removable from the inside for cleaning. If it backfires, I'll definitely update the post.

I was originally gonna do two roof vents, but went floor for cross breeze/more space for solar.

www.fordtransitusaforum.com

Why *wouldn't* you do the floor vent like this?

Was inspired by you all to go the floor vent vs dual fan route. Thank you. Going to try one to start & potentially add another if we want more intake. We're using the spot just behind the driver, with the big hole in the chassis down below. Well documented how to do this, BUT... Gonna go a...
www.fordtransitusaforum.com www.fordtransitusaforum.com
 
#24 ·
Much of this discussion talks about combining two different functions: ventilation and cooling crossbreeze.

For ventilation, all you really need is an exhaust fan and one a couple of small intake openings. The intake air will naturally mix with the air in the van, and you will get decent ventilation even if the location of the fan/intake is not "ideal."

Location of the intake openings is more dependent upon how stealthy you want to be. For stealth, under the van makes sense. But as others have pointed out, stealth is mostly a myth these days, so a couple of conveniently located wall openings can work for most.

Nesting bugs can be a problem, and so it is important to screen these openings against bugs. Dust is also a problem, and so it is important to make them very accessible and easy to seal off when driving.

For cooling one's body, the best thing is a dedicated cooling fan that you can adjust to blow right on you at the desired speed.
 
#25 ·
Passive crossbreeze to exchange hot for cool air would be ideal, but not always practical for every circumstance. An outlet at the top and an intake down low, as far as possible from the outlet, creates the most air exchange. Theoretically, a venturi effect would be created by the heat rising and exiting via the top outlet, drawing in more air from the lower intake. That's all well and good in a Bell Jar, but real-world wind and other factors may foil that plan. For instance, the ground stays hotter in the desert at night from being heated all day, so drawing in air from down low is counter-productive. Having a motorized fan in the outlet forces it to function to draw in air from down low. Having a reversible fan would take care of changing circumstances.
 
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#26 · (Edited)
My current vent challenge is trying to find a way to get adequate ventilation (for normal, cooking, and shower moisture) while also maximizing solar PV on the roof - if that is a concern for you too.

@Hein suggested his taller Transit rail towers (to raise the solar panels enough) and the Le Mans Rooftop Ventilator (which is low height profile) under the panels offset to the side of the roof where there is some space due to the roof curve.

If anyone has any more ideas, I would be appreciative. Thanks!
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
Appreciate all the info.

My plan was to have a forward mounted MaxxAir (don’t like it directly over my bed as I’m a light sleeper and don’t want the sun right there in the morning—also better to ventilate when cooking this way), two bug screens for the forward cab windows paired with wind deflectors, and a passenger sliding door window I can open. That’s plenty of air movement in the van. What it all lacks is airflow from the back of the van, thus my questions about a passive mushroom vent or floor vent. But I think I like @kenryan’s point best- just install a small fan in the back! Easy!
In future I might add a window in the back but I don’t know about that. A little 12V fan would probably be perfect in the meantime.
Thank you all!
 
#28 ·
438TransitBuild said:
Appreciate all the info.

My plan was to have a forward mounted MaxxAir (don’t like it directly over my bed as I’m a light sleeper and don’t want the sun right there in the morning—also better to ventilate when cooking this way), two bug screens for the forward cab windows paired with wind deflectors, and a passenger sliding door window I can open. That’s plenty of air movement in the van. What it all lacks is airflow from the back of the van, thus my questions about a passive mushroom vent or floor vent. But I think I like @kenryan’s point best- just install a small fan in the back! Easy!
In future I might add a window in the back but I don’t know about that. A little 12V fan would probably be perfect in the meantime.
Thank you all!
Click to expand...
I did not like the light from the Maxxair when I park on the street below a street light. Solved that with 1" closed cell insulation foam plug cut slightly larger than the opening. Just stuff it in the opening. Also acts as insulation on cold nights.
 
#30 ·
438TransitBuild said:
Hello
I am considering installing a passive vent in my Transit ceiling at the back of my van to complement the MaxxAir I’ll be installing towards the front of the van. This theoretically should provide a breeze through the van. But I don’t see anyone doing this. Why?
There seem to be many very inexpensive passive RV mushroom vents available. I’m wondering why these aren’t common on van builds.
Do they let water in maybe?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
I have a couple of floor vents up front I can close when driving plus side window vents, MaxxFan is in the rear. Works for me.
 
#31 ·
Yula.ca said:
A couple I follow on youtube has a solution:

Click to expand...
Yula.ca said:
A couple I follow on youtube has a solution:

Click to expand...
Depending on where you are camping you may want to consider using no-seeum screening (like you see in tents.) Back in 72 I had a 69 VW Bug that I made into a mini-camper. Made the mistake of using regular screening for my windows and one night in a Georgia campground the no-seeums drove me out (literally) in the middle of the night!
 
#32 ·
I bought a pair of these window vents from Eurocampers Expensive for what they are but very well made . I'd feel safe leaving the van with them in place. I don't have any experience as to how much air flow they'll allow sitting yet but hot air rises I don't think it makes much practical sense to cut a hole in the floor. If the fans on exhaust in the back in theory the air should move through the van and exhaust the hotter part.
www.eurocampers.com

Transit Window Vents Cab AirVent Inserts for Best Airflow

www.eurocampers.com
 
#33 ·
438TransitBuild said:
What it all lacks is airflow from the back of the van, thus my questions about a passive mushroom vent or floor vent.
Click to expand...
CrLaurence offers back door window that opens. Unfortunately seems to be able to install only if there are no factory windows in place.

FW294L - CRL 2015+ OEM Design 'All-Glass' Look Ford Transit Driver's Side Rear Quarter Window for 148" Standard Body ONLY Medium and High Top Vans

CRL is now offering 'All-Glass' Look Windows for the 2015+ Ford Transit Van
www.crlaurence.com www.crlaurence.com
 
#36 ·
438TransitBuild said:
Hello
I am considering installing a passive vent in my Transit ceiling at the back of my van to complement the MaxxAir I’ll be installing towards the front of the van. This theoretically should provide a breeze through the van. But I don’t see anyone doing this. Why?
There seem to be many very inexpensive passive RV mushroom vents available. I’m wondering why these aren’t common on van builds.
Do they let water in maybe?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Have had 4 mushroom vents on 4 ocean sailing boats, they don't let in rain, big waves or garden hose directed wash water. My rear Maxxair is currently acting as a passive because the circuit board is dead. As mentioned elsewhere, the air coming in hugs the ceiling, particularly if warm and it also lets in lots of dust in dusty environments. Sorry I did not do a floorvent before insulating the floor. Front windows cracked are a security risk if forgotten and insulated window covers further complicate that solution. Floor vent
 
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#37 ·
Frank Can said:
CrLaurence offers back door window that opens. Unfortunately seems to be able to install only if there are no factory windows in place.

FW294L - CRL 2015+ OEM Design 'All-Glass' Look Ford Transit Driver's Side Rear Quarter Window for 148" Standard Body ONLY Medium and High Top Vans

CRL is now offering 'All-Glass' Look Windows for the 2015+ Ford Transit Van
www.crlaurence.com www.crlaurence.com
Click to expand...
Really surprised there isn’t a solution for replacing the rear factory windows with a vented option.
 
#39 ·
#40 ·
Brianmcgaha said:
www.vanwindowsdirect.com

VWD Driver Rear Cargo Door Internal Screen Slider Window Ford Transit Van

Van Windows Direct Rear Cargo Door with sliding openings designed for the Ford Transit Van with a Medium or High Roof.
www.vanwindowsdirect.com www.vanwindowsdirect.com
Click to expand...
I was looking into this as a possible solution to add a vent to the van.
These considerations discourage me from doing this.
  • My back windows and doors already become very covered with road dust in a short period of driving time. I can see having to continuously spray off the small vent area to keep crud from being deposited and building up in the insert area.
  • If I accidently leave the vent open while driving the van, then dust fill flow into the back of the van.
  • I can create a very good fully automated, variable flow, through-the-floor ventilation system for $350, and this doesn't include the time/risk/sealant to remove my OEM window and install the new one.
 
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Tijoe
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