Adria Twin, Maxxfan installed. Easier than I expected. (4 Viewers)

[Andy MacD]

Just fitted a Maxxfan to my 2021my Adria Twin Supreme 640SLB so thought I’d describe how I installed it to help anyone thinking of doing the same and also allow others to tell me how I did it all wrong .

The existing roof light is fixed onto a black gasket with sealant so came off easily by sliding a blade between the roof light and the gasket. The remaining old sealant was then cleaned off with white spirit leaving a flat gasket 40 x 40cm. I used sikaflex to bed down the Maxxfan base and then secured with screws.

The difficult part of any Maxxfan install is getting 12v to it, Adria helpfully pre install a 240v cable from the rear roof light to alongside the mains breaker unit. The cable at the roof light was a bit of a pig to get as it was just beyond reach behind the timber. In the end I had to cut some of the timber batten to reach it.

Now to get a 12v supply to the other end of the 240v cable. Doing some research I found 3 ways to get the supply. Fish a cable under the dinette floor and connect to the leisure battery, do the same but connect to the 12v fuse box or take a feed from the back of the 12v socket beside the tv. I chose the last as I thought it the easiest.

Piggybacking to the 12v socket was easy. Drop a cable finder down the back inside the wall. Behind the dinette seat back there is a hatch, take that out and it helps drop the cable finder down and behind the boiler. It’s then simple to pull the 12v positive and negative cables through and connect to the 240v cable. I put a switch in so I could switch off the supply to the Maxxfan to save power as it’s on standby all the time for the remote control.

Back onto the roof of the van, drop in the Maxxfan, being careful of the cables, and put on the internal frame. Done.

Overall it took me around 4 hours.

Away for the next 3 nights and looking forward to seeing what difference it makes.

 

[jumar]

Well done... I'll be fitting one after our summer vacation, and many other jobs on my Must Do List...Stay Cool...

 

[Bobby-gg]

Fitted one earlier this year in my ih pvc, very similar experience to yours, and an absolute godsend over the weekend just gone at Whitby - leave it running all day cooling the van down, whilst the solar is topping up the battery with what it's using

 

[dosser]

Thanks for that, great write up we have a 2019 slb and thinking of fitting one in the near future.

 

[Jake Royd]

I'm going to fit one where my B2200 air conditioner sits (ist kaput).
Like the OP I plan to use the existing 240v feed and adapt it to supply 12v DC for the maxxair fan.

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[Jake Royd]

Just fitted a Maxxfan to my 2021my Adria Twin Supreme 640SLB so thought I’d describe how I installed it to help anyone thinking of doing the same and also allow others to tell me how I did it all wrong .

The existing roof light is fixed onto a black gasket with sealant so came off easily by sliding a blade between the roof light and the gasket. The remaining old sealant was then cleaned off with white spirit leaving a flat gasket 40 x 40cm. I used sikaflex to bed down the Maxxfan base and then secured with screws.
View attachment 650931

The difficult part of any Maxxfan install is getting 12v to it, Adria helpfully pre install a 240v cable from the rear roof light to alongside the mains breaker unit. The cable at the roof light was a bit of a pig to get as it was just beyond reach behind the timber. In the end I had to cut some of the timber batten to reach it.
View attachment 650933

Now to get a 12v supply to the other end of the 240v cable. Doing some research I found 3 ways to get the supply. Fish a cable under the dinette floor and connect to the leisure battery, do the same but connect to the 12v fuse box or take a feed from the back of the 12v socket beside the tv. I chose the last as I thought it the easiest.

Piggybacking to the 12v socket was easy. Drop a cable finder down the back inside the wall. Behind the dinette seat back there is a hatch, take that out and it helps drop the cable finder down and behind the boiler. It’s then simple to pull the 12v positive and negative cables through and connect to the 240v cable. I put a switch in so I could switch off the supply to the Maxxfan to save power as it’s on standby all the time for the remote control. View attachment 650935
View attachment 650936

Back onto the roof of the van, drop in the Maxxfan, being careful of the cables, and put on the internal frame. Done.

Overall it took me around 4 hours.

Away for the next 3 nights and looking forward to seeing what difference it makes.

Andy , did you by any chance measure your aperture size?
As far as I can see the hole for my B2200 is 390mm.
I'm told a Maxxairfan needs 400?

 

[Howard B]

Would like to fit a maxxfan or AC unit to my twin, but the existing Heki roof lights are 500x700 & I havent found anothing that will fit without cutting another hole in the roof. Have to make do with a Fiamma turbo vent and endless breeze.

 

[Andy MacD]

As far as I can see the hole for my B2200 is 390mm.
I'm told a Maxxairfan needs 400?

I measured and the Adria was 400, or as near as makes no difference. The fan itself is smaller than 400, it’s the mounting plate which sits on the roof which matters and it did have a little sideways movement before I sealed it down.

Can I suggest you contact Dan who is very helpful and is I think the UK distributor. I’m sure he could accurately measure the aperture required.

Dan Palmer | Sales, Accounts & Warranties

P | 01543 577334

E | Dan@Leisurevehicleservices.com

www.Leisurevehicleservices.com

Unit 11 Rumer Hill Business Estate | Cannock | Staffordshire | WS11 0ET

 

[Guigsy]

I fitted a Maxxfan a few weeks ago. It was incredibly useful in Norfolk last week when the temperatures went over 30C. The van was much more comfortable during the day. And setting it to 10% overnight kept a bit of airflow going without being too noisy. Money well spent!

I got the clear/light smoke version with the additional blind with lighting. The blind isn't great. It can only be either open or closed with no intermediate positions and it pretty much completely blocks the airflow. So we never closed it. Might be useful when it's really cold I guess? The light is good though. If I had known, I probably would have got the dark smoke or even the solid hood version.

 

[Cliffyboy]

Just a quick question ! How does one stand with 10year water ingress warranty when a Maxxair fan fitted ? .

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[Andy MacD]

If you have a leak anywhere around the fan you’re on your own. They marked it in my first year hab report.

 

[Cliffyboy]

O.K.thanks ! .

 

[Peavy]

Hello Andy MacD
I have two questions:
Did you also install the Maxxfan blind?
How does the Maxxfan electronics cope with the 12V oscilation, no problems?
I'm thinking about installing a small DC/DC converter that stabilizes the 12V from the TV socket and to a maximum of 3 amps.

Cheers

 

[Andy MacD]

Hello Andy MacD
I have two questions:
Did you also install the Maxxfan blind?
How does the Maxxfan electronics cope with the 12V oscilation, no problems?
I'm thinking about installing a small DC/DC converter that stabilizes the 12V from the TV socket and to a maximum of 3 amps.

Cheers

Didn’t install a blind. The light doesn’t bother us. We did make a felt square with Velcro dots we can cover it with if it’s particularly windy and that cuts the draught. I’ve seen some posts where the old blind was put back on over the Maxxfan cover.
No issues running it, 26c here in Avignon and the breeze it creates through the van is lovely.

 

[Jake Royd]

Hello Andy MacD
I have two questions:
Did you also install the Maxxfan blind?
How does the Maxxfan electronics cope with the 12V oscilation, no problems?
I'm thinking about installing a small DC/DC converter that stabilizes the 12V from the TV socket and to a maximum of 3 amps.

Cheers

I did fit the blind.
It works but is a bit simple. No intermediate position open or closed but it does keep light out.
No problem with voltage I'm aware of.

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[IRHP]

Anyone know if there's a pre wired cable to either the kitchen or Bedroom skylights in a 2019 Matrix? I know there was prewiring for solar and TV aerial.

 

[Peavy]

I finally got the Maxxfan installed (mechanical part by the dealer, electrics by me) and took the 12V from the TV socket as per your idea, although I'm planning for the future to get it from a spare 12V line in the EBL.
I used an DC stabilizer, just in case.
Also used your idea of installing a switch.
So, Andy MacD thanks for this thread

 

[Marauder]

Drop a cable finder down the back inside the wall. Behind the dinette seat back there is a hatch, take that out and it helps drop the cable finder down and behind the boiler.

Dont understand !
google search on 'cable finder' showed me something like a multimeter. Do you mean you dropped this down inside the wall ? How did it help if device was out of sight pls ?
S

 

[Roby2008]

I finally got the Maxxfan installed (mechanical part by the dealer, electrics by me) and took the 12V from the TV socket as per your idea, although I'm planning for the future to get it from a spare 12V line in the EBL.
I used an DC stabilizer, just in case.
Also used your idea of installing a switch.
So, Andy MacD thanks for this thread
View attachment 920000
View attachment 920001

Nice install, Did the same this week on my Pilote 696, took the 12v from the TV/Sat dish feed (Fused 10amp) through a 12v voltage stabiliser, easy cable run of less than a metre, and runs through the control panel accessory button too.

 

[Peavy]

Dont understand !
google search on 'cable finder' showed me something like a multimeter. Do you mean you dropped this down inside the wall ? How did it help if device was out of sight pls ?
S

A cable finder, to me, is a device to attach the wire you want to use, it slips easier (because it's material) and helps to pass the wire. Sorry, don't know the English word. Here's a picture.
(At least that's what I understand Andy MacD meant)

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[jumar]

Peavy ...a cable finder...is a electronic instrument that detects a cable that cannot be seen...for example...hidden inside or behind a wall.....its purpose is to stop someone from drilling or nailing into a wall that contains a live wire...which can be a little dangerous...
I hope my English explanation is suitable for you to understand....if not....I can write it in Castellano...but I suggest you use Google instead...

 

[Bobby-gg]

Just an update on my install.

I fitted mine back in 2022, we're having a final night in the Netherlands before catching a return ferry home tomorrow after 83 days in Europe - our maxxfan has been on every day, for 24 hours a day and hasn't complained - although, no ones has ever mentioned how dirty they get, I've probably cleaned out our mesh once a week, and the the blades every month.
And, they are really good at sucking flies and things into the mesh

I'm wondering now if the motor bearings & brushes can be charged

 

[Guigsy]

Just an update on my install.

I fitted mine back in 2022, we're having a final night in the Netherlands before catching a return ferry home tomorrow after 83 days in Europe - our maxxfan has been on every day, for 24 hours a day and hasn't complained - although, no ones has ever mentioned how dirty they get, I've probably cleaned out our mesh once a week, and the the blades every month.
And, they are really good at sucking flies and things into the mesh

I'm wondering now if the motor bearings & brushes can be charged

We tend to run ours on extract. With another skylight further down the van open to let air in if required. But yes, they get grubby pretty quickly. We stayed at a festival last year that was really dusty and the blades got caked.

Mesh needs vacuuming pretty frequently too... But as mentioned, ours is extracting, over a drop-down bed... with cats...

 

[Bobby-gg]

We tend to run ours on extract. With another skylight further down the van open to let air in if required. But yes, they get grubby pretty quickly. We stayed at a festival last year that was really dusty and the blades got caked.

Mesh needs vacuuming pretty frequently too... But as mentioned, ours is extracting, over a drop-down bed... with cats...

Yeah, have ours extracting too, found it much nicer when lying in bed having a cool breeze flowing over you

 

[Andy MacD]

A cable finder, to me, is a device to attach the wire you want to use, it slips easier (because it's material) and helps to pass the wire. Sorry, don't know the English word. Here's a picture.
(At least that's what I understand Andy MacD meant)
View attachment 920131

That’s the one, descriptive words may differ. I’d call the other a cable detector.

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[Andy MacD]

You’ve probable worked this out already but the fan blades come off very easily, makes cleaning the blade and inside of the cover much easier.

 

[Guigsy]

You’ve probable worked this out already but the fan blades come off very easily, makes cleaning the blade and inside of the cover much easier.

... I hadn't! Thanks.

 

[Jake Royd]

You’ve probable worked this out already but the fan blades come off very easily, makes cleaning the blade and inside of the cover much easier.

They do but it took me sometime tho get the hex key size right.
Metrics don't fit, I'm guessing it's an imperial size I don't have.
Eventually I found a key that was a bit tight and sanded it down a bit to fit.

 

[Birty]

silly question maybe but which size roof light did you replace? How do you know which one to order?

 

[Roby2008]

silly question maybe but which size roof light did you replace? How do you know which one to order?

For me, I took of the interior blind from the Heki I wanted to swap out, it unclips from the frame, and then measured from there.
To be extra safe, the bottom frame unscrews without disturbing anything and then you can measure the exact size of the hole.

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