Has anyone had any experience installing or using a Belluna Super Fan or a similar product?

[Randomstop]

I would have respected the honesty

I have to say I'm tempted to buy one to see how I get on. The fact that Belluna have been pretty good in replying is encouraging and I guess if they're trying to build their brand by differentiating on service then it would be pretty silly of them to not honour a warranty as a negative review of an almost unknown brand when there's so little info out there at the moment would be very detrimental for them.

Will keep watching with interest until I'm ready to install a second fan (summer probably)

Speaking about the warranty - they will probably honor it (if the company still exists at the time of need), but the actual service may incure prohibitive shipping/customs/whatever fees, so it may be easier to buy a new one (or MaxxFan, as it looks to have the same base).
Also BTW - here is the manufacturer for you:

Jiangsu Sanjo Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.

The fan is known as:

Belluna SuperFan
FreuCamp Plus Fan
CarBest VanVent
Vechline Plus Fan

probably among other names/brands.
Some sites are selling for as low as €220...

 

[Minxy]

I have just removed two Maxxair from my written off Adria, keeping one for the next van and open to sensible offers on the remaining one,

I'm likely to want to fit one this year so let me know the cost please.

 

[Mcvicar]

I've seen a 5% off code on youtube (MOLLY) and am tempted, just not sure whether it will incur any import costs. Anyone up to date with what happens currently?

 

[Randomstop]

I would have respected the honesty

I have to say I'm tempted to buy one to see how I get on. The fact that Belluna have been pretty good in replying is encouraging and I guess if they're trying to build their brand by differentiating on service then it would be pretty silly of them to not honour a warranty as a negative review of an almost unknown brand when there's so little info out there at the moment would be very detrimental for them.

Will keep watching with interest until I'm ready to install a second fan (summer probably)

A word about the honesty - I decided to install MaxxFan. One of the primary reasons was that I felt the comparison information table posted on the Belluna website was, well, less than straightforward. It created an uneasy feeling.

Here’s the comparison table from the Belluna website, along with my comments about items I find not entirely accurate (maybe it will help someone to make a proper decision, which maybe for the Maxxfan or for the Belluna fan, depending on your needs):

Comparison with similar products* (33 reasons why you should choose the Belluna SuperFan):

Also, listing the price difference of every replacement item as a separate advantage point is a pure marketing - why not just say that the replacement parts are less expensive?

 

[fishplug]

Very helpful, thank you.

I think (and it is only a guess) that the "insect protection" might be the bug screen which I thought was standard as part of the blind?

My own research has also taken me down a different path and I've found (but not yet implemented) a project where someone has cloned the IR codes emitted by the MaxxFan remote and written some code for an ESP32 which, when paired with an IR blaster and integrated into Home Assistant, allows you to control the whole thing from your phone and from any angle / distance.

It's a bit nerdy and won't suit everyone as not many people are likely to have (or want!) a full IoT system in their van but I'm also in conversation with some people in California who are considering making a complete replacement circuit board for the MaxxFan which allows for a broader range of control options. That's still in design stage and may never see the light of day but it's interesting to see how much work people have put in to solving the 'design flaws'

Would make for an interesting 'upgrade kit' - almost a shame that there isn't an official one.

I also agree that the blind on the MaxxFan is one of its weak points. They always leak some light and I seem to remember seeing an aftermarket blackout option someone had made but I've forgotten what it was (other than not cheap!).

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[Lenny HB]

I also agree that the blind on the MaxxFan is one of its weak points. They always leak some light and I seem to remember seeing an aftermarket blackout option someone had made but I've forgotten what it was (other than not cheap!).

If you are replacing a Heki with a Maxx fan it's easy to modify the Heki frame and fit the Heki blind.

 

[Randomstop]

Very helpful, thank you.

I think (and it is only a guess) that the "insect protection" might be the bug screen which I thought was standard as part of the blind?

My own research has also taken me down a different path and I've found (but not yet implemented) a project where someone has cloned the IR codes emitted by the MaxxFan remote and written some code for an ESP32 which, when paired with an IR blaster and integrated into Home Assistant, allows you to control the whole thing from your phone and from any angle / distance.

It's a bit nerdy and won't suit everyone as not many people are likely to have (or want!) a full IoT system in their van but I'm also in conversation with some people in California who are considering making a complete replacement circuit board for the MaxxFan which allows for a broader range of control options. That's still in design stage and may never see the light of day but it's interesting to see how much work people have put in to solving the 'design flaws'

Would make for an interesting 'upgrade kit' - almost a shame that there isn't an official one.

I also agree that the blind on the MaxxFan is one of its weak points. They always leak some light and I seem to remember seeing an aftermarket blackout option someone had made but I've forgotten what it was (other than not cheap!).

Thank you for this information!
Installing Maxxfan I found that its design is very American and outdated indeed. The quality is spotty.
The screws to attach the fan to the outer frame just stripped without much effort (and the instructions warn to only use included screws).
Now I need to find the stainless steel screws that fit, do you know the proper size?

The fan blades wobble a bit, hope they are not too much out of the balance.

The steel clips on the Maxxshade are designed such a way, that if installed it is very difficult to remove the shade part, as the Maxxfan “garnish ring” and the Maxxshade base are very flimsy and very close to braking, when I tried to pull the maxxshade off (installed wrong the first time as the assembly instructions are not clear on the Maxxshade orientation.
Didn’t expect the shade to open across!

All in all it may be that the Belluna (or other names) fan might be better made. It’s a shame that they created this comparison table with questionable information in it!

 

[Randomstop]

If you are replacing a Heki with a Maxx fan it's easy to modify the Heki frame and fit the Heki blind.

Depending on the existing vent design. Mine was Remis Vista, and the internal part is practically flat against the ceiling, so modification would be required to fit it back. Also the Remis has 8 through the ceiling mounts to the outer part… Was able to get MaxxShade without lights at €65

 

[Randomstop]

Very helpful, thank you.

I think (and it is only a guess) that the "insect protection" might be the bug screen which I thought was standard as part of the blind?

My own research has also taken me down a different path and I've found (but not yet implemented) a project where someone has cloned the IR codes emitted by the MaxxFan remote and written some code for an ESP32 which, when paired with an IR blaster and integrated into Home Assistant, allows you to control the whole thing from your phone and from any angle / distance.

It's a bit nerdy and won't suit everyone as not many people are likely to have (or want!) a full IoT system in their van but I'm also in conversation with some people in California who are considering making a complete replacement circuit board for the MaxxFan which allows for a broader range of control options. That's still in design stage and may never see the light of day but it's interesting to see how much work people have put in to solving the 'design flaws'

Would make for an interesting 'upgrade kit' - almost a shame that there isn't an official one.

I also agree that the blind on the MaxxFan is one of its weak points. They always leak some light and I seem to remember seeing an aftermarket blackout option someone had made but I've forgotten what it was (other than not cheap!).

Yeah, if the insect protection is removable interior accessible bug screen, then it is another “inaccurate” information.

 

[Randomstop]

I've seen a 5% off code on youtube (MOLLY) and am tempted, just not sure whether it will incur any import costs. Anyone up to date with what happens currently?

Similar fans (practically the same, may be with prior generation boards, where display light is always on and the confirmation beep is kind of loud) are available in UK, just search for “Freucamp Plus Fan”.

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[fishplug]

Now I need to find the stainless steel screws that fit, do you know the proper size?

I put my original ones 'somewhere safe' when I removed the fan from the Sprinter and of course couldn't find them again when I needed to refit.

As a result I spent a load of time finding this information out and eventually managed to do so. The day after I fitted the fan I found the originals (and I'd bought spares anyway)

I'll have a look on Monday to see if I can find either the information you need, or the spares that I have that you'd be welcome to.

 

[Randomstop]

I put my original ones 'somewhere safe' when I removed the fan from the Sprinter and of course couldn't find them again when I needed to refit.

As a result I spent a load of time finding this information out and eventually managed to do so. The day after I fitted the fan I found the originals (and I'd bought spares anyway)

I'll have a look on Monday to see if I can find either the information you need, or the spares that I have that you'd be welcome to.

Thank you very much!

 

[fishplug]

I'll have a look on Monday to see if I can find either the information you need, or the spares that I have that you'd be welcome to.

Randomstop - The screws are US spec, so 9ga x 3/4inch which translates to a metric 20mm x 4.5mm. Pan head, and obviously stainless steel.

I'm posting that information for anyone else that might be hunting for them, as I've found my spares and have 4 of them packed and ready to post to you!

If you send me your address privately I'll get them sent out to you.

 

[Randomstop]

Randomstop - The screws are US spec, so 9ga x 3/4inch which translates to a metric 20mm x 4.5mm. Pan head, and obviously stainless steel.

I'm posting that information for anyone else that might be hunting for them, as I've found my spares and have 4 of them packed and ready to post to you!

If you send me your address privately I'll get them sent out to you.

Thank you for the information (and for the offer, of course!).

Since I’m based in Spain, mailing might not be practical. I’ll source them somewhere else.

By the way, I found the size in the installation manual (which was the last place I looked) to be 3/4” #10 screws, which translates to M4.8x19mm (M4.5x19 to M5x20 should be fine I guess).

 

[fishplug]

Ah!

Mine wasn't from the official source but from a third party.

Thanks for the update and correction.

Top tip when fitting (I struggled the first time but this made it soooo easy the second time) - get a couple of thin screwdrivers (or matches or bamboo skewers or....) and use them in diagonally opposite holes to locate the fan to the frame.

This lets you put the first two screws in without effort and then you remove the screwdrivers and the remaining two holes will be lined up perfectly.

Hadn't spotted that you were in Spain! Yes, the postage is likely to cost more than the screws and it would take longer to get to you than sourcing locally.

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[Randomstop]

Ah!

Mine wasn't from the official source but from a third party.

Thanks for the update and correction.

Top tip when fitting (I struggled the first time but this made it soooo easy the second time) - get a couple of thin screwdrivers (or matches or bamboo skewers or....) and use them in diagonally opposite holes to locate the fan to the frame.

This lets you put the first two screws in without effort and then you remove the screwdrivers and the remaining two holes will be lined up perfectly.

Hadn't spotted that you were in Spain! Yes, the postage is likely to cost more than the screws and it would take longer to get to you than sourcing locally.

Thank you for the tip!

Aligning the holes with the screws wasn’t easy, but my problem wasn’t finding the holes. The holes on the fan needed to be pushed lower to align with the base holes. However, the rubber seal prevented me from doing this because the resistance was quite high, which likely caused me damaging the thread on one screw by screwing it at an angle.

I had to remove all screws to inspect, and I discovered that the thread on three out of four screws closer to the screw head was stripped! I definitely didn’t use excessive force, but I wanted to feel some resistance to ensure they were firmly attached.

The screws are weak. I hope the clips have stronger threads!

 

[fishplug]

Oh!

I can't say I had any issues with my screws stripping (although they most certainly were not aligned properly the first time)

I did have one of the retaining clips go rusty (cleaned and red oxide applied) despite looking like they were galvanised.

My 'old' screws didn't look damaged (they're the ones I found and was going to post)