How did you guys install your roof vents ?

[RichardRWatson]

I bought a pair of elixir vents and am wondering if there is a "best practice" for cutting the hole and installing the vent ?

Thanks,

Rick

 

[GoneCamping-SKO]

I made starter holes with my angle grinder, then used a recip saw to cut the hole. However, I found the recip saw to be difficult to work with, and eventually just used the angle grinder. Only thing you gotta be careful about if you use the angle grinder up there is setting the insulation on fire. I almost did, but when I saw the stuff smoking I quickly took care of it before it became a problem...

 

[eggman-SKO]

When I cut the hole in my roof for the AC unit I used a drill to mark the corners and tin snips to cut the sheetmetal with. They cut real easy and no noise or mess.

 

[RichardRWatson]

Excellent help, I hadn't thought of the snips. I was set to use the sawzall but was worried that the blade would go wonky between the two layers and cut crooked.

I would think I'll need to fill the gap between the two layers of steel with something solid, I was thinking chunks of pressure treated wood ?

Is the roof rounded enough to require filler strips at the sides or no ?

Thanks guys, and girls if you are out there ;-)

Rick

 

[eggman-SKO]

I filled in the gaps on the left and right sides with regular 1x3 trimmed down to fit the gap. Had to have something in there to keep the two roof parts from meeting in the middle when installing the AC unit. I didnt take any pics of the wood strips in there the first time, but I will on the next AC unit that i put in.

 

[RichardRWatson]

Got the first vent installed tonight. I marked it off from the inside, drilled the four corners, cut out the square with jigsaw with fine metal blade, then trimmed with tinsnips to fit the inside trim properly. I then went on the roof and repeated the same process up there. I did use the comercial install kit which worked well, and I didn't seem to need to put anything between the two tin roofs. I can always take off the inner trim and put a spacer in later if needed. I also was able to install without any shims. 92 blue bird TC2000, seems to have a fairly flat top in the center.

Thanks all,

Rick

 

[Ryan Grimm]

Don't use pressure treated wood for fillers!

That stuff is CORROSIVE, due to the chemicals used for the preservatives. The manufacturers only recommend using double-dipped galvy, stainless steel, or ceramic-coated fasteners.

The PT made nowadays will eat your steel bus roof.

Regular 2x stock will do a good job. Apply a good sealant BEFORE installing the roof vents, that way they sit in the sealant and squish the joints full, guaranteeing a better seal.

 

[BUSBOZO]

I have a Elixir roof vent also. I was looking at it tonight and I noticed the part of the vent that protrudes down in the interior is 1". But the space in between the 2 roof skins is 1 3/4". So there would be a 3/4" gap between the lower ceiling skin and the vent.

Is it just the type of vent I have maybe? Or are they all pretty much the same.

Any pictures of installation of one of these vents?

Dan

 

[BUSBOZO]

Ok. Thanks Smitty.

 

[GoneCamping-SKO]

I had a similar problem with an even bigger gap. I wound up using an extra inner trim ring and simply taped it to the other one. It was a different color so I also had to paint it white, but it worked out very well...

I have hundreds of images you could look through AT MY SITE and you're welcome to look through them, maybe you will find something useful there...

 

[jkindt]

Vent trim rings are available in different heights. Mine was too long, so all I did was cut it to fit. When I installed my roof vent I just marked out the 14x14 square with tape on the inside of the roof. Then I drilled 1/8" holes in the four corners through the inner skin and right on through the outer skin from the inside. Then all I had to do was take an air saw and connect the dots. Roof vent fit perfectly. 8)

 

[Russell-SKO]

Mr. Jkindd has got it going on. thats the way I put mine in, but I used a half inch drive drill using one inch hole saw in the corners drilling through both layers then used a sawsall with a long enough blade to cut the inner and outer at the same time. Then I finished the hole with 1x2 pine boards between the inner and outer metal, Did it all from the outside didnt have to deal with metal chips falling in my face or a grinder setting the insulation on fire. Oh yea dont do this without proper eye protection safety always.

 

[BUSBOZO]

You know what? Mine didn't even come with a trim ring, so maybe that is messing me up also. Well, maybe I can find one for my application.

Thanks for the pics! Came out great.

 

[wmah]

Just thought I'd throw out an idea for those putting in roof vents. If you put in enough of them and have not thought about putting in a roof top air unit, pre wire it up there so you would have less work doing it later.