Maxx Fan Alternatives

[Michael_Grumbach]

Apparently Maxx Fans won't work on a slope greater than 10⁰.
This would be on the transition between my raised roof and the front of the bus.
So if there are any alternatives, please share them with me.
Thx.

 

[dbsoundman]

Why are you trying to put a fan on the sloped part of the roof?

As far as I know there’s only two major fan companies, maxxair and … I forget the name. The second company makes more conventional fans with manual hatches which might work better in your case. There’s also smaller 5” fans for bathroom exhaust that might work.

 

[Michael_Grumbach]

Its the only place left on the roof where I can mount anything.

 

[rossvtaylor]

The issue with the slope limitation isn't that the fan won't work, it's leakage. If you install it with the opening to the rear, like normal, it would be vulnerable to the elements since it's on the top of the slope. If you install it backwards, so the opening is downhill, then the lid is subject to the force of air as you drive. I guess it would work if you were sure to close it before driving, but if you forget the cover can get ripped off...which I know because I had one ripped off in some 70mph winds a few months ago.

The alternative, the Fantastic Fan, wouldn't be any better unfortunately. It's a "traditional style" fan with a lifting lid. The rain cover for it is a clunky box that would look like ass and won't work in either orientation on the slope.

 

[Rucker]

I didn't want to cut into the roof of my shuttle bus, so instead plan on marine exhaust fans (Oasis brand). A quick Amazon search brings up a couple of other sidewall options a helluvalot cheaper than Maxxair.

I chose Oasis in-line because I'll be ducting them in both the front and back in a couple of configurations, though no wall penetrations, just through the windows. They pull 450 CFM, so two of these equals one Maxxair in air handling.

(You could buy six of them for the price of a single Maxxair. Plus, an in-line exhaust fan can be located somewhere other than on the ceiling right by your ears)

Downsides: if you decide to explore this option note that most of these fans are not reversible, so you need a mounting system to give that flexibility. Also, you need a variable speed control.

 

[dbsoundman]

I didn't want to cut into the roof of my shuttle bus, so instead plan on marine exhaust fans (Oasis brand). A quick Amazon search brings up a couple of other sidewall options a helluvalot cheaper than Maxxair.

I chose Oasis in-line because I'll be ducting them in both the front and back in a couple of configurations, though no wall penetrations, just through the windows. They pull 450 CFM, so two of these equals one Maxxair in air handling.

(You could buy six of them for the price of a single Maxxair. Plus, an in-line exhaust fan can be located somewhere other than on the ceiling right by your ears)

Downsides: if you decide to explore this option note that most of these fans are not reversible, so you need a mounting system to give that flexibility. Also, you need a variable speed control.

This is a great idea. I’m on my second max fan after I discovered the flimsy plastic does not hold up to wind oscillations on the interstate. Now I have to make sure I keep my fan shut tightly when on the road and even then sometimes it sounds like it’s going to give way.

 

[Michael_Grumbach]

This is terrific feedback everyone.
Thank you very much for giving me some options to consider.

 

[rossvtaylor]

Rucker's plan is exactly what I plan on our Crown. I don't want to put anything more than necessary on the roof, primary for appearance reasons, so I will be putting a ducted fan in a bay to draw air from inside (through vents).

 

[LargeMarge-TC]

A decade ago, we mounted two used take-out maxx-style fans on the side of a food-truck.
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Last we heard, they are going strong.
.
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BTB,
Eugene, Oregon.
We acquired the two from the RecreateVehicle junkyard across from the junior college and next door to the indoor range.
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We went in for something else entirely, then engaged our imaginations.
Browsing has benefits.