Re: 1997 U320 Ceiling Fan
Reply #5 –
I put in a 42" 110v ceiling fan with a close mount. If you call James Triana at FOT with your coach number he can send you a copy of the ceiling plan for your coach.
Your coach maybe different from mine. Here is what I did (very carefully).
On my 2001 U320 36' there is a 12"x24" layer of plywood (actually two layers of 3/8 plywood, the 24" length oriented is front to rear) centered in the ceiling section over the bed. The fan should be mounted pretty much in the center of this area. There is a 1/2" PEX tube that runs down the middle of the backside of the plywood and then over to TV cabinet on the passengers side. The PEX tube was accessible in the ceiling of the TV cabinet.
Once I picked a spot I used a 1-1/2" hole saw to start cutting into the plywood. Once you get the hole started make sure the pilot drill is retracted as much as possible or removed. You don't want to put a hole in the roof. If you take the pilot drill out, be very careful continuing the drilling to prevent it from jamming or turning out of the hole. A battery powered drill has less torque and may be easier to control. Mark a 3/4" depth on the side of the hole saw and stop when you get to that depth. The plywood is glued to the layer of foam (1/2"-3/4" thick) between the plywood and the coach roof. Pry the plywood off of the foam once you are through the plywood.
Once you get through the plywood you will find the PEX tube. Cut through it carefully. Once you gain access to an open end of the PEX tube you can push a electrical wire fish tape through to the TV cabinet area. I cut an orange round 16ga 3 wire extension cord to the appropriate length keeping the male end intact to plug into the outlet in the TV cabinet. I pulled the other end of the extension cord through the PEX tube.
A shallow electrical box is mounted to the ceiling. The electrical cord comes through the box. The fan base mounts to the box.
I would have purchased a Casablanca fan but couldn't find one at 42" (about as big as you can fit in there) that wasn't white. They are the quietest fans you can get. The one we used makes a bit of motor noise but not much.
We find having the fan turning so that air is pulled up into the fan and then down the sides of the bedroom more effective for the fan we have and the close distance to the ceiling. Moving air makes sleeping much more comfortable and reduces the amount we use the AC.
It was not hard to do once you get up the courage to cut a hole in your ceiling. It took two or three calls to FOT to get the level of detail that I felt I needed but they were helpful.
Roger
Topic: 1997 U320 Ceiling Fan