Ceiling fan?

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Ceiling fan?

October 22, 2019, 08:17:19 am

Has anyone installed a ceiling fan over the bed? Either 12 Vdc or 120 Vac?
I'm thinking of installing one and wanted some direction on which brand. Also is the plywood ceiling structure strong enough to attach it to or should I try to hit a metal structure?
Looks like the 12 Vdc ones available are 5-7 pounds.
Thanks

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #1 – October 22, 2019, 09:10:27 am

Many were a factory option. Run on 120 vac

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #2 – October 22, 2019, 09:17:38 am

Folivier, yes, I had a bedroom ceiling fan installed in the last two 320's that I owned, one at Foretravel of Tennessee and one at MOT. I bought both at Lowes, forget the brand. They were both 120v AC. The roof structure is sufficient to safely accommodate these additions. wouldn't have a class A without one. Be careful of the length of the shaft, there isn't a lot of clearance over the bed. Putting on a sweater with the fan "on" can be hazardous.

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #3 – October 22, 2019, 10:00:24 am

Thinking of getting one of these: RV ceiling fan
I want to use it whether we're plugged in or dry camping without having to run the inverter.
Horace do you remember how they ran the wires to the fan? Were they able to fish the wires through the ceiling?

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #4 – October 22, 2019, 11:29:48 am

Quote from: folivier – October 22, 2019, 10:00:24 am

Thinking of getting one of these: RV ceiling fan
I want to use it whether we're plugged in or dry camping without having to run the inverter.
Horace do you remember how they ran the wires to the fan? Were they able to fish the wires through the ceiling?

Folivier, I would look at an alternate source for a 12V fan. That companies presentation in your link was rubbish. They posted a pic of that fan that didn't even cover the hole in the ceiling. No telling what you might receive for your CB's Caveat emptor.

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #5 – October 22, 2019, 12:39:30 pm

Folivier, call FOT and give them your build number and ask for the ceiling schematic. Will show where the wire run is for the fan.

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #6 – October 22, 2019, 01:07:48 pm

I have one in my coach. Not sure if it was factory or not but it appears to be.
I have been thinking of removing it, in fact last night laid down on the bed for the first time in a while with the lights low, and the fan on, both forward and reverse. Blowing down, it gives some air, but not enough imo. Blowing up, don't feel much at all. I was in shorts with no shirt and the outside temp was around 75 deg F. To me its a hazzard, one that is sure to find my head one night. Almost took my wifes head off once. But the ventilation is needed. Still not sure what to do about it. I am going to wait and see. Do a search on the forums, there are threads about them. Some love them, some hate them. Some side fans might be better. Caframo makes some good 12 volt marine fans. They push some air.

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #7 – October 22, 2019, 01:18:04 pm

Another very high quality 12 VDC fan. Easy to wire to existing light wiring as draw is less than one amp. Come in white and black.

We have some that have several thousand hours on them in the sailboat.

2 Speed 'Turbo' Fan - Accessories, Fans - Hella Marine

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #8 – October 22, 2019, 01:25:05 pm

Brett, I have had several Hellas, not my favorite. But its a good fan.

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #9 – October 22, 2019, 01:46:49 pm

Folivier, I believe the wiring was already there, not sure. Do remember the brand, they were Casablanca. In my 2003, the fan was mounted against the mirrored ceiling and after 3-4 years and many rough miles, the mirror cracked between the housing of the fan and the edge of the mirror at 3 o' clock. Dave Flanigan glued a piece of ceiling vinyl over the crack and another over at 9 o'clock, looked as if it was built that way.
One of the previous responders found his fan doesn't move enough air which reminds me that proper positioning of the blades is important so that they move air down when on down and up when they are on up. Bassackwards results in very poor efficiency.

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #10 – October 22, 2019, 04:06:15 pm

We installed a 12vdc fan several years and have been very happy with our choice
Link: 1997 U320 Ceiling Fan

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #11 – October 22, 2019, 04:12:28 pm

Very happy with our ceiling fan. The pitch of the blade makes all the difference in a fan, no matter who the manufacture is. You need a hugger that attaches directly to the ceiling, no down rod. I'm 6 foot and have clearance from my head to fan. However, pull shirt off or on is a no no when fan is on. You will get a boo boo. We run our fan on low and very quiet and moves enough air for us and I like it cold. Not sure about the '98-'99 years, but I believe from 2000 on, there were either wires up in ceiling or the fan was already installed at the factory.

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #12 – October 22, 2019, 04:16:32 pm

My '99 came with one.

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #13 – October 22, 2019, 06:50:40 pm

Here's a schematic of our ceiling from FOT. Not sure if it will be the same as yours.

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #14 – October 22, 2019, 07:11:55 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – October 22, 2019, 01:18:04 pm

Another very high quality 12 VDC fan. Easy to wire to existing light wiring as draw is less than one amp. Come in white and black.

We have some that have several thousand hours on them in the sailboat.

2 Speed 'Turbo' Fan - Accessories, Fans - Hella Marine

In our previous '03 U295, we really enjoyed the two 12V Hella fans that George installed under the overhead cabinets on either side of the bed - they were very effective for air movement/cooling: Hella Fans in the bedroom
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Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #15 – October 22, 2019, 07:25:15 pm

I had FOT mount a FantasticFan in the ceiling in the bedroom. Blows in or out. Or just use it as a vent.

Put a cover over the vents so they can be used in the rain. So now we have two fans/vents to use even if it is raining.

Rich

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #16 – October 22, 2019, 07:39:20 pm

Quote from: Rich Bowman – October 22, 2019, 07:25:15 pm

I had FOT mount a FantasticFan in the ceiling in the bedroom. Blows in or out. Or just use it as a vent.

Put a cover over the vents so they can be used in the rain. So now we have two fans/vents to use even if it is raining.

Rich

Rich,

Was that in place of the second A/C???

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #17 – October 22, 2019, 08:53:31 pm

Quote from: Horace B. Cupp – October 22, 2019, 01:46:49 pm

One of the previous responders found his fan doesn't move enough air which reminds me that proper positioning of the blades is important so that they move air down when on down and up when they are on up. Bassackwards results in very poor efficiency.

Hmmm... you know that is probably why they don't move much air. I noticed that yesterday that the blade angle seemed off.... but maybe there is just not enough space being so close to the ceiling.... will have to check. Either way its coming down so I can either get rid of it, or paint it. All that gold has got to go....

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #18 – October 22, 2019, 08:58:39 pm

We installed a 120v ceiling hugger style 42" 5 blade fan in the bedroom. We got a ceiling drawing from FOT and there is a 3/4" thick plywood panel (12"x24") in the center of the ceiling. 3/4" of foam above that and then the roof structure. They put in a 1/2" PEX tube from the corner closet to the center of the plywood panel in the foam. I used a hole saw to drill through the plywood (once started remove the pilot bit). Once I got into the foam i dug that out and found the Pex. I pulled a round extension cord through the PEX. The plug end plugs into the outlet behind the BR TV. This outlet is currently wired to run on either of our inverters or the landline or generator.

Our 3 speed fan is on almost all of the time. We have it running backwards which pulls air up and out and down the side walls. For these close to the ceiling fans this was the manufacturer's recommendation and it works well. It is an Emerson brand, less than $100. We have had 11 Casablanca fans and they are about the best you can get but at the time we installed our fan they did not make a 42" model. Anything bigger gets too close to the side cabinet door And the space at the end of the bed.

The fan adds significant comfort for us.

Your coach may not have the plywood piece in the ceiling or the PEX installed for wiring. Check to be sure. If you don't have these there are other options for mounting and wiring.

Looks like the price has gone up in the last 7 years.
Emerson CF804SORB Snugger 42" Ceiling Fan - Bronze | CeilingFan.com

44" Casablanca Fan
Casablanca 53188 Durant Mid-Size 44 Inch Maiden Bronze Ceiling Fan |...

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #19 – October 22, 2019, 11:16:34 pm

Brett,

No. My second A/C and the OEM FantasticFan are both in the bathroom. The second FantasticFan is mounted over the bed in the same place as the usual OEM bedroom ceiling fan.

It's another option to consider.

Rich

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #20 – October 25, 2019, 06:14:57 am

We have the same fan as Dave comment 10. Based on his recommendation. We would not be without it. I wanted 12v for boondocking with the inverter off. Having had Hellas before, I feel they are a high quality product. However, the two serve different cooling needs. At Home we would use ceiling fans with the ac on but do not use floor or table fans. Same with the coach we run the ceiling fan almost continuously for the air movement. We also have a 12v standalone Fantastic. Like many we narrow the closure on the windows, turn up the OEM Fantastic

Re: Ceiling fan?

Reply #21 – October 25, 2019, 10:54:29 am

I noticed my original post had a dead link.
Here's a live link: RV 12 Volt Ceiling Fan Remote Control 36" 70058 Used in RV and Marine
Link to replacement fan parts and other RV items: RV Recreational Parts & Products Archives - BJ's RV and Marine Products

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