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Topic: The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach (Read 1509 times) previous topic - next topic

The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach

Last time we were in Nac I walked through every Foretravel on the lot at MOT and FOT.  You know how it is, you want to see what other models look like.  Maybe pick up an idea or two.

I saw a coach that had two six-inch chrome fans attached to the underside of the front TV.  Ding, ding, ding. I liked that.  When we  travel on chilly, rainy days we have had some fogging of the windshield.  This is never good and our windshield defrosters just are not up to the task.  So I said to myself: just how hard could this be?

With the input of some of you I found a pair of fans I liked on eBay and bought them.  When we were in Montana, my cousin and I found a 12V supply up front (thanks to a good suggestion from Gary O)
that was not too difficult to access.  So now I had two sets of wires hanging down from the TV cabinet.

A few days later I made an attempt to attached the fans underneath the TV.  What an impossible job that was.  With little clearance to use a screwdriver, little space to tuck extra wire and two wire nuts into the  shallow base of the fans I could not get the fans attached.

After thinking about the "problem" for a day or two I reasoned that if I could get a disc of walnut to use as a mounting block that in the comfort of an outdoor picnic bench workshop I could attach the fans to discs and then run two screws up into each mounting disc to secure the whole assembly to the TV cabinet.

I turned to ForeForums to find some walnut discs.  Several of you offered to make them for me so I asked Brad Bissonnet in Fredericksburg, TX to make them. 

When we arrived in Moab, the discs were waiting for me at the post office.

The installation process was still not a piece of cake.  Sandy is an excellent assistant (although there was some grumbling about having to work on a Saturday and the need to file a grievance).  To make the attachment of the discs of walnut to the TV easier, I made a paper template for use in drilling my two holes in the underneath side of the TV through which I would run the brass screws to attach the fan assemblies. Ding, ding, ding.  It worked.

This project demonstrates to me just what an invaluable asset the ForeForums is.  Not only is there good information, but of late, there has been a lot of good camaraderie as well.

Thanks to everyone who assisted. 
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach

Reply #1 –
George. That is a lovely, efficient mount for your 12v DC, windshield fans, looks great. I'm jealous, I just removed two similar fans and gave them away. I hope the new owner sees your pictures and description. I took mine out because they kept vibrating loose and falling when I turned them on, even on "low speed". Mine were mounted on the horizontal, vinyl, plywood panel behind the windshield and in front of the valence on very tall walnut boxes so that very long, (7") screws ran from fan base, thru the wooden box up to the plywood panel. There just wasn't enough purchase to allow for the vibration of the fan, mine were oscillating fans. There was a nice Foretravel double, three way (off, lo, hi)  switch near the drivers left knee next to the step cover switch. Frankly, I got tired of reinstalling because the logistics of reinforcing and/or relocating the screws became an exercise in frustration, besides I didn't use them very often, anyway. If I had your experience then, I might have done as you did, thanks for sharing your procedure.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach

Reply #2 –
George & others with 2000 coaches,
A couple years ago we drove from Raine, LA to FOT in an all day rain, high humidity and a persistant layer of condensation on the inside of the windshield.  Nothing I did with the defroster, temperature control or a/c did anything to clear the moisture.  When I got to FOT I was disgusted.  The next day I talked with James Triana and he told me that 2000 coaches (there may have been a year or two before and / or after too, I can't remember) were wired so that when the defroster was turned on the a/c compressor was turned off.  He didn't know why it was done that way, he thought it was dumb and it was eliminated after a couple years.  I asked if we could change mine and he said "Sure" and that's what we did.  That completely cured my windshield condensation problems.  You might want to take a look at this situation.
Paul
36' 2000 U320
Paul
36' 2000 U320
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Re: The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach

Reply #3 –
George,
Wondered what you were up to when you were looking for the Walnut.  Very nice job, looks good!
Pat
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Paul Wildenstein –
George & others with 2000 coaches,
A couple years ago we drove from Raine, LA to FOT in an all day rain, high humidity and a persistant layer of condensation on the inside of the windshield.  Nothing I did with the defroster, temperature control or a/c did anything to clear the moisture.  When I got to FOT I was disgusted.  The next day I talked with James Triana and he told me that 2000 coaches (there may have been a year or two before and / or after too, I can't remember) were wired so that when the defroster was turned on the a/c compressor was turned off.  He didn't know why it was done that way, he thought it was dumb and it was eliminated after a couple years.  I asked if we could change mine and he said "Sure" and that's what we did.  That completely cured my windshield condensation problems. 
Paul
36' 2000 U320


SO HOW DID YOU REWIRE IT?

Re: The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach

Reply #5 –
The fans I added are positioned so that you can get to them easily while driving.  The driver fan is on the left side of the TV cabinet and my arms are long enough to reach the switch even with the seat belt on.  The passenger fan is under the passenger cabinet.

I used the 12v that was in the passenger cabinet to power the passenger fan.  No problems for almost 2 years then all of sudden no fan power and no power to the electric TV antenna.  Seems the slo-blow fuse for the antenna went south and the fuse I added for the fan had too high a rating.  I had to take everything apart again to get at the antenna fuse. Now both the antenna fuse and the fan fuse are wired in front of the rear panel in the cabinet where they are out of the way but still accessable.

So the good news is that Foretravels prove again how well built they are in that there are fuses close to every fixture --- but the bad news is that many of them are hidden.
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee

Re: The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach

Reply #6 –
I guess I'd use the 120v outlet next to the driver's seat and 120v fans
___

best, paul
"Thriving not surviving" <(*¿*)>Paul Schaye (at 2008 NYC Marathon) "Life is what happens when you are doing other things!"
 
"If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much room!"
See our blog at LazyDazers.com
 
Quote
I did something similar and used the 12v that was in the passenger side cabinet for power.  No
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach

Reply #7 –
Duane,
I was afraid someone would ask me this.  I didn't make the wiring change, one of the techs did it with James telling him what to do.  It didn't require a whole lot of effort, as I recall, but after making the change the first test showed that the compressor was on all the time, not just when turned on with the dash switch.  The cure for that was the insertion of a diode somewhere in the new wiring.  That cured it and it has worked just fine ever since.  Hopes this helps.
Paul
36' 2000 U320
Paul
36' 2000 U320
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Re: The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach

Reply #8 –
Horace,

Thank you for your kind comments.  As projects go, it can't compare to a new TV or a new desk/computer station.  But, if it helps just one other coach owner solve a problem then the effort to post it will be worthwhile.
I know we will be pleased to have two fans to disperse fog from the windshield.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach

Reply #9 –
Thank you, Steve.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach

Reply #10 –
My apology to Brad Bissonnet.  I incorrectly attributed the making of the walnut discs to Gary in Fredericksburg, TX.  I was in error and feel badly.

I have corrected the topic.

Thanks again Brad for a nice job.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: The saga of adding windshield fans to the Stoltz coach

Reply #11 –
George,
No problem and your job looks great. 

Thanks,

2000 U320 4000
Brad

2000 U320 4000