In and out

I’m happy to share that there will be not one but TWO Maxxfan Deluxe 7000K vents in the van. The idea is to be able to use one with air flowing in and one with air flowing out to create crosswind. There isn’t really any feasible option for an off grid air conditioning unit at this point due to their immense power draw, so these two highly acclaimed fans (along with HEFTY insulation; more on that later) will hopefully keep things comfortable.

As a South Florida native, I’m optimistically skeptical about how effective these two fans will be at keeping things cool, but ultimately my goal is really for it to be bearable. The big idea behind van life for me is about getting out and exploring, not spending all day in a tiny tin house. It should be pleasant to sleep in and enjoy a basic existence in, but if I want to enjoy blazing AC I can seek refuge inside any museum or coffee shop across America.

I opted for these Maxxair fans for a few reasons. Most importantly, I like that they can remain open in case of rain. Some fan vents feature self-closing rain sensors, but the Maxxfan Deluxe are designed in a way where they can keep the airflow going even in rainy conditions. Again, as a South Florida native, I’ve had many plans rained out, but there’s probably nothing worse than compounding a rain cancelation with being trapped in a van with no ventilation The idea alone gives me the sweats.

Maxxfan Deluxe power draw at different speeds. via

Other deciding factors included: being able to regulate the flow of air as intake or exhaust, the remote control for ease of use, 10 speed options, and low power draw relative to the airflow.

I haven’t installed them yet but based on all the installation videos I’ve seen and inspecting the product it seems like it should be fairly straight forward. The actual device is extremely light but I trust the plastic is durable given its intended wear and all the rave reviews out there. I’ll be sure to share my own take on the effectiveness and durability of these bad boys in time. Til then.