Anyone use windshield fans when parked?

[RandDescape]

This past summer I noticed how much heat built up at the front at the windshield even as the living area itself was at our desired temperature. All 3 AC units had the fan set on high all day (not auto). The coach itself was at the right temp.

Magna Shades will be on the windshield this coming summer to minimize the solar gain. But all in all I was disappointed that the fans on high didn’t circulate the air at the windshield very much. With the engine off I couldn’t run the overhead fans.

So has anyone changed their fans to be usable when parked? If so what did you do?

Thanks in advance.

- Richard

[JMH]

We use a small portable dc fan powered by the USB port in dash. You could use the 12vdc plug if you don’t have a usb. Also, there are 110vac plugs towards the front and you can plug a AC fan in there. Fan can sit on the dash if small or drivers seat if large.

[Randy125]

Richard, I’m sure your manga shade will change the temp in the windshield area, and If I can be blunt you really don’t live that far forward do you.

[Bobbafett]

You change the power from chassis to house. You'll have to physically move the wire.

But really the fans are there to help with windshield defog/frost.

Just buy a roll of relectix from Home depot and roll it out and cut it close to the windshield. Just push it all in. I use of for solar and for winter . Works geat.

[RandDescape]

Originally Posted by JMH

We use a small portable dc fan powered by the USB port in dash. You could use the 12vdc plug if you don’t have a usb. Also, there are 110vac plugs towards the front and you can plug a AC fan in there. Fan can sit on the dash if small or drivers seat if large.

This summer we did use a 120vac fan and that worked well but it was overkill for the job and required setup/takedown.

I realize now that I failed to mention in my original post that I’m asking specifically about the overhead fans that blow down from the top of the windshield (unit is in the drivers overhead cabinet). It is already in place and setup to blow exactly what/where I want - but only when the ignition is on.

I was considering installing computer fans to circulate the air when parked but first figured I’d ask about the already in place overhead unit.

There are 2 switches that control the unit; one for on/off the other for speed. One could theorize that simply changing the on/off for an on-chassis/off/on-house switch could provide everything I’m looking for. But I thought I’d ask before I got too far down the experimental route.

Thanks for the responses so far and I’ll post back if I learn anything next weekend when I next get a chance to look.

- Richard

[lostinfla]

If you use fans, it just moves the heat elsewhere in the coach. The Magneshade will make a huge difference in the front end heat. In extreme conditions, I also have an aluminized windshield shade cut from a roll I picked up at a camping store. I installed two of the thin (outside) magnets that I got from Magneshade on the foil that correspond to the location of the windshield magnets for the outside shade so it attaches as soon as put in place. Between the two, you will not have near the heat coming in the front.

[cavie]

Why blow hot air around. 2 choices. cover on the windshield or a curtain behind the seats.

[bydnar]

Originally Posted by RandDescape

So has anyone changed their fans to be usable when parked? If so what did you do?

Yes, I have done what you’re asking. I simply found a power source that was on always. I tapped into the accessory socket power feed and wired it to the switch.

[RandDescape]

Originally Posted by bydnar

Yes, I have done what you’re asking. I simply found a power source that was on always. I tapped into the accessory socket power feed and wired it to the switch.

Thanks!

- Richard

[wildtoad]

We’ve had RV’s with those little fans and basically found them worthless. You may like them. What we do to reduce heat from the windshield is to place a large piece of reflectix between the windshield and the shade. Do the same for the side windows.

[powerboatr]

my overhead dash fans will run id key is turned to teh accessory position. i use them to help keep the window clear on cold cold nights



i also have a small heater on the lower dash to keep up.


summer time, i have used them to help move hot air and draw some cool

[RandDescape]

Finally got all the parts and completed the install this afternoon. Purchased an on/off/on switch https://www.otrattw.net/L-SERIES-ON-...L16S2-5MA.html from Otrattw.net. The website doesn't offer a choice of colors - but in the special instructions I asked them for an amber to match the other dash lights and they did that at no extra charge.

I found a constantly powered 12v supply marked "Door Light" to use when parked, it will use the factory overhead fan circuit when we're driving. I wired the switch "backwards" in that as an on/off/on it typically has 1 powered terminal and you select between two outputs. Instead I have 2 inputs and you are choosing which feeds the output. I did run voltage leakage tests although it would be a poor on/off/on to leak anything between the independent outputs.

The On/Off/On switch also allows independent feeds for the 2 lights so you have to jumper between them to get the dash lights to illuminate both the upper and lower words.

The longest part of the whole process was removing the old switch from the 6gang holder on the dash. You have to move all 4 tabs out of the way. I made a remover tool from a simpson strong tie as shown in the picture - it has to be narrower in the middle than the tip to get around the nubs on the switch.

- Richard

[KF5UMC]

On our coach you can simply turn on the fan switch low/high/off without the ignition switch on...I use these fans to circulate cool air from the driver side window and door opened. With a few other windows open in the coach and roof vent open, we get a nice cool breeze fore and aft the coach. Once the day warms up the fans get turned off, windows and shades get closed and pulled down...AC then goes on.