Maxxair Maxxfan Deluxe Roof Fan - Review

Contents

Key Features
Models and Features
Where to Buy
Runner-Up
Specifications
Installation
Operation
Reliability
Conclusion
Resources

The Maxxfan Deluxe roof fan has many roles in our Ford Transit campervan conversion. It keeps the air fresh, helps to increase airflow, to evacuate cooking odors and to control moisture. We use it when we’re parked or when we’re driving, day or night, during summer or during winter… it might not seems important at first, but without the fan, the van would quickly become undesirable to live in. Here is our review!

Key Features

Can be left opened when raining (Built-in Rain Cover)
10 Speed Intake & Exhaust
900 CFM
Lid Opening: Manual or Electric (models 7000K & 7500K)
Can be left fully closed or fully opened when driving (partially opened may damaged it)

Models and Features

00-5301k-5100k-7000k_maxxfan-deluxe_white_open — White

00-6401k-6200k-7500k_maxxfan-deluxe_smoke_open — Smoke

Where to Buy

MODEL	COLOR	BUY FROM
5100K / 6200K	White / Smoke	Buy from Amazon.com
7000K	White	Buy from Amazon.com
7500K	Smoke	Buy from Amazon.com

Runner-Up

Fantastic (See it on Amazon.com) offers a product similar to Maxxfan in term of performance and quality.

PROS

The Fantastic fan is relatively cheaper.
It was reported that Fantastic fan has outstanding customer service and support.

CONS

The Fantastic cannot be left opened when raining. This is a major issue, since ventilation is very important when it’s raining and humid outside. The Fantastic features a rain sensor on some models, so the lid will close automatically when it rains (some users reported that the lid will close if there is condensation on the roof, which is not good)
3 speed (vs 10 for the Maxxfan). As it turns out, we use speed 1 and 2 a lot on our Maxxfan as it reduces noise and minimizes electrical consumption.

For us, the cons did not outbalanced the pros so we’re glad we went for the Maxxfan.

Specifications

Dimensions:

Fits a standard RV fan cutout of 14″ x 14″.

Flow:

900 CFM

Power Consumption:

SPEED	AMP
1	0.1
2	0.2
3	0.3
4	0.4
5	0.6
6	0.9
7	1.1
8	1.5
9	2.0
10	2.8

Installation

We covered the Maxxair Fan Installation previously in the following post. It includes the material list and how we installed the fan, step-by-step:

Operation

Exhaust or Intake (reverse)?

We normally use the fan in exhaust mode (pushing air outside) so that fresh cool air enters the van near the floor and exits at the roof through the fan.

The fan can also be run in intake (reverse) mode with the lid closed; this way, it acts just as a home ceiling fan.

Speed

Here is a general guideline on how we set the speed:

Lid Opened (Speed 0):

While driving during a warm summer day. Driving will create a natural draft and create an air circulation in the van.
Light cooking in winter.

Speed 1 or 2:

Warm summer night. The fan is really quiet at these speed and it creates a sufficient ventilation.
When cooking in winter.

Speed 3 or 4:

Warm summer day.
When cooking in summer.

Speed 5 to 9:

The fan starts to make more noise at this level and requires a sufficient passive intake.
Deep Fried Bacon cooking odors evacuation!
We found that it is not generally necessary to use that mode.

Speed 10:

LUDICROUS MODE

Lid Opening

We bought the model with the manual lid opening, because our fan is installed in the center of the van. We did not see the need to have a remote, except we can now see that it could be useful (when we forget to close or open the fan while driving or at night to avoid getting up from bed). Also, we were worried that the automatic mechanism could suffer in snow/ice, but we did not read any report that there is actually a problem with that. Opening the lid manually is very easy; just turn the knob a few turns and voilà! We were glad to see that the lid doesn’t tend to get stuck in ice or snow.

Reliability

We’ve been using the fan since June 2016 and we had no issue so far!

Conclusion

While we hesitated to get a Fantastic to save some cash, we’re glad we went with the Maxxfan. As it turns out a fan is especially useful during a humid rainy day, the Fantastic can’t beat the Maxxfan on that. We really appreciate the 10 speeds as well. It’s money well spent!

Resources

Manufacturer Website (look for the installation and operating instructions at the bottom of the page)

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