Hi All. Most RVs have a push up vent(s) in the roof which lets in light and fresh air.
Our 'van has the commonly fitted Dometic brand at front and back. It has one sliding section to keep insects out and and second one to block out light.
The problem with these roof vents is they also let in the sun and heat when the sun is high in the sky and if you close the blind that blocks out light, you will find the heat still pours in.
We got a hold of a sheet of the aluminum foil which has bubble plastic in between the two sheets of foil, cut it to shape and then double layered it between the vent and the closed light blind. If we want to take the goil out, we just side back the blind and remove it. The more rigid windscreen reflectors ($5 at K Mart) could be cut to shape and also used.
But we now have no heat pouring in through the vents in Perths hot days and the air temperature inside the van is so much easier to control with the air conditioner
adventure before dementia said
03:06 PM Jan 27, 2016
Good work
Radar said
03:45 PM Jan 27, 2016
Bruce and Bev hi
On my shot list for a caravan was a four season air vent, unfortunately buying second hand sometimes you don't get all the things you want then we got hit by a hail storm damaging the roof of the van, so now it has a four season air vent after paying a bit more to have it fitted.
Once you have one, it will be high on your list and then the van.
First thing it don't let lots of light in but with the vent part open you can feel the air movement, with it wide open it certainly lets lot of air in.
A truly great investment.
meetoo said
12:24 AM Jan 28, 2016
Hi Bruce and Bev.
Good thinking with the foil covered bubble wrap. Those large vents do let in a lot of heat.
Do you have a name for the foiled bubble wrap or a place that sells it?
Thanks.
Cheers John
The Phantom said
01:10 AM Jan 28, 2016
It is just sarking. I have it in my roof. Bunnings probably sell it
The Phantom
Edit: You could possibly pick a piece up out of a bin/skip on a building site
-- Edited by The Phantom on Thursday 28th of January 2016 01:11:38 AM
tempestv8 said
10:01 AM Jan 28, 2016
Thanks for sharing your solution. I did find that a lot of heat comes in. The manufacturers of these roof vents should line the sliding blockout blind with a reflective surface on the "sunny" side to reflect away heat.
laurieoz said
10:35 AM Jan 28, 2016
I have the same vents
One is above the bed that raises up to the top. Have to put a old towel on the bed so the bed cover does not fade. (the towel is now faded)
The other problem there is a permanent gap when the vent is closed so leaves and dust come in both above the bed and in the toilet/shower
Bruce and Bev said
10:44 AM Jan 28, 2016
we actually got it from the place Bev works at - they were throwing large sheets of it out which had been used to cover bagged party ice which wouldn't fit into their ice freezers.
Phantom is probably right as to where you could find discarded sheets of this stuff and if Bunnings don't sell it, then no doubt a house builder could tell you.
Hi All. Most RVs have a push up vent(s) in the roof which lets in light and fresh air.
Our 'van has the commonly fitted Dometic brand at front and back. It has one sliding section to keep insects out and and second one to block out light.
The problem with these roof vents is they also let in the sun and heat when the sun is high in the sky and if you close the blind that blocks out light, you will find the heat still pours in.
We got a hold of a sheet of the aluminum foil which has bubble plastic in between the two sheets of foil, cut it to shape and then double layered it between the vent and the closed light blind. If we want to take the goil out, we just side back the blind and remove it. The more rigid windscreen reflectors ($5 at K Mart) could be cut to shape and also used.
But we now have no heat pouring in through the vents in Perths hot days and the air temperature inside the van is so much easier to control with the air conditioner
Bruce and Bev hi
On my shot list for a caravan was a four season air vent, unfortunately buying second hand sometimes you don't get all the things you want then we got hit by a hail storm damaging the roof of the van, so now it has a four season air vent after paying a bit more to have it fitted.
Once you have one, it will be high on your list and then the van.
First thing it don't let lots of light in but with the vent part open you can feel the air movement, with it wide open it certainly lets lot of air in.
A truly great investment.
Hi Bruce and Bev.
Good thinking with the foil covered bubble wrap. Those large vents do let in a lot of heat.
Do you have a name for the foiled bubble wrap or a place that sells it?
Thanks.
Cheers John
It is just sarking. I have it in my roof. Bunnings probably sell it
The Phantom
Edit: You could possibly pick a piece up out of a bin/skip on a building site
-- Edited by The Phantom on Thursday 28th of January 2016 01:11:38 AM
I have the same vents
One is above the bed that raises up to the top. Have to put a old towel on the bed so the bed cover does not fade. (the towel is now faded)
The other problem there is a permanent gap when the vent is closed so leaves and dust come in both above the bed and in the toilet/shower
Phantom is probably right as to where you could find discarded sheets of this stuff and if Bunnings don't sell it, then no doubt a house builder could tell you.
Thanks Bruce and The Phantom.
Cheers John