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[VanessaVanlife]

Hi Guys
Sorry to be a pain, but I'm based in the UK and looking to buy a Rain Sensing roof vent for my Van Build, but getting hold of one in the UK is hard (don't know why as we can have the proverbial 4 seasons in one day). All the products seem to come from the USA or Australia.
I'm wanting something reliable as I can be out mountain biking for a good 3 or 4 hours and if I don't want to take the dog with me, I'm going to want to have Vents open in the van. Also don't want to have to be sending it back to the USA if it fails. So I'm looking for advice on reliability and how "sensitive" the rain sensor are as in does it have to be fairly heavy rain or does it catch it quite early. Also what are people thoughts on the 2 different Brands:

Fan-Tastic Fan 7350
https://amzn.to/2M6AmqT

Or
Maxx Air 4500K
https://amzn.to/2Mchwis

Many Thanks guys
Vanessa

[Camper_Dan]

Greetings & Welcome!

Over the years I've learned to hate roof vents, the only one I've ever had that didn't leak went out of production over 50 years ago.  Even resealing them every 6 months is no guarantee.

The rain sensors on mine were worthless, and I tried both the Fantastic and the Maxair.  They do have shrouds that you put over them to make them pretty rainproof, but still not leak proof.  There is a newer design that might be more rain friendly:

https://www.amazon.com/Maxxair-00-06200K-MaxxFan-Ventillation-Opening/dp/B002OWAIB8/ref=sr_1_30

These days, I am totally allergic to any holes in my roofs, they're always a huge pain.  Opening windows or added wall vents are a much better idea, and cheaper too.  With a window van, no extra vents are needed, just a cheap fan.  With a cargo van, you can get louvered metal wall vents at any home improvement store.  The indoor part opens & closes.  Add a hook above it to hang a cheap 10" 12v fan.  Total cost for fan and both indoor & outdoor vents, under $50, and they won''t leak, and will also give you better ventilation.

Cheers!

[Vee]

We have the fantastic fan, cut the sensor out in the end, literally useless, closes in any rain (sounds good but isn't when rain wasn't coming in and you needed vent open) closed when humidity high and then wouldn't open as the sensor was certain it was raining!! Suggest normal fan, left cracked open, small drips in maybe? Far better than the mould that accumulates when the damn thing won't open.

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Sooo its better to get a mounted wall vent than have a hole the roof?  Need to keep the doggos safe and sound.  Would I need to charge or have the vent plugged in?  No idea about battery either...

Just got the Peugeot Express last week, its an empty can at the moment, learning so much from your posts....