Generic Benroy Foamie in NE Wisco

[shannonswyatt]

I really liked the idea of the top vent over a fan. It looks good and I'm thinking about borrowing it. I was curious about how the fans worked with it. I liked that it makes a nice clean location for the Dole light as well.

 

[TimC-TNT]

I really liked the idea of the top vent over a fan. It looks good and I'm thinking about borrowing it. I was curious about how the fans worked with it. I liked that it makes a nice clean location for the Dole light as well.

Thanks for the compliments. Andy and Katie are quite happy with the results and continue to make improvements like drawers and other finishing touches in the galley and cabin.

The rear facing vent with four 120mm 12v case fans work great. Though in an effort to get the TD on the road I hacked together a "plug" sort of thing to keep water and other things from entering when on the road and not in use. In the one photo of the rear exterior the blacked out area inside that vent is actually the solid section and the brown is the "temp" plugs. I think the vents should have been bigger but they serve the purpose.

The one trip I was on with them they went to bed late in the evening the first night and forgot to unplug the vents. During the night Katie turned on the fans but they weren't providing any fresh air since they were blocked off and they didn't open the windows. I witnessed them rolling out of the cabin in the morning and both looked very ill. It turned out they spent about 9+ hours in the cabin with no ventilation. Very big lesson learned. We'll have to come up with a better plugging system but after that experience I don't think they'll ever forget to open her up again.

I once calculated the interior cubic feet in my cabin which is slightly bigger. It's around 135 cubic feet if I remember. Two adults can use up a lot of the oxygen overnight in that space. I and others on tnttt have cautioned folks many times to make sure they provide fresh air so matter how cold the night is.

 

[Pmullen503]

...... I and others on tnttt have cautioned folks many times to make sure they provide fresh air so matter how cold the night is.

I agree. I've done quite a bit of winter camping with my trailer. You need just as much air in the winter as you do in summer. Actually more if you want to avoid alot of frost/condensation on the inside.

 

[shannonswyatt]

Maybe something like using a lockout tag, so when the blocking is in place you have a blaze streamer on the controls for the fan, or something simple like that. You could make it more complicated with a warning light that came on when the blocking was in place, but then you would have to worry about the warning light not working.

 

[JasenC]

It looks great.

 

[TimC-TNT]

Maybe something like using a lockout tag, so when the blocking is in place you have a blaze streamer on the controls for the fan, or something simple like that. You could make it more complicated with a warning light that came on when the blocking was in place, but then you would have to worry about the warning light not working.

Brilliant! I'll make that suggestion. Thanks.

 

[KCStudly]

The trouble with using a reminder, like a tag, is that it is just one more thing to be remembered by "the idiot". To truly idiot proof something you need to take "the idiot" out of the equation. This is why fail safe mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical or passive safety systems are preferred.

A passive system would leave the vent open all of the time, using a shroud, baffle or labyrinth arrangement with bug mesh to keep water and critters out. Just saying.

 

[JasenC]

The trouble with using a reminder, like a tag, is that it is just one more thing to be remembered by "the idiot". To truly idiot proof something you need to take "the idiot" out of the equation. This is why fail safe mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical or passive safety systems are preferred.

A passive system would leave the vent open all of the time, using a shroud, baffle or labyrinth arrangement with bug mesh to keep water and critters out. Just saying.

You've over looked the rain sensor and Anemometer that automatically turns off the fan and closes the cover.

But I do agree, it is the loose nut rolling around in the metal Folgers can that is the biggest issue.

 

[TimC-TNT]

I appreciate the input. I posted the warning as a reminder to other builders/owners hoping to prevent anyone from the same experience.

My problem is trying to engineer a change on a TD that isn't mine and is four hours away from my workshop. At this point I can only make suggestions and the quickest, easiest for them to impliment is some sort of tag.

I just don't think after their experience they'll ever forget to open the vent again. Kind of like when you're a kid and despite your mother's warning you put your hand on the stove's hot burner.

Neither my son or daughter in law are idiots. This type of thing could happen to anyone not aware of the danger. So I'll let others debate what the remedy is. My focus is warning folks.

 

[KCStudly]

Understood, and absolutely no offense intended. Perhaps it would have been more PC to have substituted "human element ".