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Like the Windows, the MaxxAir fan and Dometic air conditioner installation required cutting holes in my nearly-new van, so for this reason I turned to a professional.
Solar & electrical system parts & tools:
MaxxAir fan - $369 -
Dometic air conditioner - $1,200 (only on shore power)
MaxxAir, fan, A/C, and solar install - $1,500
Sirocco II fan - $109
Heater hose kit - $26
Webasto AirTop heater - $900
Webasto heater install - $800
Portable space heater - $44 (only on shore power)
Cost = $4,948
Wyatt and the team at Inner Space Ships were super helpful, and they installed my MaxxAir fan and Dometic air conditioning unit as well as my Solar Panels and Windows. Here’s Wyatt taking a selfie with my new A/C unit.
After installation.
The MaxxAir fan seems to be industry-standard for vanlife ventilation, everyone has one. I opted to pay a bit more for the model that you can leave open in the rain which has proved handy on more than one occasion. I also went with the black model vs. the white because I liked the look a bit better.
Another view. I have since learned to avoid parking beneath trees like this - whenever possible - because debris can accumulate around the fan and cause problems with it opening.
Here’s what the installed A/C unit looked like inside the van. The A/C draws a lot of power, so it’s not feasible to run it on solar power. I only use it when plugged up to shore power at an RV park.
Because there’s a few inches gap between the unit and the ceiling panel, I built this little wooden square and cut a hole in the ceiling panel to properly redirect the airflow. (The ceiling panels are covered in more detail in the Paneling section.)
Here’s the interior cover of the A/C unit after I attached it to the ceiling panel.
Unlike the A/C unit, the MaxxAir has a very low power draw and can run pretty much constantly if it’s in the sunlight. It does need to have a window open or cracked to create airflow. If it’s a little warm out, it’s nice to leave the MaxxAir running overnight with a Window cracked for a nice breeze.
You can see here where I had to trim down the MaxxAir cover to accommodate some wiring.
A view looking up at the MaxxAir from my Bed.
Maybe even more important than keeping things cool during the daytime is keeping things warm at night. I've been truly grateful for my Webasto heater on some cold desert nights.
First: don't be cheap. I bought a Webasto AirTop heater on eBay and it shipped from Russia. It was cheaper than the American-made version. It does work, but it caused problems with the installation and makes it more difficult to find accessories. For example, it can only be manually controlled, I haven't been able to find a thermostat that will work with my model.)
The Webasto runs off my 12v Electrical System and uses the gas that is already in your gas tank. (I’ve run it overnight and not seen any noticeable drop in my vehicle’s gas gauge.) I chose it because I didn't want to use propane in my van or have to carry any extra fuel. I watched a couple installation videos and the install for the Webasto involves tapping into the fuel tank/fuel lines. It also involves drilling into the floor of the vehicle. If you’re not comfortable doing either of these things, and I’m not, I’d hire a professional for the install. I looked up a list of Webasto-authorized dealers and took it up to Phoenix Conversions in Tennessee. I was pleased with their install and service and it was done the same day. (Although it had been scheduled months in advance – they tend to be booked up.)
I had a hard time maneuvering the output hoses under the seat so I bought this heater hose kit which ended up being perfect. When I'm sitting at my desk on a cold night the dual output keeps both of my feet warm.
One drawback to the Webasto is that it has documented difficulties operating at "high elevation," defined as 6700ft or higher. (This has something to do with the thinner oxygen, and carbon buildup in the heater, I'm not going to pretend I understand it all.) I picked up one of these heaters as a Plan B for high elevations, but it is a very large power draw so I will only use it when I'm at an RV park or plugged into shore power.
Anytime you're using a Webasto or similar system, it's important to have a carbon monoxide detector in your van, just in case. I have two, one that sits about the glove compartment near the heater and also a combo smoke/carbon monoxide detector mounted on the ceiling above my bed.
With the electrical system and HVAC in place, the van plan was finally starting to take shape, and I was ready to install the Paneling!
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