Fan in Escape Hatch?

[Kyz]

Just watched a video where a woman has installed a maxxair fan in her escape hatch. However, it's not complete or wired yet. 

Would that work? It seems like a great space saving solution to me...IF it would work.

Would the wires prevent you from using the escape hatch well? (My thought is that my escape hatch would allow me to clean solar panels easier.)


the video for reference (start at 12:55):

[rvpopeye]

I never had an escape hatch.
Interesting idea.
I'll watch the vid tomorrow .
The things I can think of so far , in no particular order...
The wires would have to loop across on the hinge side . but could /might/probably cause problems long term.
I don't think it would be very in the way to use the hatch.
Is the hatch dome plastic ? , they weaken with age/sun exposure.
A vent cover would/might get in the way of opening it enough to get out of. (covers are a big plus when it rains.)
It might amplify the sound.

For now I'd think if you can spare the roof space (solar takes priority if it gets to that ) I'd be inclined to put it on a solid piece of roof instead. Near but not over the bed .if possible ( intake breeze at night) ...my SOP but I usually just replace an already installed vent. In the bathroom might be close to that already ? I have seen them installed vertically too...
You have a clean slate up there probably , except for that hatch ?
stay tuned , not ready to be too encouraging till I scanalyze the skituationsk ..skheeeeeeew LOL will watch vid and try to think on it more tomorrow.......

[Kyz]

That has actually been a brain freeze for me. The hatch is going to interfer with where I wanted the bathroom. By bathroom, I mean a 36" x 36" space (walled off, 'room') where I want my toilet to be...a mirror and maybe a popup shelf -- and the space could possibly be a future shower as well. The bathroom area (as I have it planned now) would cover at least half of the hatch.

I've been trying to come up with a new floor plan that I'm happy (ish) with.

[rvpopeye]

She mentioned getting a telescoping ladder to use the hatch.
I was wondering about that! !
One of those would reach the roof from the ground too ! LOL
A wall mount ladder could also be found at a recycling yard .
IMO you will have little reason to be up on the roof after your build unless you want to tilt the panels.
Being ladder challenged ( I fall off them, that's my story and I'm sticking to it at this age.,.)
I use a long handled squeegee to clean off the panels after rain and for dust that handle gets a broom .
You probably could still use the hatch to mount the fantastic but as I said last night , there might be issues later...
wait till you know how much space you'll be covering with panels. to decide .

[Kyz]

I have a telescoping ladder and I dislike it very much. It's too heavy and doesn't operatate that smoothly. I was thinking just a step stool from inside. A ladder mounted outside would be ok, IF I can actually reach it from the ground (I couldn't on the RV). I had to get a ladder to get to the ladder. (Even the step stool wasn't tall enough!)

OK, for now I'm rethinking my layout to account for the hatch being there.

Sounds like I should just replace the emergency hatch now since it's a 2009 (and leaks).

[rvpopeye]

I'm just throwing ideas against the wall , this is your baby .
Replacing the lid sounds good (do a gasket too if you can find one). . So does designing in a way to get to the hatch .
I've seen those ladders and people tall enough to reach them too . My feet are big but my legs aren't .
I have seen little fold down 2 or 3 step extensions on some of them.
I fall off ladders so the best ladder to me is no ladder LOL

I do have a ladder of sorts built into the design of my bed , it's 4' off the floor but there are two water tanks and a LOT of storage under there , if I can get rid of some of the stuff I'm going to make it an office. It even has a window that opens !
Not having a permanent ladder would make anything on the roof more secure .
And you really won't need to go up there unless you tilt / panels.
The only reason I go up is to clear ice and snow off the panels or fix leaks.
You don't have snow that needs clearing and your roof is new .


Did you find out where/how on the lift control ?
Does dad have a table saw ?

[GotSmart]

my opinion.   

Leave the hatch clear. You might want to put a cocktail bar platform up there. 

There are plenty of ribs in the roof to cut next to to mount your fan. Keep things in mind when outlining your roof floor plan. Solar panels should be planned and installed before the interior as you will want to have wiring inside the walls where it is hidden. In my experience running wires for lighting and electrical outlets first makes the rest of the build easier. 

Plan a control station really close to wherever the battery bank will be. 

It gets complicated so mark everything. (That is an older build. A new one would have lithium batteries and much more power!

[Kyz]

Did you find out where/how on the lift control ?
Does dad have a table saw ?

I have figured out how the lift works, only 1 tiny hiccup haha (alarm bells when the end didn't come up automatically when it was supposed to). Still waiting to find out if the local council on aging is interested in it enough to come get it.

Dad does have a table saw (actually 2). 

I will look at new hatch/gasket seal.

[Kyz]

my opinion.   

Leave the hatch clear. You might want to put a cocktail bar platform up there. 

There are plenty of ribs in the roof to cut next to to mount your fan. Keep things in mind when outlining your roof floor plan. Solar panels should be planned and installed before the interior as you will want to have wiring inside the walls where it is hidden. In my experience running wires for lighting and electrical outlets first makes the rest of the build easier. 

Plan a control station really close to wherever the battery bank will be. 

It gets complicated so mark everything. (That is an older build. A new one would have lithium batteries and much more power!

Thanks. I need to work on the roof layout pretty soon then. 

I thought platforms on the roof weren't liked by insurance companies?

Supposed to rain tomorrow, but I'll get measurements and start planning as soon as I can.