Powered vent cover - Dutchmen Owners
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Dutchmen Owners > Dutchmen Technical | Towing, Maintenance and Repairs > Modifications and Upgrades
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-25-2016, 08:54 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Ft. Pierce
Posts: 312
Florida
Powered vent cover

We recently purchased a Denali 325RL and it has the rounded roof. My wife could not reach the vent handle and I had to stand on my toes to do so. So I designed this powered vent cover system. If we press and hold the up button the vent will open half-way and the fan will come on. Press and holding the down button will bring the vent back down and kill the motor. And in case of rain, we can position it anywhere in between.
Attached Files
__________________

Handyman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 10:20 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
DC8Captain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Golden
Posts: 178
Colorado
Excellent,
If you would post a materials list and how you did that would also be Excellent.

Dale
__________________

__________________
Dale & Deb
2009 Silverado Crew Cab 2500 HD
2014 Dutchmen 275BH TT
DC8Captain is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 10:40 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Ft. Pierce
Posts: 312
Florida
I used this motor that I got off Ebay: 12V DC 60RPM High Torque Gear Box Electric Mini Motor | eBay

I had the switch which is a DPDT momentary contact. This can be ordered from numerous sources.

And I got the two limit switches from Radio Shack.
I cut the original handle and used only the part that slides onto the vent actuator. I drilled a hole through the part that the screw was inserted in and through the motor shaft and used a finishing nail as a connecting pin.
And the conduit from Lowes or HD.

I used bailing wire connected to the metal part of the vent to actuate the 'UP' limit switch and part of a hose clamp to actuate the 'DOWN' limit switch.

And here is the schematic
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	camper vent schematic.jpg
Views:	300
Size:	50.6 KB
ID:	3039  
Handyman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 10:52 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
DC8Captain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Golden
Posts: 178
Colorado
Quote:
Originally Posted by Handyman View Post
I used this motor that I got off Ebay: 12V DC 60RPM High Torque Gear Box Electric Mini Motor | eBay

I had the switch which is a DPDT momentary contact. This can be ordered from numerous sources.

And I got the two limit switches from Radio Shack.
I cut the original handle and used only the part that slides onto the vent actuator. I drilled a hole through the part that the screw was inserted in and through the motor shaft and used a finishing nail as a connecting pin.
And the conduit from Lowes or HD.

And here is the schematic
Thanks, Well done. I especially like the part about using a finishing nail though.

Dale

Dale
__________________
Dale & Deb
2009 Silverado Crew Cab 2500 HD
2014 Dutchmen 275BH TT
DC8Captain is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 11:13 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
hddecker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: kamloops
Posts: 2,152
British Columbia
Now that's handy.
__________________
Jim

When I was a kid I was going nowhere fast, now I'm an old man I'm going everywhere slow.
hddecker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2016, 09:08 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Occupant5143's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Sierra Vista
Posts: 314
Arizona
Something I don't really need but the "coolness factor" is definitely there. Makes me want to do something like this too.
__________________
2012 Dutchmen Denali 289RK
2013 Ford F250 Lariat - 6.7L Powerstroke Diesel
Occupant5143 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2016, 01:05 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Ft. Pierce
Posts: 312
Florida
I am a 'techie' guy but when I use technology to solve real world problems, such as not being able to reach the vent handle, it makes it extra special.
__________________

Handyman is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dutchmen RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT. The time now is 08:03 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2020 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.
×