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Old 07-29-2017, 07:06 PM   #1
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Natural Cooling via Floor Vents and Chimney Effect

I have long thought that if I had some air vents in the floor of the van, then, with the top up and poptop windows open, I could create a chimney effect, pulling in cool air from below the van and exhausting hot air through the poptop windows.

Of course, this would need to be done with screening at the vents, and some way to seal the vents during travel.

Has anyone tried anything like this?

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Old 07-29-2017, 07:16 PM   #2
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Not floor vents, but similar effect from using screens on your driver's and passenger's door windows.
Making bug screens (Skreenz) to provide camping comfort by protecting you from bugs like flies and mosquitoes

And from a long-gone group buy on Screenz.
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...vans-1137.html


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Old 07-29-2017, 07:19 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoHauler View Post
Not floor vents, but similar effect from using screens on your driver's and passenger's door windows.
Making bug screens (Skreenz) to provide camping comfort by protecting you from bugs like flies and mosquitoes

And from a long-gone group buy on Screenz.
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...vans-1137.html


Herb
I use that approach currently, with windows open, but no screens--not a lot of bugs around here to worry about. But the air under the van is significantly cooler than air that comes in the windows--which is why I'm thinking about this.
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Old 07-29-2017, 10:05 PM   #4
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It's gaining traction among the Transit home builders. A few of them are ventilating this way and also venting fridges through the floor. Ford Transit USA forum.


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Old 07-29-2017, 10:32 PM   #5
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It's gaining traction among the Transit home builders. A few of them are ventilating this way and also venting fridges through the floor. Ford Transit USA forum.


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What are they using to close up the vent hole when under way? I was thinking of a marine screw-in deck plate.
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Old 07-30-2017, 04:56 AM   #6
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I have the same ideas for my interior rebuild this fall...
I was thinking about 3 short pieces of 4in pvc pipe with some screens. But yet to really figure out the details...
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Old 07-30-2017, 07:55 AM   #7
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Quote:
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What are they using to close up the vent hole when under way? I was thinking of a marine screw-in deck plate.
I don't know exactly. I've read, not seen. I have seen one where a guy fashioned a simple blade valve with a handle just under his fridge that he can push/pull to open the vent in the back for the fridge. It seems like there are lots of easy vent ideas that will work.
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Old 07-30-2017, 09:14 AM   #8
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Wow, this may date me, but I am sure I remember reading a how to on this topic in one of these magazines back in the 70's.

I do believe they used a marine screw deck plate.


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Old 07-30-2017, 12:23 PM   #9
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I used an AC register meant for the ceiling of an RV, installed in the floor of my cargo trailer (though I haven't reinstalled it since replacing the floor.) It has a small knob that you twist to open and close a set of louvers. It was just something that I randomly noticed at a local RV supply place and thought "that might work!" Cost about $10 there.

Looks just like this: https://accessories.lazydays.com/dw-...MaAneKEALw_wcB
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Old 07-30-2017, 02:31 PM   #10
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We'll, SMB just cuts big holes in the floor and sides and basically leaves them open, so what are you worried about? :-)
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