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Old 08-31-2018, 04:00 PM   #1
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I think I solved our stuffy bunk problem

So, our children that sleep in the bunks in our 26BHS have complained about how stuffy it is in there. The bunks have three sides enclosed and the fourth side about 70% enclosed. I have been scratching my head about how to install some fans that would not require a bunch of mods to wire in - either to 12v dc or 110v ac. I just didn't want to tear into a bunch of stuff to wire them in. I found battery fans, but based on reviews, battery life with them running on high wouldn't even make it through a quarter of a night. We have enough stuff that runs on AA batteries and I didn't want that added expense

I finally had an aha moment last week and bought the following:
1. Two battery/micro-usb powered fans with clamps. These will run w/o a battery in them if connected to USB power!
2. Two usb 110v chargers - dual port chargers will reduce output when two devices are connected, so I opted for separate chargers
3. Two 15' micro-usb (android style) charging cables
4. One power strip
5. Some self-adhesive wire clips for keeping the wires tidy.

Between the skirting under the bottom bunk - pretty thin luan plywood and the wall, there was enough of a gap to easily poke the usb cables through w/o drilling. I plugged in the powerstrip into the fridge outlet in the storage bay below the bottom bunk and plugged my usb chargers into that. Clamped on the fans, routed the wires and installed the self-adhesive clips and voila - fans in each of the bunks. Everything set me back $80 on Amazon and took me all of 15 minutes to set up.

We are headed out on a family vacation tomorrow, so we will have a chance to give these a good workout and see if it solves the problem.

Fans are adjustable with 4 speeds and are fairly quiet. Some pictures have been pasted below:

Fan 1, bottom bunk:


Fan 2, top bunk:


Powerstrip under bunk in storage compartment:


View of where the USB cables pass through to the compartment:


Self-adhesive wire clips to keep wires organized:


View of fan from inside bunk:




Hope this helps! I will report back on how well it worked when we return home.
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Old 08-31-2018, 04:14 PM   #2
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Looks great - Very nice Mod!
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Old 08-31-2018, 05:46 PM   #3
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Good thinking!
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Old 09-02-2018, 07:38 PM   #4
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We also added fans to the sides and refectix to the windows, and it has helped the stuffiness problem quite a bit. I bought the clip-on fans that plug into a regular wall outlet. When we use them, I run the cords behind the TV.

The only one that really uses the fan and reflectix is my younger one that sleeps in the lower bunk since it has a larger window and no air conditioning vent. I made a reflectix shade for the older one and bought a fan for that one also, but older child rarely wants either.
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Old 09-03-2018, 03:48 PM   #5
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Can you post a link to the fans plz.
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Old 09-04-2018, 09:53 AM   #6
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Curious...do your bunks not each have a regular outlet in them? We have the 27BHS which is a very similar design and each bunk has an outlet in it and the top bunk actually has an A/C vent on the ceiling.
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Old 09-04-2018, 10:24 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewat View Post
Curious...do your bunks not each have a regular outlet in them? We have the 27BHS which is a very similar design and each bunk has an outlet in it and the top bunk actually has an A/C vent on the ceiling.

I have the 27BHS and it has an AC vent for the top bunk but no vent of any kind for the bottom bunk.
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Old 09-04-2018, 12:48 PM   #8
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Here is what I did to solve that problem.
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_20180503_113413332.jpg   IMG_20180503_113437108.jpg  
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Old 09-04-2018, 07:05 PM   #9
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We did almost the same thing. I found 2 clamp on fans that plug into a regular outlet. 6 bucks each at a bargain outlet near the house. They work well. We used them for the first time this weekend.
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Old 09-06-2018, 03:13 PM   #10
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Our 26bh doesn't have an outlet or an air conditioner vent in the bottom bunk.
The upper bunk doesn't have an outlet either.
Pic of reflectix sunshade on the bottom bunk's window. Click image for larger version

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Old 09-08-2018, 10:30 AM   #11
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Great solution, thanks for the photos.
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Old 09-08-2018, 11:15 AM   #12
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Couldn’t you just use usb powered fans that are Uber cheap and use the ever so plentiful usb plugs?

In fact my company gives those usb fans away at conferences.
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Old 09-08-2018, 11:51 AM   #13
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I used a portable battery operated fan & it worked well.
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Old 09-11-2018, 08:12 AM   #14
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We just got back from a 10 day vacation to the Black Hills. The fans worked perfectly and were the solution the kids needed in their bunks.

@fdhealy4, here is what I picked up from Amazon:

Clamp Fans

USB Chargers I bought two separate chargers instead of one dual port charger, as the amperage on the cheaper ones gets reduced when you have two devices plugged in.

Charging Cables

Power Strip
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Old 09-11-2018, 08:22 AM   #15
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I also use 2 clamp on style fans, one for each bunk, and even on low speed they are enough to circulate a bit of fresh air in there. Mine are 120V AC fans, so the power cords run across the bunk/dinette separation wall along the top, and plug into the outlet for the TV/DVD player with a splitter. If I really need a fan going all night while dry camping, I can plug one into a small inverter that goes into the 12V DC television plug. They make a big difference!

Also I would highly recommend insulating underneath the rear bunk. It made a tremendous improvement in temperature control down there. I measured a 3+ degree Celsius difference before and after when camping in cooler weather in the fall.
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Old 09-11-2018, 08:45 AM   #16
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I installed the same set up, in both bunks, used in popups. 12V power point off the closest light and a popup fan/ light. I used the shortest "handicapped" hand pullup (about 8 ")
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Old 09-11-2018, 06:08 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SkyBound View Post
I also use 2 clamp on style fans, one for each bunk, and even on low speed they are enough to circulate a bit of fresh air in there. Mine are 120V AC fans, so the power cords run across the bunk/dinette separation wall along the top, and plug into the outlet for the TV/DVD player with a splitter. If I really need a fan going all night while dry camping, I can plug one into a small inverter that goes into the 12V DC television plug. They make a big difference!

Also I would highly recommend insulating underneath the rear bunk. It made a tremendous improvement in temperature control down there. I measured a 3+ degree Celsius difference before and after when camping in cooler weather in the fall.
Did you use reflectix or regular insulation under the bunk? Have you tested it during warm weather camping?
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