Installing a Ceiling Fan in Our Bus Conversion

Our bus has it’s very first appliance: a MaxxFan 4000K Ceiling Fan Vent! Emmett and I spent a sunny weekend installing it into our bus ceiling. We were honestly pretty nervous to cut a large hole into the roof but in the end everything seemed to be very secure and watertight. Here’s how we did it!

Disclaimer (as always): We are not professionals. We are learning this as we go and I created these posts merely for those interested and to potentially offer guidance to other bus conversion novices like ourselves.

Installing the Fan

Step 1: Cutting the Hole

Emmett and I began this step by first deciding exactly where we wanted the Maxxair vent fan to be installed. After careful consideration, we decided upon placing it above our future bed. Then we measured the fan and traced those measurements onto the ceiling. At each of the four corners of that fan-shaped tracing, we drilled a pilot hole. This not only allowed us to see the location of the fan from the roof but also provided starter holes for our jigsaw. After drilling, we crawled up onto the roof and used a straight edge to trace out the square again between each pilot hole. Then Emmett used our RYOBI jig saw to cut the hole and voila (see above)!

Step 2: Prepping the Ceiling for Install

Bad quality shot of our overnight clamp set up - my phone camera dislikes bright sunlight.

Once the hole was cut, our next step was to strengthen the perimeter of the hole on the ceiling with some spare pallet wood. We did this in order to give the fan a better and thicker base to be screwed onto. Emmett and I cut the pallet wood to size with our circular saw and then glued it onto the ceiling. To get the glue to adhere properly, we clamped each piece onto the ceiling (see above). Then we left the clamp setup overnight, using a spare piece of scrap metal as a temporary hole cover to keep out weather and critters.

Step 3: (Actually) Installing the Fan

The fan’s edges covered in butyl tape and nearly ready to be put in place.

The next day, the pallet wood was well-adhered to the ceiling and we were able to get started on putting the fan in place. First we lined the lip of the fan with butyl tape - which is basically a thick watertight tape-like adhesive (see above). Then, for extra comfort/security we also added some roof sealant on the gaps between the tape. From there we put the fan in place and then using the kit screws, drilled the fan through the ceiling and into the pallet wood. Last but not least, we covered the screws with more roof sealant to keep all aspects of the fan watertight. And then we were done!

Materials Used on this Project

Cutting the hole

Measuring Tape

Carpenter’s Pencil

RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Drill

Dewalt 3/8-in Pilot Point Drill Bit

RYOBI ONE+ 18-Volt Cordless Orbital Jig Saw

Bosch T118B Steel T-Shank Jig Saw Blade

2. Installing the Fan

Pallet Wood

Premium Multipurpose Loctite Construction Adhesive

Three 4 inch C Clamps & one 3 inch 3-Way Edging Clamp

Dicor BT-1834-1 1/8" x 3/4" x 30' Butyl Seal Tape

Dicor 501LSW-1 Epdm Self-Leveling Lap Sealant - 10.3 Oz

Maxxair Vent Corp White 00-04000K Maxxfan Plus Vent 14" 12V

RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Drill

how to install rv ceiling vent fan on bus conversion // skoolie ceiling fan install guide

Related Posts...

Wiring Our Skoolie

Putting together a solar-powered 12v system on our skoolie.

Installing a Pine Tongue & Groove Ceiling on Our Skoolie

Installing a pine tongue and groove ceiling on our school bus conversion. | Skoolie Ceiling Install.

Bus Update: A Timeline of Recent Events

A timeline of some of the unexpected obstacles we have faced in the past year and how we are back on track.

How to Cheaply Cover Your Skoolie Windows

How to Cover Up the Windows You Don't Need On Your Skoolie - for cheap. Don’t want to spend money on replacing windows completely? Here’s a good way to cover them up without spending big on welding.