PHOENIX Solar Fan Kit Instruction Manual

INSTALLING YOUR

SOLAR FAN KIT

You Will Need:
– Solar Fan/Vinyl Collar/HH-66 Vinyl Cement/Velcro Strips -2 Ladders (ideally, 1 interior 1 exterior) -Exacto Knife/Scissors -Paintbrush (or similar) -A Partner! -Staples/Clear Tape/Wood Collar (for finishing)

1. Warm Up Your Glue

• HH-66 is ideally applied at 15ºC/59ºF and above
• If outdoor temperatures are less than this, bring your glue inside inside for a day or so in advance of installation so it can warm up to ambient levels
• The lower the temperature, the more quickly your glue will start to set – bear this in mind. If cold temperatures are unavoidable, you’ll want to apply the glue and collar as quickly as possible to prevent premature hardening

2. Decide On Location

• You’ll want to orient your solar fan towards the arc of the sun specific to your location
• Upper triangles of your Dome are ideal for removing the hot air that will rise and accumulate towards your ceiling in the summer
• Your solar fan does not require directly facing the sun to function, however of course a more direct angle will be beneficial
• An ideal candidate triangle will usually be one that’s readily accessible via ladder
• Set up your long exterior ladder now, followed by an interior stand-up ladder for your partner

3. Stick It On

• Orient to the logo located on your fan’s top edge
• Your kit includes velcro strips. Begin by peeling off one side of the velcro and applying it to your solar fan along its upper edge, midway between the outer edge and the cavity leading to the fan blade itself. Then apply the same side of the next velcro strip to the opposite end of the fan so both strips are parallel
• Leave the plastic backing on the outward-facing parallel strip until you’re up the ladder and ready to mount your fan to the Dome itself
• Switch the fan off so it doesn’t hurt anyone (or itself) during installation
• Both partners should now climb their ladders, and the exterior partner can remove the backings and stick the solar fan in the centre of the chosen triangle, with the interior partner providing counter pressure and rubbing the velcro repeatedly to create a strong bond

4. Cut It Out

• The interior partner can now take scissors or an exacto knife and carefully cut through the layers of the dome and the outer cover in order to create an exhaust port the size of the solar fan’s round fan cavity (which should be easy to feel through the various layers)
• In particularly cold regions, it can be a good idea to cut only the majority of a circle (more of a U-shape) out of the various layers rather than cutting out and removing a full circle. The U-shaped tab can be tucked up and out of sight if insulation is a bigger factor than ventilation in the winter months
• The edge of the hole can be finished carefully with staples, clear tape, or a custom-cut circular trim piece if so desired (we’ll have these available soon, but jigsaws and thin plywood work great as an at-home solution!)
• Next up, run the cord of your solar fan down towards the ground, guiding it along struts and hubs until it reaches your desired position

5. Gluing Your Collar

• While the interior partner is working on the above, the exterior partner can climb down and retrieve the collar, glue, and paintbrush
• It is recommended to apply vinyl cement to both surfaces intended to be joined, allowing them to sit separately for a minute, and then joining them
• You’ll apply glue to the dome cover first, but before you do, prepare a work surface back on the ground for applying glue to your collar so it’s ready for you once you’re finished
• Look at your vinyl collar for an idea of how far you should apply glue beyond the boundary of the round-edged square (which represents the outer perimeter of the fan unit) – this will be a 2″ radius
• If it’s below 15ºC/60ºF, don’t remove your glue from indoors until just before using it. If cold or chilly temperatures are unavoidable, use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm the glue during the application and drying processes, where it can ensure easier spreadability during application and improve bonding once surfaces have been joined together
• Assuming your glue is now sufficiently warm, quickly apply a thin 2 inch perimeter of glue all the way around your solar fan (except the 10 inches along the bottom edge that won’t be covered by the collar)
• Return to the ground, and follow the guides indicated on the vinyl collar included with your kit, applying a thin layer of glue only outside of the round-edged square – this ensures ease of removal if your solar fan eventually requires maintenance or replacement
• The vinyl cement will begin to set in a matter of minutes, so ensure you apply your layers of glue as quickly as possible (and in a well-ventilated area)
• After both surfaces have been coated, carefully climb back up your ladder and stick the vinyl collar in place. Once again, have your interior partner apply counter pressure all the way around to ensure maximum adhesion

6. Celebrate!

• Your solar fan is weatherproof and ready to take on the world 🙂

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