Loud range hood fan

[lbrodsky]

By now, Safari owners are probably hard of hearing if they use the fan over the propane range for any period of time. Airstream chose to provide us with a cheap, one-speed (i.e. LOUD) fan. However, there is a way to cut back on the noise. Contact the range hood manufacturer, Ventline, in Bristol, IN, (219) 848-4491. For about $20, they will send you a wiring kit to convert the fan from its single speed to two speed operation. Good instructions are included to remove, re-wire and replace the rotary switch. You also will be adding a resistor into the switch circuit. The slower fan speed is substantially quieter. The trade off is that you must now use the fan in combination with the light. There will no longer be a fan-only switch setting after you modify the switch wiring.

Lew Brodsky
Springfield, VA
WBCCI #2585

[Pahaska]

There is a better way if you feel you can tackle a minor rewiring job.

I bought two 5-ohm power resistors (you can get them at Radio Shack or any electronic supply). I put one resistor permanently in series with the fan motor and wired the other resistor across the light switch on the hood so that I have either 5 or 10 ohms in series with the motor depending the setting of what was the hood lght switch. I now have 2 fan speeds, one slightly slower and quieter than the original speed and the other speed slower yet and very quiet. The higher speed moves just as much air now as it did before since the fan is not cavetating.

My light is now wired to the adjacent under-cabinet light so that the switch on that light turns on the hood light in addition to the under-cabinet light. I usually turned both lights on at night anyway.

My total cost was in the neighborhood of $1.00.

[jcanavera]

Lew & John,
Thanks for the information. It's interesting that this is such a little thing that has minimal impact upon price, yet creates a negative impression upon a new owner. Probably this is something that needs to get forwarded to A/S as a product improvement.

I tend not to use my fan because of the racket it creates.

Jack

[Pahaska]

This is the third trailer vent hood that I have modified. I found the idea in Trailer Life about 10 years ago, so others have had the same problem long before us.

The noisy hood is completely out of character with the rest of an Airstream.

[gwsullivan]

I took John Irwin's recommendation and added a 10 ohm resister to the hot lead on the fan. It is now quiet enough to talk over and there is enough airflow to open the flap. Cost $1.00 Thanks John.

[Bob Thompson]

I too, took Johns advice and installed a 1/2 watt 10 Ohm resistor in the range hood fan hot wire on my Award travel trailer. Worked great. Thanks John. When I finally decide which Airstream will replace the Award, you can bet the fan will get the same treatment. My wife is delighted!