Replacing Bath Exhaust fan

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by Titus

I had assumed that the plastic handle was molded onto the steel strips. But after reading your e-mail I went out to look again. Since the plastic handle was broken in the middle I was able to flex the steel strip away from the fan housing and see the screws you are talking about. I assume that you have to completely disassemble the fan (from the outside/top) to remove and replace the handle - correct? If so I think I'll see if I can fabricate a wooden handle - and remember to always use two hands to open/close with one hand on each side.

No not correct. I have a 90 degree screwdriver socket. It’s a little challenging but believe me - if I had to do this by disassembling the fan, I’d have never attempted it! [emoji3]

[csb333]

I had the exact same experience. The foam gasket somehow was loose and got wrapped around the fan. Once I remove the fan spins freely but the motor doesn’t work when I press the switch button. How did you resolve??

[Luckysnuck]

This occurred in my 2018 AIGT at about 6 months post purchase. I didn't use the fan after noticing to avoid it catching a fan blade. It was a "no-questions asked" warranty repair by my local Airstream Dealer

[Mwest12]

Same problem with 2018 tour. Replaced motor did not fix. There is a soldered inline fuse that blows on one of the fan wires. I have 4 extras, give me your address and I'll send u one [ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by Mwest12

Same problem with 2018 tour. Replaced motor did not fix. There is a soldered inline fuse that blows on one of the fan wires. I have 4 extras, give me your address and I'll send u one [ATTACH]Attachment 370774[/ATTACH]

What a generous offer Mwest12. People like you are what makes this forum so great.

[csb333]

Originally Posted by Mwest12

Same problem with 2018 tour. Replaced motor did not fix. There is a soldered inline fuse that blows on one of the fan wires. I have 4 extras, give me your address and I'll send u one [ATTACH]Attachment 370774[/ATTACH]

I cut out the fuse as the circuit is fused at 5A. All works fine. Do you see any need to add the additional hardwire fuse?

[Titus]

If I understand correctly, you need to remove the fan to get at the hard-wired fuse. Not very convenient. The picture by Mwest12 looks like a thermal cutout used on coffee makers, rather than a fuse that blows. It cuts out at a certain temperature (99 deg C) then resets when the temperature drops. I am not sure what purpose that would serve, but I assume that there must be some reason for it. On mine the bath vent fan, main roof fan, thermostat, furnace blower, and lounge reading lights are all on circuit 5, which has a 15A fuse. While there may be some merit in having the bath fan protected at 5A rather than 15A, having the 5A fuse so inaccessible seems to not be worthwhile.

[Mwest12]

I think the hardwired fuse blows when it reaches 99C thus protecting the small fan motor. It does not reset when it cools down.

[Hamlit]

I just saw the gasket get tangled on the motor shaft and turned the fan off immediately. I tried to loosen the two screws that look like they hold in the screen so I can retrieve the gasket, but they just seem to spin.

Am I missing something?

How do I retrieve the gasket that is blocking the fan?
Thanks…

[Titus]

I removed the cover of the fan from the top side. It is held by two screws that go into the metal bars that the handle is connected to. From the top I can see the back of the two screws that you can see from the bottom. These two screws go into with side of the cast aluminum(?) bracket that serves as the fan motor housing. There is no nut on the top side (they are screws, not bolts), and in looking at them I think it is unlikely that they would spin in the housing. You might try removing the top cover and have somebody watch from the top while you turn them from the bottom, to see if that is what is happening. If so, I don't think you'd have any choice but to remove the entire assembly.

[Hamlit]

Originally Posted by Titus

I removed the cover of the fan from the top side. It is held by two screws that go into the metal bars that the handle is connected to. From the top I can see the back of the two screws that you can see from the bottom. These two screws go into with side of the cast aluminum(?) bracket that serves as the fan motor housing. There is no nut on the top side (they are screws, not bolts), and in looking at them I think it is unlikely that they would spin in the housing. You might try removing the top cover and have somebody watch from the top while you turn them from the bottom, to see if that is what is happening. If so, I don't think you'd have any choice but to remove the entire assembly.

Thank you Titus! I will try to remove it from the top today. Is that gasket even worth replacing? I mean, if it completely came off, it probably hasn't been doing anything for a while.

[Titus]

I don't know what gasket you are referring to. If there is not a water leak without the gasket I would not bother replacing it.

[orlik]

Originally Posted by Hamlit

Thank you Titus! I will try to remove it from the top today. Is that gasket even worth replacing? I mean, if it completely came off, it probably hasn't been doing anything for a while.

Hamlit, I've got the same problem. Did you have any luck removing the gasket from the top? Thanks, in advance.

[Double J]

Thread bump. Both bathroom fans are not working on my 2010 flying cloud. Nothing seems to be obstructing the fans. Just won’t spin. One fan briefly spun for a few rotations slowly and now won’t anymore. Assuming motors are burnt out. Is it possible to replace just the motor and switch or will I most likely need to replace the entire unit like in the handy link above?

Thanks!