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10-31-2012, 04:22 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master 
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Fantastic fan broke... Thoughts?
I had left the cover of my Fantastic Fan open a couple of inches to let the heat out, but we were expecting rain so I went to shut it. Its a manual close unit.
As I turned the handwheel the top kinda juddered and the slammed shut.
I thought it felt odd, so I tried to open it again, but nothing.
Finally found time to get up on the roof.
You can lift the lid now with no resistance, and looks like something broke on the lift arm, or the pivot fell out.
Fixable?
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10-31-2012, 05:01 AM
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#2
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Replace it with a MaxxAir fan with a built-in rain hood.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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10-31-2012, 05:22 AM
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#3
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Call Fantastic t 810-724-3818, tell them your lift arm broke. They will send you a replacement, usually for nothing more than the cost of postage.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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10-31-2012, 06:08 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
Call Fantastic t 810-724-3818, tell them your lift arm broke. They will send you a replacement, usually for nothing more than the cost of postage.
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So true! Fantastic Fan has excellent customer service. Don't be surprised if they get the part to you last week. They are just that good. 
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10-31-2012, 06:14 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,080
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by overlander63
Call Fantastic t 810-724-3818, tell them your lift arm broke. They will send you a replacement, usually for nothing more than the cost of postage.
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Ditto.
They sent us a complete, new install kit, no charge whatsoever.
Mggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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10-31-2012, 06:27 AM
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#6
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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FF Service...
The pin worked it's way loose on ours after 5 Seasons.
An emergency campground repair using a small machine screw & nut with Loctite solved the problem.
After contacting FF to let them know of my concern, (no mention of a replacement, as the repair had already been made), a new updated arm assembly was in our mailbox a day later.....no charge.
They also had previously replaced a cracked cover after three years because of improper hinge install....no charge.
Bob
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10-31-2012, 07:12 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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I had similar story on my SOB. Motor assembly quit (lift motor) after several seasons. Pieces arrived N/C.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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10-31-2012, 10:37 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Awesome info, thanks Peeps!
I have no idea which model it is because despite my thought to do so, I didn't photograph the label up top.. 
Am I correct in saying I have to take the vent off the roof to access the broken part?
I am asking because I better order a new gasket if I do.
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10-31-2012, 11:18 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1974 31' Excella 500
Charleston
, South Carolina
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,073
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Protagonist
Replace it with a MaxxAir fan with a built-in rain hood.
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Ditto
__________________
As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.
- Andrew Carnegie
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10-31-2012, 11:46 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Protagonist
Replace it with a MaxxAir fan with a built-in rain hood.
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I wish I had the money!!!
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10-31-2012, 12:07 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keyair
Awesome info, thanks Peeps!
I have no idea which model it is because despite my thought to do so, I didn't photograph the label up top..
Am I correct in saying I have to take the vent off the roof to access the broken part?
I am asking because I better order a new gasket if I do. |
No, I don't think so. From inside the AS, take the screws out that hold in the fan assembly (not the surround). The whole thing will hang from the wires (support them with a coat hanger or the like) and you can work on the mechanism from there.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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10-31-2012, 12:10 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Actually, upon further review, the ruling on the field may not stand. Does your manual knob fit into a sub-assembly which screws into the bottom (inside) of the fan? If so, I think you can reattach the lift arm (or replace with new parts) by just removing the 2 screws there.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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11-01-2012, 09:01 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Fixed it!
Awesome info peeps!
Dznfog, your info was spot on...
I removed the inner raise handle, and then the 4 screws holding the trim panel, and let it hang down.
Instantly, I could see the roll pin was pushed off to the side...
I removed the assembly..
Lift mechanism with pin out of place!
It seemed a little loose, so I tweeked the roll pin open a little with a flat screwdriver, to make it a tighter fit.
Put it in position on the arm and pinched the pin back thru with pliers.
And put it back in position.
Fixed!
just missing a couple of screws...
As always, great info and I thank everyone for the input!
Reassembled it all, and
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11-02-2012, 02:42 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2005 19' Safari
GLENDALE
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,453
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It might be easier to just replace the bug screen. The new ones don't have screws and just snap into place. Also, the new, round plastic ring covers up the old (empty) screw holes.
I think the screen is only about $10-15 at most RV parts places.
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11-02-2012, 03:45 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2021 25' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Rhode Island
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,720
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Why do people recommend something like Maxxair when Fantatsic Fan is clearly such a great company to deal with?
Fantastic Fans are made in the USA, they are original equipment, they obviously stand behind their product forever. What more can you ask for? I wanted a switch for my FF so I called, Bam, there it was! Not even a warranty issue and no charge.....
I have no issue with Maxxair, I don't know anything about them. Made in US, China, Mexico? Two year warranty instead of lifetime?
I'm just kind of curious....
Bruce
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11-02-2012, 05:41 AM
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#16
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce B
Why do people recommend something like Maxxair when Fantatsic Fan is clearly such a great company to deal with?
Fantastic Fans are made in the USA, they are original equipment, they obviously stand behind their product forever. What more can you ask for? I wanted a switch for my FF so I called, Bam, there it was! Not even a warranty issue and no charge.....
I have no issue with Maxxair, I don't know anything about them. Made in US, China, Mexico? Two year warranty instead of lifetime?
I'm just kind of curious....
Bruce
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I don't know that much about Maxx-Aire, though I have had 3 of them come through the shop broken on 2.5 year old Interstates. Strangely enough, they were all broken lift mechanisms, all had been left open while driving, which is what Maxx-Aire says you can do. All 3 had to be replaced at the customers expense because they were out of warranty. Several hundred dollars to replace the entire thing versus free to replace a small part on a Fantastic when the same part of the systems break...
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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11-02-2012, 05:51 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,343
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I prefer MaxxAir because it keep open and running even in the rain. I like the fantastic fan but the slightest rain or even morning dew would make it close.
__________________
2014 25' Flying Cloud Rear Twin
2019 Ford Expedition Platinum
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11-02-2012, 05:57 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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For now, I am just happy that the fix was free, and did not involve more than a few screws!
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11-02-2012, 06:57 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam
I prefer MaxxAir because it keep open and running even in the rain. I like the fantastic fan but the slightest rain or even morning dew would make it close.
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All you have to do is buy a FF model without the auto close feature...cheaper too.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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11-03-2012, 01:03 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,343
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You would also have to add the cover to keep the rain outcc
__________________
2014 25' Flying Cloud Rear Twin
2019 Ford Expedition Platinum
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