Fantastic fan lid has stopped working

[gnijman]

Our AS is brand new - built in June 2015. It has two Fantastic Fans. On the rear fan when the vent lid reached full open (or full shut) the motor would continue to whir away and would not stop automatically. If I touched the motor's knob it added a bit of resistance and it stopped. Then quickly it started only opening part way and stopping there then it wouldn't open at all - the motor just whirred away but the lid did not move. So we ceased using it and relied on the other fan which works fine.

I know from reading other threads that the lid motor is supposed to stop when the lid reaches full open or full closed or the lid encounters an obstacle e.g. a vent hood that is too low (I don't yet have vent hoods).

The fan will spin but the lid won't go up. The fuse is intact.

Any one know what's wrong? Perhaps the motor's lid lift gears were defective? Is this going to need a replacement of the whole unit or will it be possible just to replace the motor box and gearing. I know this will be a warranty repair but since I'm going to have to get a local dealer do it and submit my receipts to my AS dealer for warranty reimbursement I'd like to get a sense of what kind of repair they are going to have to do.

[Newmarketca]

Subscribed - I have the same out of control whirling on one of my fantastic fans. Will have the dealer check it out in two weeks.

Mike

[CRH]

Sounds like a stripped lift gear....happened to mine recently.

[ArlinV]

Or perhaps the knob for opening it manually is not fully engaged for automatic operation. Have you tried pushing it up until it "locks" in place? If not fully engaged it can act as you describe. It needs to be pulled down fully for manual operation. Anything in between will allow it to act as if the gears are stripped.
Have you tried opening it manually?

[cegardner]

we had a problem with ours 2015 FC. we called tech support at fantastic fan. very helpful. not related to your issues but they have changed the operation of the fan. it will jot reopen after it closes due to rain. they changed this to prevent the batteries use when boobdocking. like i said notcrelated to sour problem. you may want to call tech support before the dealer visit. i had to let the dealer know of the changes cthey were not aware

[aftermath]

"boobdocking"?

Sounds like fun.

[moxie t. moto]

2015 27ft. international signature. fron fan has same problem
wont open --- will open ---shuts and opens on its own . does what it wants when it wants.
don't really know if the knob pulls down or not . tried it but didn't want to break it so don't know if it does or not. seems to be the same problem as what everyone else is having.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by aftermath

"boobdocking"?

Sounds like fun.

ooops

[WestieHouse]

Yeah, ya gotta love spell chicking!
D2

[Larry C]

Call Atwood, they own Fantastic vents, and should be able to resolve these problems pretty quickly.

Larry

[Rossco57]

Remove the fan motor. There is a part number on the fan motor. Google that part number and you will be directed to a link that has the proper part(s) you need. Cheap and simple.

[gnijman]

Originally Posted by ArlinV

Or perhaps the knob for opening it manually is not fully engaged for automatic operation. Have you tried pushing it up until it "locks" in place? If not fully engaged it can act as you describe. It needs to be pulled down fully for manual operation. Anything in between will allow it to act as if the gears are stripped.
Have you tried opening it manually?

The one knob does not pull out or push in. It's fixed. On both units. The knob spins around when the motor runs in its futile attempt to open the lid. I will call manufacturer support.

[jbxx]

I tried pulling down on the control knob on both my fans and all it did was strip the attachment screws and pull the whole motor unit down. repaired with epoxy but I don't think my fans have a manual door opening setting.
14 23' FB FC.
J.B.

[phann]

I read elsewhere that older FF required a pull down to engage manual mode. Newer models dont require this.

[2dabeach]

Originally Posted by Newmarketca

Subscribed - I have the same out of control whirling on one of my fantastic fans. Will have the dealer check it out in two weeks.

Mike

The lifting device knob on the new model fans do not disengage by pulling them down. If you want to manually open or close the fan you turn the knob and you can feel the resistance of the gears and motor as you move the lid. Call Fantastic. There service folks are great and will walk you through what has to be done and will send you the replacement parts and you can fix it without going to a dealer.

[gnijman]

I called the 1-800 number for Fantastic Fan, told them my problem (motor just whirrs away without lifting lid) and they said immediately that they've had this before, the motor is shot, and they would send me a replacement right away. They said it's simple to replace - 2 screws, two wire connectors. I'm supposed to receive it next week. Friendly and speedy service.

I now have to confirm with my dealer that my doing the install (instead of a RV repair place) won't mess with my AS warranty on the fan going forward.

Will keep you posted.