Hi,
All's well after having some trouble with my 1998 original equipment Fantastic Vent. Not expecting anything other than maybe some advice, I went to the company's web site and used their 'Ask A Question?' feature to descibe my problem. Their response was prompt, they provided needed parts and change-out instructions and it didn't cost me a dime. Remember this is on a 10 year old product. I'm impressed.
Walt
Email dialog with them:
In a message dated 9/26/2008 10:24:30 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, XlsWalt writes:
Hi Jeff,
The parts arrived on Wednesday and I installed them yesterday. The install went well, though I was a bit confused with the part about "If equipped with a rain sensor, unscrew it on top of fan and partially feed through the T-slot". I couldn't make it out so I didn't, but there was enough room to make the changes needed. Another minor anomaly was that the 3" screw would not self start, I did have to drill a 1/8" starter hole in the main base for it.
Thanks again for your help. After several test cycles, I can see the unit now functions very well.
Best Regards,
Walt Weber
xlsWalt@aol.com
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In a message dated 9/17/2008 10:09:40 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, XlsWalt writes:
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the clarification, I look forward to getting the job done.
Best Regards,
Walt Weber
xlsWalt@aol.com
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In a message dated 9/17/2008 9:58:47 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
jeffat1@fantasticvent.com writes:
HI WALT,
YES, YOU WILL NEED TO USE THE 3" SCREW. I WILL TRY TO EXPLAIN THIS AS BEST I CAN. SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK!!
THE RECTANGULAR DOME LIFT MOTOR THAT YOU HAVE IS OBSOLETE. WE HAVE A NEW STYLE DOME LIFT MOTOR. WHAT WE HAD TO DO WAS MAKE A RETROFIT MOTOR WITH A CAP THAT WOULD COVER THAT RECTANGULAR CUT OUT IN THE SCREEN. ON THE OLD MOTOR WE HAD 2 PLASTIC PEGS ON THE BACK OF THE MOTOR. THESE TWO PEGS PRESSED AGAINST THE TOP OF THE MAIN BASE TO GIVE IT STABILITY. ON THE NEW MOTORS THERE ARE NO PEGS FOR STABILITY. SO WE USE THE 3" SCREW TO PROVIDE STABILITY. THIS SCREW WILL GO THROUGH THE EAR OF THE LIFT MOTOR ON THE SIDE WITH NO SCREW BOSS COMING DOWN FROM THE MAIN BASE. START A PILOT HOLE IN THE SCREEN AND RUN THE SCREW UP INTO THE MAIN BASE. JUST GET THE SCREW STARTED IN THE MAIN BASE AND FINISH IT OFF WITH A HAND SCREW DRIVER. SCREW IT IN UNTIL IT IS FLUSH WITH THE EAR. WE DON'T WANT THE MOTOR TO BIND AND STRIP AGAIN. I HOPE THIS HELPS, IF NOT LET ME KNOW.
JEFF
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XlsWalt@aol.com wrote:
Hi Jeff,
I've read through the attachments you sent. The 3" screw change described in 'TRBSHT5Model(1)-3INSCREWATMTR.pdf' and 'Lift-Arm&MotorSwap.pdf' (Page 2) seems to relate only to those units without a knob. Mine does have a knob as shown in '6000RBTA_BC_Layout1(1).pdf'. Will mine require the 3" screw change?
Thanks again for your help.
Best Regards,
Walt Weber
xlsWalt@aol.com
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In a message dated 9/17/2008 8:59:19 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
jeffat1@fantasticvent.com writes:
HELLO AGAIN WALT,
DON'T WORRY, THIS IS NOT VERY COMPLICATED. I WILL INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS PROCEDURE. I AM ALSO AVAILABLE BY PHONE TO HELP YOU THROUGH THIS. OUR NUMBER IS 1-800-521-0298. I WON'T LEAVE YOU HANGING OUT TO DRY, I PROMISE!!! I WOULD BE HAPPY TO HELP IN ANY WAY. YOUR PARTS ARE LEAVING TODAY AND SHOULD BE ARRIVING TO YOU IN 5 TO 6 BUSINESS DAY'S. THEY WILL COME AT NO CHARGE TO YOU. I AM SENDING INSTRUCTIONS VIA EMAIL AND WILL INCLUDE THEM IN THE PACKAGE.
THANK YOU,
JEFF ATWELL
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XlsWalt@aol.com wrote:
Hi Jeff,
The trailer is a 1998 Airstream Excella 1000 30' model. The lift motor part is more rectangular and the auto/manual operation is the thumb slide type. The unit does have the rain sensor, in case that makes any difference in what I need.
Jeff, I'm only marginally competent at this kind of thing. Can you send me very clear instructions as to what I need to do to fix this.
Thanks so much!
Best Regards,
Walt Weber
xlsWalt@aol.com
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In a message dated 9/17/2008 8:05:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
jeffat1@fantasticvent.com writes:
GOOD MORNING WALT,
I WILL SEND YOU OUT A NEW DOME LIFT ASSEMBLY AT NO CHARGE. IS YOUR DOME LIFT MOTOR PEAR OR EGG SHAPED WITH A KNOB THAT YOU PUSH OR PULL FOR AUTO TO MANUAL OPERATION? OR IS IT MORE RECTANGULAR WITH A THUMB SLIDE FOR AUTO/MANUAL OPERATION? WHAT IS THE YEAR OF YOUR RV?
WALT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO I CAN GET YOUR PARTS OUT RIGHT AWAY!!!
THANK YOU,
JEFF ATWELL
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-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Ask A Question?
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:15:29 EDT
From:
XlsWalt@aol.com
To:
shelley@fantasticvent.com
Hi,
When my Fantastic vent in rear bedroom of my Airstream closes using the motor, it seems to be fully closed but the motor doesn't stop and I'm afraid where the lifting shaft enters the motor shaft is being stripped of it's teeth. One of the small screws that holds the motor in place has been stripped by the downward force of the shafts separating. I can replace the small screw with something a bit larger diameter. Is there some adjustment I can make at the motor to have it stop when the lid is closed?
Best Regards,
Walt Weber
xlsWalt@aol.com
Hi, on my 2005 Safari the Fantastic Vent lid would stick closed; I E-mailed their customer service department asking for what I should do to prevent this from happening. I tried differrent lubes, but the lid still stuck when sitting for long periods of non use. Fantastic Vent sent to me a new lift gear and lift motor assembly. Also some special lube for the rubber seal. Next I asked them about my fan motor making noise; They told me to run the fan motor in reverse at times and the noise should go away. "I can't reverse my fan, it only turns one way." They sent to me a kit to make my fan motor blow out or in. Sometime later I E-mailed to them again to tell them that my fan motor still makes noise. Fantastic Vent sent to me a new fan motor with mounting bracket and fan blade. Now everything works perfect. Note: Fantastic Vent Co. sent all parts to me for free and all parts were sent after my warranty was expired. I have never in my life received service like this and I'm pretty old. 
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