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Too tall · 02-15-2018, 06:15 PM

2017 FC 25'

I've struggled with these fans. When they work, it's great. Sometimes they work

Despite adding aftermarket vent covers the humidity sensors are still problematic. Also, the thermostats are finicky. In a work moretroublethantheyarementtobe!

What are my options for replacement. I'd like to be done with the janky electronics. What's the best option for replacement even if it is simply a retrofit.

rugjenkins · 02-15-2018, 07:05 PM

Look at the maxx air fans

gandttimes · 02-15-2018, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Too tall

2017 FC 25'

I've struggled with these fans. When they work, it's great. Sometimes they work

Despite adding aftermarket vent covers the humidity sensors are still problematic. Also, the thermostats are finicky. In a work moretroublethantheyarementtobe!

What are my options for replacement. I'd like to be done with the janky electronics. What's the best option for replacement even if it is simply a retrofit.

You are aware that FF does not have "humidity" sensors. They are rain sensors and if the lid is open and exposed to rain then they will close and if they are on automatic then they will open again when the rain stops.
I put covers on ours to stop constant opening and closing in intermittent rain.

George

Bruce B · 02-15-2018, 08:30 PM

Funny, in some six years of use, all we have done is clean ours. It works perfectly all of the time. Didn’t the company sell recently? Perhaps the new fans are not the same??? Ours is running in the background as I write this, a steady reliable fan...
Bruce

CRH · 02-15-2018, 08:55 PM

My original FF only lasted 21 years.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 02-16-2018, 12:25 AM

Hi, I love my Fantastic Vent. It had some problems that showed up way after warranty. [like 5 years out of warranty] Fantastic sent replacement parts to me at no cost what-so-ever.

gandttimes · 02-16-2018, 12:42 AM

I forgot to add that when I wanted to have the reversal options for both fans, FF sent me the parts free of charge. Great feature.

Wayne&Sam · 02-16-2018, 01:09 AM

MaxxAir fans are a big improvement: remote control, no closing in the rain, 10 speeds, travel with them open and quiet.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 02-16-2018, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, I love my Fantastic Vent. It had some problems that showed up way after warranty. [like 5 years out of warranty] Fantastic sent replacement parts to me at no cost what-so-ever.

Hi, My vent fan was noisy. They told me to run the fan in reverse for a while and this might make it better. I don't have a reverse on mine. They sent me a reverse kit for free. Noise didn't go away. They sent me a complete motor assembly for free. This fixed the noise concern.

My lift motor went bad. They sent me a new lift motor and lift arm assembly for free.

My circuit board burned up. They sent me a new circuit board for free.

Too tall · 02-16-2018, 04:49 AM

The forum says >>> try harder. I get it.

switz · 02-16-2018, 10:46 AM

Retrofitted the Maxxfan 7000K in in both locations in the 23D and one in the Classic. One remote can be used to control both Maxxfans in the 23D.

I like the fact there is not a big shroud sticking up all of the time with the Maxxfan installations.

Foiled Again · 02-16-2018, 10:51 AM

I have always been happy with my fantastic fans, especially like the remote control... handy when I wake up and don't want a/c but do want fresh air.

All that being said, I can't recall anyone wbo has switched to maxx and regretted it.

75Bob · 02-16-2018, 12:14 PM

I had 3 Fantastic fans installed in 2016. By the end of the summer, one was making a lot of noise. I took it back and was told, it was under warranty. I said all it needs is a new motor. They said Fantastic fan won"t send only the part. They would only replace it. Sooo OK, replace it then. And they did, free of charge. I walked away saying "that was weird". They did mention the business changing hands. I can"t believe all these other people saying they got parts!! How bizarre. Or does this just happen to me? Happy Trails anyway.

**azflycaster** · 02-16-2018, 01:07 PM

Fantastic Vents was purchased by Dometic some time ago. Possibly things have changed.

Fred L · 02-16-2018, 01:29 PM

I am with Switz on this one. Have a Fantastic fan that works ok.
But with a rain sensor, was not what I needed, so put the shroud over top.
Was surprised as to how tall it was.

Replacing the forward vent this spring with a low profile MaxxFan Deluxe that works in the rain.

Too tall · 02-16-2018, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred L

I am with Switz on this one. Have a Fantastic fan that works ok.
But with a rain sensor, was not what I needed, so put the shroud over top.
Was surprised as to how tall it was.

Replacing the forward vent this spring with a low profile MaxxFan Deluxe that works in the rain.

That's the ticket. I've got a project now.

Look, I'm aware it has a rain sensor. My working was intentionally tongue in cheek because the rain sensor is quite imperfect and acts more like a high humidity sensor. The sensor does work as intended if you keep it clean...for rain. When the interior humidity is high the sensor malfunctions dot period. No fun.

I like the MaxxFan Deluxe take on this because it works with a built in rain guard so no need for a sensor.

Who has retrofitted one of these into a modern AS? Anything I should watch out for?

Silver.Sanctuary · 02-16-2018, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce B

Funny, in some six years of use, all we have done is clean ours. It works perfectly all of the time. Didn’t the company sell recently? Perhaps the new fans are not the same??? Ours is running in the background as I write this, a steady reliable fan...
Bruce

I think Dometic bought them. It reminds me of the AMF purchasee of numerous companies (including Harley Davidson) that all went down the tubes after new management took over. It would be easy for the new owners to ruin the FF, but it would be hard to maintain the excellent reputation.

Silver.Sanctuary · 02-16-2018, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

MaxxAir fans are a big improvement: remote control, no closing in the rain, 10 speeds, travel with them open and quiet.

You have to pay attention to the model number. I bought a FF 7350 two years ago and it has all of those features, although I wouldn't travel with it open unless it had the upper rain guard like I have seen on Maxx fans.

I think Shur-flo had the best fan, and I can't imagine why they got out of the fan business...

Bryker · 02-22-2018, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Too tall

That's the ticket. I've got a project now.

Look, I'm aware it has a rain sensor. My working was intentionally tongue in cheek because the rain sensor is quite imperfect and acts more like a high humidity sensor. The sensor does work as intended if you keep it clean...for rain. When the interior humidity is high the sensor malfunctions dot period. No fun.

I like the MaxxFan Deluxe take on this because it works with a built in rain guard so no need for a sensor.

Who has retrofitted one of these into a modern AS? Anything I should watch out for?

I had 2 Maxxfan delux installed on my 2013 25FC by a non-airstream dealer. They had no issues. I loved the fans so much I had them installed on my 2017 27FC last fall by an airstream dealer. I watched them do it and it was an easy out with the FF in with the Maxxfan. No issues at all.

Fred L · 02-22-2018, 09:22 PM

Bryker, I asked this on another thread and haven't really seen a definitive answer, but am thinking of replacing my front vent with a maxxfan deluxe and it "sounds" like the forward vent is already wired for a fan? did you happen to catch if that was how they found power for the fan?

I read some place else that you can connect into the ceiling lights, but to my thinking, that would make the fan dependent on the light switch?