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02-15-2018, 06:15 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
Kensington
, Maryland
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 554
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Not so fantastic fan replacement options
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.
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02-15-2018, 07:05 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1975 Argosy 28
Springville
, Alabama
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 836
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Look at the maxx air fans
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Matt
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02-15-2018, 07:36 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
2007 20' Safari SE
2005 19' Safari
Qualicum Beach
, British Columbia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,096
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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.
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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
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02-15-2018, 08:30 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2021 25' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Rhode Island
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,720
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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
__________________
Loving our 2021 Globetrotter 25 and our 2022 Ford F-150 King Ranch 5.0!!! Plenty of payload, not even close to axel limits and it drives and rows beautifully…
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02-15-2018, 08:55 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,351
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My original FF only lasted 21 years.
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02-16-2018, 12:25 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,378
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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.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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02-16-2018, 12:42 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
2007 20' Safari SE
2005 19' Safari
Qualicum Beach
, British Columbia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,096
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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.
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02-16-2018, 01:09 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,346
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MaxxAir fans are a big improvement: remote control, no closing in the rain, 10 speeds, travel with them open and quiet.
__________________
2014 25' Flying Cloud Rear Twin
2019 Ford Expedition Platinum
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02-16-2018, 01:18 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,378
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"They" meaning Fantastic Vent Co.
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.
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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.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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02-16-2018, 04:49 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Kensington
, Maryland
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 554
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The forum says >>> try harder. I get it.
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02-16-2018, 10:46 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,223
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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.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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02-16-2018, 10:51 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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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.
__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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02-16-2018, 12:14 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
1975 27' Overlander
Galena
, Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 172
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Fantastic Fans
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.
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02-16-2018, 01:07 PM
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#14
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,618
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Fantastic Vents was purchased by Dometic some time ago. Possibly things have changed.
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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02-16-2018, 01:29 PM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
2007 23' Safari SE
Annandale
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 448
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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.
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02-16-2018, 02:30 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
Kensington
, Maryland
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 554
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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.
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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?
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02-16-2018, 03:46 PM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
2004 22' Safari
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 374
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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
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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.
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02-16-2018, 03:51 PM
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#18
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4 Rivet Member
2004 22' Safari
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 374
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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.
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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...
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02-22-2018, 11:27 AM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
2013 25' FB Flying Cloud
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Orleans
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 26
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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?
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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.
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02-22-2018, 09:22 PM
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#20
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4 Rivet Member
2007 23' Safari SE
Annandale
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 448
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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?
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