Visit our Popular Forums

FC7039 · 03-05-2012, 07:08 PM

I installed my Fantastic Fan this weekend. It went in pretty easy. All the instructions were adequate.

What I am disappointed in is that the thermostat only controls the fan and not the vent. The vent is either open or closed. I was thinking the vent opened when the thermostat decided and closed when not in use.

Also, it is louder than I expected.

overlander63 · 03-05-2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC7039

I installed my Fantastic Fan this weekend. It went in pretty easy. All the instructions were adequate.

What I am disappointed in is that the thermostat only controls the fan and not the vent. The vent is either open or closed. I was thinking the vent opened when the thermostat decided and closed when not in use.

Also, it is louder than I expected.

There is an alteration for the fan so the lid will open and close when the fan needs to go on and off.
Just nip off the wires to the up/down switch, and connect the lift motor wires to the thermostat.

SilverRanger · 03-05-2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC7039

... What I am disappointed in is that the thermostat only controls the fan and not the vent. The vent is either open or closed. I was thinking the vent opened when the thermostat decided and closed when not in use.

Also, it is louder than I expected.

I guess it depends on the model you get. Mine is thermostatically controlled, and I believe it also only shuts off the fan when a specified temperature is reached. When you I switch it off, it shuts off the fan and closes the vent, and it automatically shuts down when it rains, and opens up after it's dry. Later on, I did get the optional switch that reverses the air flow.

I've found that every appliance is kind of loud in a 19 ft. trailer. The Fantastic Fan seems much quieter than the AC and furnace.

idroba · 03-05-2012, 07:33 PM

I know I am going deaf, but still, on low speed, the Fantastic Fan I have is very quiet. It moves a lot of air, even on the lowest speed.

TBRich · 03-05-2012, 07:51 PM

Our Fantastic Vent does not close when the thermostat kicks off...it only opens or closes when we switch it on or off ... or if it rains while open... I have not found this to be a problem. In fact, I think if it were to open and close every time the thermostat switched the fan on or off it might possibly drive me nutz...the motor driving the vent lid would also wear out a lot sooner. We usually use our on low and don't find it to be very noisy at all.

Frank's Trailer Works · 03-05-2012, 09:03 PM

surprised by the disappointment. I cannot imagine not having it in my unit. I love the white noise it makes at night until the lid closes. That always wakes me up.

FC7039 · 03-05-2012, 09:25 PM

While my trailer sits in the sun, in my driveway, I was hoping the vent would open, vent theheat, then shut when the sun goes down. I will look into the wire switch suggestion. You can always pull the knob for manually leaving the vent open without the fan on/off. Right now the vent is open all the time. No rain yet to test the sensor.

I don't know, maybe I am being a little too picky, a couple hundred dollars, a lot of positive press here on the forums, maybe its like a good movie that is over hyped that when you are not overwhlmed, you feel disapointed even though the movie was good.

SilverRanger · 03-05-2012, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC7039

... Right now the vent is open all the time. No rain yet to test the sensor...

It took me the longest time to trust the rain sensor, until I was in the AS one day when it started to rain. It shut down really quick that day, and has never failed. I was sold on the FF. The next time my rear vent cover disintegrates (I'm already on my third one in six years), I plan to replace it with another FF.

Mexray · 03-05-2012, 10:07 PM

FC...

I don't see Fantastic Fans literature mentioning that the thermostat will trigger the opening and closing of the cover...did someone lead you to believe that was the case?

If you think about it, if the fan operated in that manner, it would constantly be opening and closing, as the fan did it's job to provide air movement and cooling - depending on how the thermostat knob is set...probably decreasing the 'life' of the motor/gears, etc - it's just not designed to operate in that manner...

I use our thermostat controlled FF all the time, and it can cycle the fan on-off many times in late afternoon when the temps outside are changing...

As to the noise factor - you're moving lots of air with a FF, and that by nature will elevate the noise level...Those small biscuit fans in your computer are real quiet, but they don't move near the volume of air that a FF does!...I think you'll find its like many things, once you use it for awhile, you'll probably hardly even notice it...

We've got three of em' in our AS - the one thermostat unit is in the rear and we can open the one up front to move some air when we're not there without having to open a window for security reasons...when we do crack a couple of windows open, and turn on those fans, it moves LOTS of cooling air into and through the interior....

JBinKC · 03-06-2012, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverRanger

It took me the longest time to trust the rain sensor, until I was in the AS one day when it started to rain. It shut down really quick that day, and has never failed. I was sold on the FF. The next time my rear vent cover disintegrates (I'm already on my third one in six years), I plan to replace it with another FF.

I'm adding a third FF to the bathroom to replace the original fan but haven't settled on the model yet. One thing for sure, I'll get the rain sensor. The first time it rained on our camper while we were away with both FFs open, I returned to find them closed. I thanked my wife for saving us from a soggy bed by closing the vents. She said, "Vents?"

overlander63 · 03-06-2012, 05:02 AM

I can't say for sure when it will happen, but look for a factory solution to the lid opening and closing in the near future.

ROBERT CROSS · 03-06-2012, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverRanger

It took me the longest time to trust the rain sensor, until I was in the AS one day when it started to rain. It shut down really quick that day, and has never failed. I was sold on the FF. The next time my rear vent cover disintegrates (I'm already on my third one in six years), I plan to replace it with another FF.

POI...when up on the roof for Spring make ready, wipe off the grid for the rain sensor, ask me how I know.

If you have ANY concerns with the unit contact the Company, they have outstanding customer service. They replaced a 5 rear old cracked lid NC, no questions asked.

Bob

SuperTrouper · 10-21-2014, 09:53 AM

Hi Everyone. I know that there was some trepidation about FF being bought by Atwood and therefore declining customer service but I wanted you to know that I contacted FF to replace my motor case (part that holds the lid motor and manual crank) and they sent me two replacements via post no charge last week. Yea Fantastic Fan and Fantastic customer service! My fans are 6 years old.

daveswenson · 10-21-2014, 10:39 AM

A couple of years ago, Airstream Life had a Tech article on how to modify your FF to open and close with the thermostat. I can't find it right now, but maybe someone has a link to it.