Fantastic Fan Vent Rain Covers

[STREMN]

Fantastic Fan Vent Rain Covers

We're interested to hear your real life experiences using "Rain Vent Covers" on your Fantastic Fans.

What are your experiences with:
Color Choice - Light - Dark - Smoke (If you could do it over?)
Functionality - Does it do what you expect
Noise - Storm, or Wind issues.
Durability (UV) - Does it hold up over time

Nothing can come close to the real world knowledge and experience here on Air Forums. We appreciate you taking the time to share thoughts of how your "Vent Rain Covers" have worked out for you!

Tom - S/OS #025

"Rain Vent Covers" for powered RV Vents have been around for more than a decade. Their evolution is represented in current production of the "Ultra Breeze Cover" by Fantastic Vent with an alternative known as the "MaxxAir II Vent Cover" by Airxcel. Pricing $$ is similar for both units, both offer an "optional" $$ bug screen. They are both available in white, black or smoke finishes.

Clearly the "Ultra Breeze" is built for the Fantastic Fans, but the MaxxAir II will also work with our fans although full opening of the fan cover maybe slightly limited, it's functional. It's good to have options...

Looking back at old "Vent Cover" threads they mainly discuss Installation and Function of lid opening height. Interesting Fantastic Fan Video from 2012 demonstrating air flow with different covers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1fhkbl_1yQ

[Biker]

I've installed the ultrabreeze covers on my previous trailers. Easy install. I had the smoke color and would do the same on my new trailer if I decide to get a cover. In my experience these covers so not keep the rain from triggering the rain sensors if your fans have them.

[STREMN]

Originally Posted by Biker

I've installed the ultrabreeze covers on my previous trailers. Easy install. I had the smoke color and would do the same on my new trailer if I decide to get a cover. In my experience these covers so not keep the rain from triggering the rain sensors if your fans have them.

Thanks James!

Good point on the rain sensors. I know the sensors can be disabled.

How did the color affect the amount of light entering the vent area? One concern for us would be the amount of light in the bedroom.

Tom - S/OS #025

[Fox-trot]

Following :-). I am curious about the light question as well!

[Biker]

I really don't remember a significant difference in light through the lid but it has been a while since I had them. I would think the smoke would let more light in since it is translucent and the others are solid colors (I think). Hopefully someone who currently has them will chime in.

[VeloBuckeye]

I installed these 2 years ago. Here are my comments:

What are your experiences with:
Color Choice - Light - Dark - Smoke (If you could do it over?)
-- I installed white to match most of the roof items and coating. The white allows light to come in which I liked most of the time. I use vent opening covers on the ceiling side of the fan, so I have light blocking when I want it.

Functionality - Does it do what you expect
-- In general Yes. It is nice to tow with the vents open. They do stop the fan lid from fully opening, but this didn't seem to effect air flow.

Noise - Storm, or Wind issues.
-- None

Durability (UV) - Does it hold up over time
-- After 2 years they looked and worked great


However, last year I removed them and the fans and installed the MaxxAir Deluxe fans. Pricey fans, but I feel they are a bit quieter than the stock Fantastic fans. The real plus is how the lid and cover are one integrated setup. Basically, it just looks better and more streamlined IMO. My spouse actually commented that she didn't realize how much she didn't like the taller profile of the fan covers until they were removed and the MaxxAir fans were installed. So keep in mind that the covers will visibly be more "noticeable" on top of your AS, if that is an issue for you.

[Fungus]

Originally Posted by VeloBuckeye

However, last year I removed them and the fans and installed the MaxxAir Deluxe fans. Pricey fans, but I feel they are a bit quieter than the stock Fantastic fans. The real plus is how the lid and cover are one integrated setup. Basically, it just looks better and more streamlined IMO. My spouse actually commented that she didn't realize how much she didn't like the taller profile of the fan covers until they were removed and the MaxxAir fans were installed. So keep in mind that the covers will visibly be more "noticeable" on top of your AS, if that is an issue for you.

Photos please. Inside and out.

I installed the covers because of bees getting trapped against the screen. Does the MaxxAir allow that? In other words, can bees get trapped in the blades of the fan?

[STREMN]

Originally Posted by Biker

I really don't remember a significant difference in light through the lid but it has been a while since I had them. I would think the smoke would let more light in since it is translucent and the others are solid colors (I think). Hopefully someone who currently has them will chime in.

Thanks again for the reply James!

Originally Posted by VeloBuckeye

I installed these 2 years ago. Here are my comments:

What are your experiences with:
Color Choice - Light - Dark - Smoke (If you could do it over?)
-- I installed white to match most of the roof items and coating. The white allows light to come in which I liked most of the time. I use vent opening covers on the ceiling side of the fan, so I have light blocking when I want it.

Functionality - Does it do what you expect
-- In general Yes. It is nice to tow with the vents open. They do stop the fan lid from fully opening, but this didn't seem to effect air flow.

Noise - Storm, or Wind issues.
-- None

Durability (UV) - Does it hold up over time
-- After 2 years they looked and worked great


However, last year I removed them and the fans and installed the MaxxAir Deluxe fans. Pricey fans, but I feel they are a bit quieter than the stock Fantastic fans. The real plus is how the lid and cover are one integrated setup. Basically, it just looks better and more streamlined IMO. My spouse actually commented that she didn't realize how much she didn't like the taller profile of the fan covers until they were removed and the MaxxAir fans were installed. So keep in mind that the covers will visibly be more "noticeable" on top of your AS, if that is an issue for you.

VeloBuckeye - I appreciate your feedback and thoughts on the rain covers.

We're using a DIY manual light blocker for the bedroom fan now...it would be nice to do away with it. My thoughts are to get something in white to match the exterior color...maybe spray paint the interior of the cover with black to help darken the interior. If all else fails we can just go back to the DIY light blocker.

Tom - S/OS #025

[VeloBuckeye]

Fungus, unfortunately the AS is in indoor heated storage for the winter so I can take an inside picture. The MaxxAir fans do have a bug screen and I've not had a problem with bugs entering the fan blade area. Attached is an outside picture with fans open.

[VeloBuckeye]

Originally Posted by STREMN

Thanks again for the reply James!



VeloBuckeye - I appreciate your feedback and thoughts on the rain covers.

We're using a DIY manual light blocker for the bedroom fan now...it would be nice to do away with it. My thoughts are to get something in white to match the exterior color...maybe spray paint the interior of the cover with black to help darken the interior. If all else fails we can just go back to the DIY light blocker.

Tom - S/OS #025

Tom, if you get tired of your DIY light blocker, these are the ones I installed. Look great and work perfectly.

VanEssential Magnetic Insulated Roof Vent Sun Cover for MaxxAir Fan, Fantastic Fan - Olive Gray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087YYVBXY...AMR3XVZ0YYRKNN

[OrangeCrush]

We got these for keeping light out and adding some insulation. They just press fit in.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Insulat...%2C110&sr=8-20

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by VeloBuckeye

...However, last year I removed them and the fans and installed the MaxxAir Deluxe fans. ...

We did the same thing. First I had the Fantastic Fans with the automatic rain sensors, but found that they closed themselves too often at the slightest hint of rain. They didn't re-open so we'd come back to find a sweltering inside temp after a couple of rain drops shut the lids.

Then we got the Fantastic Fan outside rain covers so we could just leave the fans open, but we didn't like the way they stood so tall. Cleaning under them was not easy.

Finally we replaced them with the MaxxAir Deluxe fans. Ours are both the smoke color, so they do let in a bit of light. In the bedroom we installed the interior cover for it, which I've not had a lot of opportunity to test. It does look like it will ultimately block enough light and still allow for a bit of air flow, but obviously not as much as with the interior covers open.

Overall we're much happier with the MaxAir Deluxe. We've used them in pouring rain without a drop inside. They are quieter and I find the remote control works better with more control. We have them set to come on automatically during the day based on temperature and since they can operate in the rain the interior is never a sauna when we return.

The white lids are supposed to be more light blocking.

Bees, stink bugs, etc. seem to find their way in regardless of which cover you use. They wind up just inside the inner screen, and if you're not careful to check they can get smooshed by the fan blades.

[1StreamDream]

I have the MaxAir covers over both my fans, and agree with most other comments. One that has not been mentioned yet is that for me, I still get an occasional auto-close due to the moisture sensor. My #1 objective was to be able to run the fans in mild precipitation, but even after having the fan covers, I get the auto-close. Not from wind driven rain ... from humidity/condensation. I was not expecting that, but its not the fault of the fan cover, just a thorn in my side because I hoped I would be able to have the fans go all night long in more caring conditions. I do get that benefit, but I get more auto-close headaches than I ever thought practical with these covers in place. I would still do it again but expect that issue to still be with you.

[Fungus]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

We got these for keeping light out and adding some insulation. They just press fit in.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Insulat...%2C110&sr=8-20

^1. Double as throw pillows on the bed and elsewhere.

[CRH]

I put a smoked original Maxxair over my FF. The fan lid opens just fine. I have a smoked fan lid. Enough sunlight comes in to bother us in the mornings. Made a light blocking cover out of foam board. It is attached to the FF frame with self stick velcro.

[gcj]

We have a Globetrotter 30RBT due in a month and want to swap out the Fantastic fan(s) with MaxxFan deluxes. Was it a fairly change out? I thought they both were the same size but have since heard that may not be true?

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by gcj

We have a Globetrotter 30RBT due in a month and want to swap out the Fantastic fan(s) with MaxxFan deluxes. Was it a fairly change out? I thought they both were the same size but have since heard that may not be true?

One of the fans on our Excella 25-ft was a Fantastic Fan when we got it. I pulled it out and dropped the MaxxAir Deluxe into the opening. There was no trimming of the opening necessary.

The only trimming was to the interior trim ring which comes with the MaxxAir to adjust for the ceiling thickness, but that is something which has to be done regardless of which fan you install. Both fans are designed to fit into a standard 14x14 opening.

The only modification I did was to install a wood filler piece all the way around the opening between the interior skin and exterior skin to provide a more stable surface to screw the fan to.

[STREMN]

Originally Posted by CRH

I put a smoked original Maxxair over my FF. The fan lid opens just fine. I have a smoked fan lid. Enough sunlight comes in to bother us in the mornings. Made a light blocking cover out of foam board. It is attached to the FF frame with self stick velcro.

Thanks, great info! We appreciate your thoughts...looks like whichever rain cover we get we'll be keeping our DIY light blocker...lol.

Tom - S/OS #025

[STREMN]

Originally Posted by 1StreamDream

I have the MaxAir covers over both my fans, and agree with most other comments. One that has not been mentioned yet is that for me, I still get an occasional auto-close due to the moisture sensor. My #1 objective was to be able to run the fans in mild precipitation, but even after having the fan covers, I get the auto-close. Not from wind driven rain ... from humidity/condensation. I was not expecting that, but its not the fault of the fan cover, just a thorn in my side because I hoped I would be able to have the fans go all night long in more caring conditions. I do get that benefit, but I get more auto-close headaches than I ever thought practical with these covers in place. I would still do it again but expect that issue to still be with you.

Thanks for your experiences with rain covers!

You can disable the rain sensor...see Post #7 in this thread: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f45...or-225523.html

Another option if you've got the remote or not: https://www.etrailer.com/question-334942.html

Tom - S/OS #025

[Biker]

Originally Posted by gcj

We have a Globetrotter 30RBT due in a month and want to swap out the Fantastic fan(s) with MaxxFan deluxes. Was it a fairly change out? I thought they both were the same size but have since heard that may not be true?

30' Globetrotter has 2 AC's so only 1 Fantastic fan. You may have an outside clearance issue with the MaxxFan Deluxe. The TV antenna is real close to the vent on my 2021. I'm not even sure the UltraBreeze cover would fit.