MaxxFan Deluxe 6200K Circuit Board Failure

[dbj216]

Well, like several of us, I tested my 2021 installed, but never used, MaxxFan Deluxe last week and got the blinking, beeping green LED of confusion. I didn't want to "set the thermostat", I just wanted the fan to run. So I purchased a replacement circuit board from Panther RV. I received it today and went out to install it. That can be done from inside the trailer. I was afraid I would have to pull the fan off the roof.

But as I cut the power wires to the old circuit board I decided to try what I read here on these Forums, and after about 15 minutes I reconnected the wires and walla, the fan operated normally. My trailer sits in the shop at 55 degrees all winter with a modern converter delivering 13.2 volts to the new battery. So the circuit board saw power for many months, but no activity.

Reassembling the fan is a real chore for me working overhead. The parts are flimsy plastic, the stiff power wires get in the way, you're working somewhat blind, the manual fan hood raise knob assembly is hard to hold in place while getting the parts aligned and screwed to the upper fan assembly. It makes an old grandpa cuss. Shame, shame.

Bottom line, if you get the beeping green LED and nothing else works, try pulling the right fuse, or disconnecting the battery, wait 15 minutes, and reconnect power and see what happens. The thing might reset like it did for me. Maybe there is some type of control "chip" on that little circuit board that needs to "reboot" to work, kinda like me. I need a boot now and then.

David

[Bauxter]

David, That's good info. I noticed that my Max fan gave me a beep error and a flashing green light as soon as I connected to my new lithium battery. I added a voltage regulator, and it fixed the issue. Apparently 13.4 volts is to high for a 4 year old max fan. Since I still haven't connected my fridge and water heater, I am concerned about seeing the same type of error., for those appliances.
topic switch>> on anther thread I saw that your water heater cover was riveted all the way around its perimeter. Is that a 10 gallon original factory cover? I have had a few leaks around my newer water heater, and was curious if you modified the cover due to leaks.

[SuperTrouper]

Originally Posted by Bauxter

David, That's good info. I noticed that my Max fan gave me a beep error and a flashing green light as soon as I connected to my new lithium battery. I added a voltage regulator, and it fixed the issue. Apparently 13.4 volts is to high for a 4 year old max fan. Since I still haven't connected my fridge and water heater, I am concerned about seeing the same type of error., for those appliances.

@David, Great advice. @Bauxter, X2 on voltage regulation.

Even with voltage regulation I've had another board fail and others have suggested that moisture and condensation might be the cause. I have work weekend camping set up next month with a T@B buddy of mine (every couple of years we camp side by side and work on our rigs at a relaxed pace). A couple of years ago I replaced the A/C Shroud and installed a Smart Plug. This year I'm replacing all of my marker lights and also replacing the MaxxAir fan boards with boards that I conformally coated. See threads below. One personal note, if you conformally coat the boards with MG Chemicals 419E, be sure to do it outside when the weather is nice to avoid nasty fumes in the garage/house. I'm up to 3 coats and plan to apply a total of 6. Be sure to tape over all connectors before coating. I'll report back on this thread with results both short term and long.

Overvoltage Thread: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f45...ml#post2372320

Conformal Coating thread: https://www.airforums.com/forums/f24...ml#post2683417

Conformal Coating Product: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TXWN3V6?

[Bauxter]

what does the conformal coating do to connectors?

mike

[SuperTrouper]

Originally Posted by Bauxter

what does the conformal coating do to connectors?

mike

Conformal coating (acrylic in this case), is an insulator so if it gets on a connector or pins of a connectr, the connector/connection will be intermittent or not work at all. The conformal coating will protect the traces and components on the board from dirt and moisture which can conduct electricity across contacts that should not be connected together in the worst case and can cause intermittent operation or total failure.

[dbj216]

Greetings Bauxter: My new water heaters are just standard Atwood 6 gallon RV water heaters. That is all we need while out traveling. I do like to modify the white painted water heater access door by riveting a sheet of Alclad to the door. It hides the white paint and matches my polished old Airstreams. And it is pretty easy to do. But purely cosmetic.

David

[Bauxter]

David, The latch and the grill look to be a little challenging. How did you cut those out?
Mike

[dbj216]

Hi Bauxter Mike: Well, the latch was just drilling three holes in a line and filing out the rest. The grill was marking it from the old, while cover, then drilling holes in the corners, and finally, drilling a bigger hole in the center and having at it with my tin snips. The grill just snaps into place and hides the rather rough edges pretty good. It ain't perfect, but I like the looks much better than the old white door that came with my new water heater. The aluminum piece I made is riveted to the white door of course.

David