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Fantastic fan problem
Hi all,
Our fantastic fan up and quit. We checked the fuse. It was fine. We climbed up on top and checked the plunger switch. It is fine. We direct connected the fan through the fuse holder from a 12v source and the fan works fine. Soooo, we have figured there is no power to the fan. We checked the fuse panel by the sink and the fuses look good. Any suggestions on where to go next? We only have a partial wiring diagram from a kind soul here. As no paperwork came with our rig. It is a 1998 26.5 rear king. Any suggestions would be so helpful!
1998 26.5 Mid Bath

Re: Fantastic fan problem
Reply #1
If you don't receive 'answers', you might want to call FF and describe the problem and what you've done to troubleshoot it. Their standard response is to tell you to check/clean the contacts in the plunger switch (which you indicated that you'd done?), but you may connect with a rep who can offer additional suggestions.

Welcome to Fan-Tastic Vent!

My FF stopped, too; the fuse holder was broken (replaced that and the 4A fuse) and also one of the little 'spade' connectors from the motor wiring had come loose.

Please post when you determine the fix; thanks.
2003 TK has a new home

Re: Fantastic fan problem
Reply #2
Thanks for your response. We would love to know if there is an additional fuse for the fan somewhere. Since the fan works fine direct wired, we are guessing there might be a blown fuse elsewhere in the rig, but do not know where to look?
1998 26.5 Mid Bath

Re: Fantastic fan problem
Reply #3
Karmani74-

In your DC fuse board in the power center, do you get 12V into the fuse for the fan? The label usually lists which one it should be. Our 1997/8 mid-bath it was #3, 10A.

I'll usually replace a fuse, rather than just check it. Sometimes they test OK, but aren't.

After I replaced the speed control with one that used less current, I was able to drop the fuse rating to 3A.

Mark H
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath

Re: Fantastic fan problem
Reply #4
While you said the fuses "look" good, sometimes looks can be deceiving. A simple test of the fuses or simply swapping out the suspected fuse can sometimes reveal a "bad" fuse.

I haven't actually looked at the fuse in the fuse box. Are they spade automotive fuses or small glass fuses? If they are glass fuses, sometimes the filament goes out without actually burning out.

If it's a glass fuse, the clips holding the fuse in place can weaken their grip. If this is the case, you can remove the fuse a gently squeeze the clips toward each other to increase the "grip" on the fuse. This has helped me resolve issues at work with pesky fuse issues.

Best of luck.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"

Re: Fantastic fan problem
Reply #5
Thanks all for your advice.
We took apart the fan to check the connection and pulled the fuse holder. Cleaned the connections and the fan is working now.  But now with the frame hanging down the fan works fine, but as soon as we start to move it up into position the fan goes off! The temp switch is at cold. How necessary is that switch? Can we bypass it? Still trying to figure it out.....   it just seems there is a wiring problem possibly in the switches? I will let you know what we find out with it.
Marilyn and Duane
1998 26.5 Mid Bath

Re: Fantastic fan problem
Reply #6
Mark H,
Thanks for the heads up on the fuse location!
1998 26.5 Mid Bath

Re: Fantastic fan problem
Reply #7
My husband just came in and said the fan is fixed now!!
He found corrosion in the temperature switch. Actually it was green. So basically it was a dirty temperature  switch, dirty fuse holder, and a dirty plunger switch all together.
Thanks for your support.
1998 26.5 Mid Bath

Re: Fantastic fan problem
Reply #8
"Actually it was green. So basically it was a dirty temperature  switch, dirty fuse holder, and a dirty plunger switch all together."


Electrical devices like speed switches, thermo switches, interlock switches can get lazy, particularly if they've been left in one position for long periods! You can save yourself a lot of grief by regularly exercising these devices at intervals. Just run them through their range several times to wipe the contact surfaces free of corrosion (as in this case) and you will have much better service as a result.   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: Fantastic fan problem
Reply #9
I'd also look around to make sure I didn't have any unexpected places where water was coming in to cause the connections/switches/etc. to corrode.

The outside fan housing has a hole in it, about a half-inch or so in diameter (as I remember it), covered with a small screen. Directly below that screen was the resistor pack and rotary switch for the fan speed control. I figure the designer put the screened hole there to allow the resistor heat to escape the fan housing. If you are slow on closing the cover in a rainstorm, water can get inside via that hole. This could explain the condition of the temperature control on your fan.

I'm glad you have the fan working again.

Mark H.
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath

Re: Fantastic fan problem
Reply #10
" If you are slow on closing the cover in a rainstorm, water can get inside via that hole."

And that is the primary reason that I removed my FFs and installed in their place 5 of the MaxxAir MaxxFans. They have a built in rain cover and they need not be closed during a rain storm. In fact, as contrasted with the FF the MaxxFans have a provision whereby you can lock them open for circulation while driving, raining or not!   8)

And, in my estimation (deaf as I am), they are quite a bit quieter than the FFs, particularly on the higher speeds.  ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: Fantastic fan problem
Reply #11
Speaking of a Fantastic fan problem, has any one had the problem I am having now?-
In my 2015 mid-bath, the Fantastic fan in the rear shares the same 15 amp circuit with the 12V outlet next to the TV. I have a 150 watt inverter plugged into the 12V outlet to power the Directv receiver. The Directv receiver only draws 55 watts.
The problem is that when the Fantastic fan is turned on, the inverter goes into a low-voltage alarm.  This happens even with a replacement inverter. I measured the voltage drop only to 11.0 volts which should not bring in the alarm. Any ideas how to trouble shoot?
I had call customer service for the Fantastic fan just to see if they had any experience with this type of problem. I was treated very badly by a gal who had no idea, and she said it is their policy not to let anyone talk to a tech. She wanted me to send an email.  Great customer no-service.
2105 MB

 
Re: Fantastic fan problem
Reply #12
Fantastic Fan was bought by Atwood Mobile in 2010; before the acquisition, FF was known for its superior customer service and knowledgeable, helpful reps. I've had two occasions to contact the company in the past couple of years, and, in each case, my experience was the same as that of "tahoewyatt". I found the answer I needed - and the products - from other sources.

2003 TK has a new home