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Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
I have a question about the Fantastic that I upgraded to have the remote controller. Has anyone else noticed that the 100% manual fan speed is fast, as it should be, but 90% (and below) is very much slower, more like 20%?
2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #1 –
Hi Keith;  Your older fan if it has just three speeds, has resistors in series to reduce speed. In high speed the resistors are bypassed, giving you 100%.  In lower speeds the resistors are in the circuit. One for medium speed and both in series for low speed. The one for medium speed has changed value to retard the speed too much.  Fan-Tastic Vent 3 Speed Switch K1031-05 | pdxrvwholesale  The resistors are just coils of nichrome wire. you can see them in the picture. An easy to replace assembly, should return proper operation.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #2 –
What you describe sounds like the original three speed direct rotating speed control knob unit. The remote controller upgrade included replacing the motor/fan assembly, and purports to offer 5% speed steps, along with power-operated cover open and close. I don’t think there are series resistors (nichrome wires) in it.
2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #3 –
Hi Keith; I didn't know that the 'upgraded' kit involved the motor speed control.  Does the fan speed work better when you are on battery vs plugged in?  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Keith Sweitzer  - 
I have a question about the Fantastic that I upgraded to have the remote controller. Has anyone else noticed that the 100% manual fan speed is fast, as it should be, but 90% (and below) is very much slower, more like 20%?

I did the same upgrade around three years ago. Our remote has 15 steps, gradually slowing down to where the fan is barely spinning. The various speeds are shown by LEDs on the fan's remote.
Earlier, the fan’s receiver died and a replacement was quickly sent, free of charge.

I would suspect the receiver or remote is bad, it should have distinct, small speed changes at each step, as indicated on the remote’s LED display. I would give their helpline a call Tuesday morning and see what their diagnosis is and to get a replacement.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #5 –
It is helpful to know that my unit’s operation is not right. The LEDs on the remote show the appropriate small step down from 100% to 95% - the actual fan speed drops down way more than that.

I thought I remembered someone with a similar complaint a few years ago, but I wasn’t able to find such a thread by searching LDOF.

I will call them.
2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #6 –
My experience with Fantastic Fans, now a part of Dometic, stands in stark contrast with what others have reported. I am not happy.

In early September (after 30 minutes in the phone queue) I spoke with Fantastic (now Dometic) Customer Support, and was told that I need to work through an approved service shop. They provided information for two approved shops here in Ventura County.

The first shop (Simi RV, Simi Valley, CA) is very busy, so they only service RVs that they sold. The second shop (H&H RV Storage & Repair, Ventura, CA) is also very busy, and offered their first available appointment, in late October, six weeks away.

As scheduled, I arrived at the shop and demonstrated the misbehavior for the service advisor. He acknowledged the problem, and said that they would charge $150 (seems excessive, and should have been disclosed over the phone) for the technician to diagnose the problem, as their technician would have to wait in the same long telephone queue for one-half hour or more. He said that Dometic will not pay the diagnostic fee. I need to pay the $150 and ask Dometic to reimburse me, with little likelihood of success in his estimation.

I called Dometic (40 minutes in the queue) and confirmed that Dometic only pays the labor for the actual change-out of a warranty replacement part, not for diagnostic labor. I explained the misbehavior to the representative but she insisted that they only work through an approved shop - they won't work with the RV owner who purchases their product and installs it themselves. The representative stated that she could not offer a solution that I would be happy with, and suggested I convey the situation in writing to customer support.

I related the details in an email to customer support, and asked for one of the following solutions:
1)    Authorize the shop to perform the diagnostic task, and cover the cost charged by the Dometic-approved repair shop.
2)    Have a technician contact me to troubleshoot the problem to Dometic’s satisfaction over the phone.
3)    Ship a replacement control board to me under warranty.
4)    Ship a replacement upgrade kit to me under warranty.

I received a prompt reply reiterating their policy of only honoring warranty claims through an approved shop, and that my only recourse is to find a different shop with a friendlier diagnostic policy.

The consequences for me of Dometic's stance are, I must find another shop (farther away), schedule an appointment (six or more weeks of waiting), drive the Lazy Daze to the shop and leave it there (time and money), have them perform their diagnosis, drive home (time and money), have them order the replacement part from Dometic, wait for the part to be shipped (unknown number of weeks), have them install the part, drive back to the shop to pick up the MH (time and money), and drive home (time and money).

I would rate my customer perception of Dometic as "Very Dissatisfied". They won't support their customer in diagnosing a problem with their product. They won't pay a shop to diagnose a problem with their product. They won't provide warranty parts to their customer.
2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #7 –
Wow. That stinks. After reading your account, Keith, I will never purchase another Fan-Tastic fan. I'm sorry you were subjected to such bad treatment, but appreciate your sharing your experience as a warning to the rest of us.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #8 –

My experiences with Dometic lead me to believe that their warranties are next to worthless.
When Fantastic was a separate company, their warranty service was outstanding, now that it is under the ownership of Dometic, they are working on making Fantastic's warranties hard and expensive to use.
Having to pay a $150 minimum to have the fan diagnosed, plus your time wasted, and to possibly find out they will not honor any warranty is the likely outcome. You might as well try to buy a receiver and remote kit or a complete conversion kit, probably what you originally bought. It's only a few dollars more.
Amazon.com: Fan-Tastic Vent 807358 Vent Upgrade Kit for 7350 - Off White :...

If this makes you too mad to ever deal with Dometic and Fantastic again, rip the fan out and install a Maxxfan.

Larry

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #9 –
Agree, Dometic suxs. Our original fan went toes up. I ordered a new one from the Mothership and spent half a day removing the old one. The lid only opens halfway using the remote. It can be manually opened all the way. Dometic customer service un-helpfully sent me a wiring diagram.

It's much louder than the original 2007 fan.

Wish I had known about Maxxfan, especially if it is the same size.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Don Malpas  - 
It's much louder than the original 2007 fan.
Wish I had known about Maxxfan, especially if it is the same size.

The older Fantastic Fan used a motor the shape and size of a soup can and they were quiet.
The newer motors are flat, I refer to them as pancake motors. They make a squeaky noise, produced by the motor's brushes.

Dometic continues to acquire great companies and then turn them into another ho-hum Dometic clone.
The consolidation in the RV business is downgrading just about everything it touches, IMO.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #11 –
"Wish I had known about Maxxfan,..."

When I took delivery of my '04 30'IB the only fan was a Fantastic in the WC. Since I did the initial research, and over time, there are now five (5) Maxxfans in each vent. A real happy family!   :D
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #12 –
My remote fan is acting in a similar manner.  I am planning to reinstall the 3 speed system.
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #13 –
After purchasing and installing a variable speed controller in one of my two fans that was not adequate to the task, I got a controller that Larry provided a link to about 5 years ago that worked perfectly in both of my fans. One is still working, one got wet and failed, but I have a replacement, just not the time. Though one has to get up to change the speed at the fan, they work well on my original motors. Having that level of control is great IMO. A bit tricky to squeeze up in beneath the shroud during installation!  Below is a search term that should help, doesn't seem that the link copied.

Amazon.com: RioRand™ Upgraded 6V-90V 15A DC Motor Pump Speed Controller:...


Bill
Bill
2003 -- 23' FL
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #14 –

Switching to a PWM controller will save considerable 12-volt power compared to the three-speed stock speed controller that reduces the fan's speed by using resistors that waste power by producing heat.
The PWM controller switches the motor on and off rapidly, controlling the speed by varying the percentage of time the motor is powered up.
The RioRand controller is backordered, like so many other things.
Amazon.com: RioRand Upgraded 6V-90V 15A DC Motor Pump Speed Controller :...

Other 10-15 amp PWM controllers are available, make sure to get one that has a separate, wired control rheostat, it will make installing it easier.

Larry

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #15 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
The RioRand controller is backordered, like so many other things.
Amazon.com: RioRand Upgraded 6V-90V 15A DC Motor Pump Speed Controller :...

Other 10-15 amp PWM controllers are available, make sure to get one that has a separate, wired control rheostat, it will make installing it easier.
This RoRand is in stock, still cheap enough as a pack of two:
Amazon.com: RioRand Upgraded 6V-90V 15A DC Motor Pump Speed Controller 2PCS...
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #16 –
Here is an update on my fan speeds issue. I called other shops and didn’t find one willing to diagnose a warranty  problem. I emailed Dometic again and related my lack of progress, and a different rep said they would send a replacement. Yea!
Weeks went by with nothing arriving. Not so yea.
I emailed Dometic. I didn’t get a reply, but a replacement arrived a few weeks later. Yea!

I swapped in the replacement today. The fan speeds issue remains unchanged. Sigh. This points to the remote or the motor as the problem, both of which I considered unlikely. All of the other features on the remote seem to operate correctly. I have the canister motor, and a new replacement would be the pancake motor, which I hear is noisy.
   
 I am contemplating my next step.


2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #17 –
Hi Keith;  You could have a bad electrical connection at the switch that closes when the lid is open. It is out in the weather when the lid is open, and a poor connection could cause an unstable speed situation. It has a spring inside that can get packed up with dirt.  I'd spray some cleaner solution at the switch (from the roof with the lid open).  You could poke at the switch plunger with the fan running too slow to see if it changes the symptoms.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #18 –
I have resolved the problem. It has been incredibly, needlessly difficult to get to this point. Dometic (nee Fan-Tastic) could have been helpful and spared me this entire odyssey, but they didn't.

After the control board assembly replacement didn't make any difference in the problem, I figured the motor was the last possibility. A replacement motor was available on Amazon for $33.43, so I ordered one. After swapping it out, the problem was still present. Rats, foiled again! It occurred to me that the new motor is the pancake-style, for which the jumper is not needed. I opened it up and removed the jumper, and <<fireworks and musical flourish>> it is working correctly!!!!

I swapped out the new, out of round, fan blade that came attached to the new motor, with the old, perfectly round and balanced fan blade from the old motor. Dometic has some quality control issues to resolve with their injection molding supplier.

Conclusion: The current Dometic #7350 upgrade kit includes a control circuit board that is incompatible with some older canister-style motors (mine has a date code of 12/12, which I interpret as December of 2012, since I took delivery in early 2013). The symptom is that the motor speed control doesn't deliver a useful range of motor speeds. Nowhere in the Dometic online materials, nor in the printed materials that ship with the upgrade kit, nor during email or voice communication with Dometic Customer Support, is this incompatibility disclosed.

Thanks to everyone that gave suggestions, and commiserated with my experience with Dometic Customer Support.
2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #19 –
(2016 TK with 12k miles)I have an issue with my fantastic fan model 2250. I have been going through the unit cleaning, maint, minor fixes....on all systems. I took down fan screen covers, blades washed dryed. Cleaned plunger, cleaned rubber seal and applied 100% silicone as per manual.
I get to the fan over the front bunk and removed screw and worked fan blade down off motor shaft( in the future i will apply silicone lube very very lightly to area above fan on shaft and wait a bit before moving blade down). I walked inside house to wash items and noticed part of the center portion of the fan blade that slides up on the shaft was missing. I went back and found the other half on the shaft. Poor molding on this one....??? I used jb weld clear apoxy 3 thin layers over 3 days. I finally decide to call dometic who now owns the fantastic brands....it took around 3 or 4 emails with pictures before they told me i had a 7 year warranty on the blade and motor....they sent me a new style of assembly...one where i have to go up on top and replace it. I kept telling her i only needed a new blade. She insisted i needed the motor too...shaft looked warped...i put a straight edge on it to show her it was not a motor shaft issue. I ask if they had issues with the old style blades coming apart while in use and if so she needed to send me all three and i would replace them....no reply to this question of course. She did tell me it was dangerous to use epoxy ....i assured her it was better than a poorly molded fan blade. I insisted she send me a matching original....no reply to my email....she ask for my mailing address ....i ask what are you sending me....no reply and then a combo new style blade showed up...part number # K8017-00.
I send another email asking for just the blade.....no email and no fan blade has arrived as yet.
This is not how fantastic would have responded...Dometic is not customer friendly. Anyone else have this issue...

Just received an email stating " blades were sent also, should be seeing them soon...."....i replied...how many and what part number?
So secretive these dometic people....must have lawyers sitting beside them...lol
2017 Casita Spirit Deluxe
2016 Twin King 24ft
2017 Casita Independence Dlx
2004 Midbath 26.5
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #20 –
The designs have changed over time, and sending a new assembly that will fit and work is all you can expect if they no longer manufacture the original part of the assembly that failed. Dometic certainly does not have the kind of customer service FF had, but the end result would have been the same.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
 
Re: Fantastic remote fan speeds complaint
Reply #21 –
Update....K1137-00 is the part number for just the blade that is one round disc with blades....so after 16 emails i am getting what was first requested...geezzz!
2017 Casita Spirit Deluxe
2016 Twin King 24ft
2017 Casita Independence Dlx
2004 Midbath 26.5