Can I replace just the fan frame?

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Can I replace just the fan frame?

September 04, 2021, 07:27:55 pm

We've got a Fan-tastic (I think) fan in the bathroom, which spins and blows just fine, but the plastic frame around it (that holds the controls, etc.) has bent and buckled and is now crackling into pieces.
I've attached a photo of what it currently looks like, where we've tried to rig it so the fan itself doesn't rattle against the pieces of warped frame around it. (I see it's not all that visible in the photo, but if you look at the far edge by the fuse and switch, the grayer part is the back side of duct tape, rather than plastic)
Is "frame" even the correct word for the part that's disintegrating? I don't mean the part that's directly attached to the rig roof, but the square-to-circle part that surrounds the spinny piece :-)

I found the amazingly-useful thread from a year ago about fan replacements and ideas: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement so if we do replace, I'll be re-reading that more carefully.
But still wondering if it would be feasible to just do something about the frame itself, when the fan seems to work just fine.

(I've been lurking for over a year, but this is my first post, forgive me if I do anything problematic... in particular, the image size limitations are confusing... this is either way too big, or relatively tiny: "maximum individual size 49,152 KB" is ginormous,,, nearly 50 megabytes, and I wonder if it was intended to be 49,152 bytes)

Re: Can I replace just the fan frame?

Reply #1 – September 04, 2021, 08:52:33 pm

Hi Philip; Yes you can replace just that part. I don't know if it is available as a single part. I had my '99 vintage fan apart when I put in a RioRand PCW electronic controller to give better speed control and control power consumption with the 'old' motor. RonB

Re: Can I replace just the fan frame?

Reply #2 – September 05, 2021, 02:28:35 am

I did find this part: Dometic Upgrade-1250 Series Wht and it came with more than you need. A few extra parts, but less expensive than buying a completely new fan. RonB

Philip, the post size limit is to "not exceed those huge amounts of data". Please use what is convenient to get the message through.

edit: As in many things RV: Sold out! Hopefully to be in stock again as winter sets in, and RV sales drop.

Re: Can I replace just the fan frame?

Reply #3 – September 05, 2021, 02:48:15 am

Quote from: RonB - September 05, 2021, 02:28:35 am

I did find this part: Dometic Upgrade-1250 Series Wht and it came with more than you need. A few extra parts, but less expensive than buying a completely new fan.

Ron nailed it, this part is the cheapest way to go and a somewhat simple repair, the motor says attached to the top. If your motor is still in good shape definitely keep it, the old 'soup can' motors are much quieter than the later 'pancake' motors.
You may find the interior trim ring is very brittle too, it may be a good time to replace it. The trim ring's depth is cut to size, using a utility knife.

Larry

Re: Can I replace just the fan frame?

Reply #4 – September 05, 2021, 01:20:28 pm

A few years ago we added a New Fantastic Fan to our escape hatch in our 98~MB. That motor is way more noise then our old FF in the bathroom. We also have a MaxxAir in the rear lounge that is quiet. I am wondering if the old motor can be added to a new frame? I don't know where you could get an old motor now? I guess I missed a good opportunity with our old itaska we owned last year with two old FFs, I could have swapped one before I sold it?

~Liam

Re: Can I replace just the fan frame?

Reply #5 – September 05, 2021, 06:10:29 pm

Quote from: Karen & Liam - September 05, 2021, 01:20:28 pm

A few years ago we added a New Fantastic Fan to our escape hatch in our 98~MB. That motor is way more noise then our old FF in the bathroom. We also have a MaxxAir in the rear lounge that is quiet. I am wondering if the old motor can be added to a new frame? I don't know where you could get an old motor now? I guess I missed a good opportunity with our old itaska we owned last year with two old FFs, I could have swapped one before I sold it?

Fantastic stopped selling the soup can motor several years ago and the only new replacement is the pancake motor. Used soup can motors can be found on Ebay.
Part of the reason I installed the remote upgrade kit was because the 2003 Fantastic's motor brong sleeve bearings were wearing out and becoming noise with time. They do not appear to be easily rebuildable.
In retrospect, it would have been better to take the entire fan assembly out and replace it with a MaxxAir fan.

The new pancake motor has noisy brushes when rotating in one direction, it’s much quieter rotating in the opposite direction.
Both Steve and I have disassemble pancake motors and have not determined why the brushes make so much noise. I request and received from Fanastic two new pancake motors and both were noisy. Unfortunately the noise only occurs when the fan is pulling air out, its normal direction of operation.

Larry

Re: Can I replace just the fan frame?

Reply #6 – September 06, 2021, 03:45:04 am

My fan mounting assembly also fell to pieces a couple years ago, and new parts were not available. But my handy repair guy managed to find an used one to use the frame from and was able to fix it. Many RV shops apparently keep the old parts around just for this. So far it works well, but we'll see after spending a year and a half in outdoor storage! I prefer to keep things going as long as possible but eventually a MaxxAir fan replacement seems likely.
Kristin

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