Installed Vortex II fan in the bathroom today. I did receive instructions... they weren't very good. Mostly useless. It also came with the rotary power knob electrical box not installed. Simple snap that is tough to get lined up and snapped together, but I finally got it..Instructions didn't tell me if the black or white wire is positive. I guessed correctly, it was black for me..Had to adjust the crank knob position and when you do, you have to use a spacer... what a silly design that is. I needed a third hand for both the installation and hooking the wire up, and didn't have one..On high, it is louder than the stock unit, not a lot, but it is noticeable. Medium about the same level, low is quieter. But ****, does this thing move a LOT of air. For that reason alone, it was worth the cost and installation.

I've got one sitting in a box, I'm waiting for the courage to break the seal on my roof vent to swap out the factory vent. I put a Vortex III in the bathroom, it was an easy retrofit, fit into the existing frame. Wanted the larger diameter blade of the II for my kitchen area.Did you install a vent cover over it?

I put one in my last travel trailer. I thought it was a really good fan for the price; it really did move a lot of air.

I put one in my TT a couple of years ago, I also installed louvers on the bathroom door to aid in pulling the air thru the door area. Works really good and a lot more air flow that the original fan. I also installed a vent cover over the vent so it can remain open even in inclement weather.

Had one (not a variable speed) in the bathroom of my old tt. I found it easy to install and it moved a LOT of air, although it was a bit noisy. I liked that it was retrofit and went into my existing vent.Philh, black should always be positive and white negative. Although I guess they should have specified that in the instructions.

The multiple speed fans use resistors to select the speed. I bought the single speed fans and used a PWM and reversing switch so that there is variable speed forward and reverse. Doing it this way, it is quieter, more efficient and cost about the same or less.

Installed Vortex II fan today | Good Sam Community

GordonThree
Explorer
Apr 16, 2019
I've got one sitting in a box, I'm waiting for the courage to break the seal on my roof vent to swap out the factory vent. I put a Vortex III in the bathroom, it was an easy retrofit, fit into the existing frame. Wanted the larger diameter blade of the II for my kitchen area.

Did you install a vent cover over it?
htss
Explorer
Apr 16, 2019
I put one in my last travel trailer. I thought it was a really good fan for the price; it really did move a lot of air.
nineoaks2004
Explorer
Apr 16, 2019
I put one in my TT a couple of years ago, I also installed louvers on the bathroom door to aid in pulling the air thru the door area. Works really good and a lot more air flow that the original fan. I also installed a vent cover over the vent so it can remain open even in inclement weather.
jfkmk
Explorer
Apr 16, 2019
Had one (not a variable speed) in the bathroom of my old tt. I found it easy to install and it moved a LOT of air, although it was a bit noisy. I liked that it was retrofit and went into my existing vent.

Philh, black should always be positive and white negative. Although I guess they should have specified that in the instructions.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 16, 2019
The multiple speed fans use resistors to select the speed. I bought the single speed fans and used a PWM and reversing switch so that there is variable speed forward and reverse. Doing it this way, it is quieter, more efficient and cost about the same or less.
philh
Explorer II
Apr 16, 2019
GordonThree wrote:
I've got one sitting in a box, I'm waiting for the courage to break the seal on my roof vent to swap out the factory vent. I put a Vortex III in the bathroom, it was an easy retrofit, fit into the existing frame. Wanted the larger diameter blade of the II for my kitchen area.

Did you install a vent cover over it?

Bathroom already had a vent fan. This is a replacement utilizing the existing frame.

If you're asking did I put a big rain cover over the vent and cover, yes I had previously done that.
philh
Explorer II
Apr 16, 2019
jfkmk wrote:
Philh, black should always be positive and white negative. Although I guess they should have specified that in the instructions.

I like red positive, black negative in DC wiring :)

House wiring for this circuit, green is positive, white is negative. In another circuit w/green was positive. I'll continue to be surprised!
jfkmk
Explorer
Apr 17, 2019
philh wrote:
jfkmk wrote:
Philh, black should always be positive and white negative. Although I guess they should have specified that in the instructions.

I like red positive, black negative in DC wiring :)

House wiring for this circuit, green is positive, white is negative. In another circuit w/green was positive. I'll continue to be surprised!

Thank goodness we always have choices, huh?:)

Glad the install went well.
Blacklane
Explorer
Apr 18, 2019
I installed a Vortex II, but I had heard about reliability problems. By inspecting the circuit board, it was obvious that the big, heavy resistors could never hold-up in a high-vibration and shock environment of an RV. So I under-filled the resistors with silicon to support them better. This is actually a pretty common practice in electronics; I don't know why Vortex doesn't do it. It's been 5 seasons with no problems yet.

I tried a PWM speed controller on my old single-speed Vortex, but noticed that it had a lot of parasitic current draw, even when turned off. The one I used also made an objectionable high-pitch noise when it was on. I decided not to use it. Instead, I installed it in my stove vent fan circuit downstream of the switch, and I love it there.

Click For Full-Size Image.
philh
Explorer II
Apr 18, 2019
Now you tell me!