Forum Discussion

DocData3D's avatar
DocData3D
Explorer
Jun 06, 2014

DC fans reversed

I just realized today that the 12vDC fan for the stove hood and the bathroom vent are running backwards. These are the small cheap DC motors. However, the blower for the heater is running correctly.

I guess I can reverse the wiring but I'd sure like to know how this happened.

Thanks,
Dave
  • Well the lights won't care what direction DC is going, but it's possible that the roof feeder is reversed. I would look at the lights and make sure they are correct before assuming that there were two mistakes made only on those polarity sensitive devices
  • Hmmmm .... maybe the OP's fans were wired up to run on conventional current instead of electron current. :h

    P.S. Do RV batteries go longer between charges when supplying conventional current? If so, probably all of us should reverse our RV batteries and remount our RV fan blades upside down. :B
  • DocData3D wrote:
    I just realized today that the 12vDC fan for the stove hood and the bathroom vent are running backwards. These are the small cheap DC motors. However, the blower for the heater is running correctly.

    I guess I can reverse the wiring but I'd sure like to know how this happened.

    Thanks,
    Dave


    Dave those cheap DC motors are over $40 to replace.

    Dave
  • wa8yxm wrote:
    bukhrn wrote:
    Built on a Monday ? :@ Careless workmanship, poor quality control. :(


    I kind of agree with this but there is an even easier answer.

    I'm cross trained. Certified Electronics technician, (Also an Engineering student) with Electrical training and experience though never certified or licensed in that field.

    As an Electronics tech I'm used to black being Ground or Negative when working on automotive stuff.. Like that 12 volt fan.

    But in HOUSE wiring black is HOT,, White is neutral (And in RV use will usually (NOT ALWAYS) be ground.

    The idiot who built the think hooked the black wire to the black wire and the other wire to the other wire.. That simple.. NORMALLY that is how I would wire things too.. but if I'm working on 12 volt in a motor home.. I METER First.


    Good answer, and that would be my guess to. But like has been said, I would check to make sure the whole unit 12v isn't wired backwards. Could be the main 12v supply wired backwards. After being in computers and electronics as long as I was, and a backyard mechanic/hot rodder, I sometimes have to think twice before I mess with house wiring.
  • I'm not buying a line assembly person that does this all day long hasn't figured out the wiring protocol between house and RV. It's likely they have no clue other than what was taught them.
    Where's the OP?
  • If some run right and some run wrong... it wouldn't hurt to check the battery hookup to be sure but just reverse the polarity on the motors that run the wrong direction. Flipping the blade doesn't reverse the flow! If the blades have a curve built into them, they won't flow nearly as much as when they are running correctly but the flow direction will be the same. Curved blades need to scoop the air just like a spoon scoops ice cream. Something like a fantastic fan has a twist in the blades but no curve or scoop cuz they are bidirectional... they need to blow equally in either direction. There are CW and CCW blades and that's what it takes to reverse the flow with a non-reversible motor... change to the other direction blade. Craig
  • I thought this was going to be a political thread.:B

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,102 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 18, 2025