hi everyone! Today I decided to tinker around with my fantastic fan installed in my bedroom. For some reason I was unable to open it the handle was jammed. I removed the black twist handle and then the two screws on either side of it assuming I would see a gear that was stuck. instead it's actually attached to a motor and the twisting handles inoperable. Using a pair of needle nose pliers I was able to figure out that the gear to open the fan is fine. However as soon as I turn power on to the vent the motor forces the event to be returned closed. when I manually open event with a pair of needle nose pliers the main fan will also not turn on. I check the fuse its a four amp just as required and its in good condition. I'm really stumped! Can someone recommend either a good website or give me some helpful information so that I can at least open and run this? Thanks a lot everyone!

yolo6886 wrote:hi everyone! Today I decided to tinker around with my fantastic fan installed in my bedroom. For some reason I was unable to open it the handle was jammed. I removed the black twist handle and then the two screws on either side of it assuming I would see a gear that was stuck. instead it's actually attached to a motor and the twisting handles inoperable. Using a pair of needle nose pliers I was able to figure out that the gear to open the fan is fine. However as soon as I turn power on to the vent the motor forces the event to be returned closed. when I manually open event with a pair of needle nose pliers the main fan will also not turn on. I check the fuse its a four amp just as required and its in good condition. I'm really stumped! Can someone recommend either a good website or give me some helpful information so that I can at least open and run this? Thanks a lot everyone!to open the fan cover manually pull down on the handle and then turn it. pulling down disconnects the mechanism from the motor.

okay that was pretty simple! I was able to open it but now the problem I'm having is the main fan doesn't work. Even with a handle pull down the vent open as soon as I turn the power on the motor behind the handle starts running but not the main fan. I tried changing the direction of the fan first then turning it on and still nothing. But whenever I turn the power on the motor behind the handle is still going.

There is a plunger switch that is the problem 99% of the time- gets corroded. You do need to go on the roof to get to it easily.

Yep, likely the plunger switch up top is either stuck in the down position, or as was the problem with mine once the wire was loose. There also may be a thermostat controlling the fan and it is set to a high temp.

Not only the plunger switch but on models with the motor there is a rain sensor, it is sensing rainThe rain sensor is basically a printed circuit board, with two strips of conductive metal, often in a serpentine shape, small etched path between them,, If water drops land on it they connectif an insect gets splatted on top, that can do it tooStep one is to clean the rain sensor. And the switch,, With the top open (manually) and power of, both jobs are easy,, operate the plunger switch by hand like 20 to 50 times, "Erase" the printed circuit rain sensor (Pencil erasor followed by a blast of air or soft brush to wipe the eraser parts off).Never done one on a fan, but done a lot of other switches and a few of those contact type sensors that way.

not so fantastic vent | Good Sam Community

rk911
Explorer
Feb 07, 2015
yolo6886 wrote:
hi everyone! Today I decided to tinker around with my fantastic fan installed in my bedroom. For some reason I was unable to open it the handle was jammed. I removed the black twist handle and then the two screws on either side of it assuming I would see a gear that was stuck. instead it's actually attached to a motor and the twisting handles inoperable. Using a pair of needle nose pliers I was able to figure out that the gear to open the fan is fine. However as soon as I turn power on to the vent the motor forces the event to be returned closed. when I manually open event with a pair of needle nose pliers the main fan will also not turn on. I check the fuse its a four amp just as required and its in good condition. I'm really stumped! Can someone recommend either a good website or give me some helpful information so that I can at least open and run this? Thanks a lot everyone!

to open the fan cover manually pull down on the handle and then turn it. pulling down disconnects the mechanism from the motor.
yolo6886
Explorer
Feb 07, 2015
okay that was pretty simple! I was able to open it but now the problem I'm having is the main fan doesn't work. Even with a handle pull down the vent open as soon as I turn the power on the motor behind the handle starts running but not the main fan. I tried changing the direction of the fan first then turning it on and still nothing. But whenever I turn the power on the motor behind the handle is still going.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2015
There is a plunger switch that is the problem 99% of the time- gets corroded. You do need to go on the roof to get to it easily.
tkcas01
Explorer
Feb 07, 2015
Yep, likely the plunger switch up top is either stuck in the down position, or as was the problem with mine once the wire was loose. There also may be a thermostat controlling the fan and it is set to a high temp.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 07, 2015
Not only the plunger switch but on models with the motor there is a rain sensor, it is sensing rain

The rain sensor is basically a printed circuit board, with two strips of conductive metal, often in a serpentine shape, small etched path between them,, If water drops land on it they connect

if an insect gets splatted on top, that can do it too

Step one is to clean the rain sensor. And the switch,, With the top open (manually) and power of, both jobs are easy,, operate the plunger switch by hand like 20 to 50 times, "Erase" the printed circuit rain sensor (Pencil erasor followed by a blast of air or soft brush to wipe the eraser parts off).

Never done one on a fan, but done a lot of other switches and a few of those contact type sensors that way.
rk911
Explorer
Feb 07, 2015
yolo6886 wrote:
okay that was pretty simple! I was able to open it but now the problem I'm having is the main fan doesn't work. Even with a handle pull down the vent open as soon as I turn the power on the motor behind the handle starts running but not the main fan. I tried changing the direction of the fan first then turning it on and still nothing. But whenever I turn the power on the motor behind the handle is still going.

adjust the thermostat to start or stop the fan
SCVJeff
Explorer
Feb 07, 2015
This is a stupid question, but have you bothered to call the factory? Fantastic Fan is the poster child for what customer service is supposed to be.
yolo6886
Explorer
Feb 07, 2015
Just by opening and closing it I got it to run. So I'm pretty sure the plunger switch is the culprit. I plan on calling them for a replacement.
ScottG
Nomad
Feb 07, 2015
SCVJeff wrote:
This is a stupid question, but have you bothered to call the factory? Fantastic Fan is the poster child for what customer service is supposed to be.

They used to be but not so much anymore since they were bought out by Atwood.
HappyKayakers
Explorer
Feb 07, 2015
ScottG wrote:
SCVJeff wrote:
This is a stupid question, but have you bothered to call the factory? Fantastic Fan is the poster child for what customer service is supposed to be.

They used to be but not so much anymore since they were bought out by Atwood.

Actually, I just called them last week. They are still very helpful even though some warranty terms have changed.

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