Forum Discussion

Grit_dog's avatar
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 25, 2016

03 AF camper "mystery fan" running.

So I got the ole camper packed away in the shop For a long winters nap. It's plugged in currently, Everything is off. Fridge, heater, pump, etc.
in the shop, I can hear a small motor or fan cycling on and off maybe at 1 minute intervals, but not all the time. Coming from right front area down low. Can't hear it noticeably from fridge vents outside but it's down in that corner. Camper is pinned in where I can't run the slide out or get to that compartment under the step up in front.
WTH is it? Cooling fan on the charger/inverter?
Never recall it on the old 05 AF and never heard it last winter or any other time that I recall.
Also didn't hear it yesterday, but last weekend it was cycling when I was in the shop.
Truck Campers
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Sep 26, 2016
    bigfootford wrote:
    An 03 Arctic Fox should have either a Progressive Dynamics or a WFCO converter in it.

    Progressive dynamics fans run according to internal temperature created by charging. Even if load goes away and the fan has been running it will take a while for the PD to cool down enough to shut down the fan.

    WFCO's fan runs as current demand goes up. Sometimes you can hear the WFCO's fan start up and stop as the charge current or load gets between 5 and 10 amps.... Very annoying to folks that are sensitive to noises like fans n stuff..

    Jim


    Thank you!
    Thought it had to be the converter as that's the only component that can make noise where it was coming from besides the water pump.
    Apparently I have the Progressive converter because there was no load, just charging.
    Like I said, can't get to that compartment because I can't run the slide out where it's parked.
    Thanks again for the info!
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Sep 26, 2016
    Hemi Joel wrote:
    My 06 AF has a fan that circulates air into the basement to keep the tanks from freezing. I assume that it is somehow tied to the furnace circuit, but I'm not sure. Could that be it?


    My old 05 model had that. The 03 I don't believe has it. I'm familiar with that circulation fan and that's actually what I though of first, and yes if it's working properly it switches on with the furnace.
  • Vinsil's avatar
    Vinsil
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2016
    They are operated off the furnace, mine just blows air in so not sure if some have a separate fan or not.
  • bigfootford's avatar
    bigfootford
    Nomad II
    Sep 26, 2016
    Hemi Joel wrote:
    My 06 AF has a fan that circulates air into the basement to keep the tanks from freezing. I assume that it is somehow tied to the furnace circuit, but I'm not sure. Could that be it?


    OP needs to isolate where the fan noise is coming from, we can not help him with that... Good suggestion though.. Not sure if the earlier AF's had basement fans...

    OP needs to locate his converter and the make... Then he will know how that internal fan of the converters work...and will be able to listen to it next time the fan noise occurs.

    I am not knowledgeable about the AF basement fan and what activates it.. Maybe someone that knows can offer that answer.

    Jim
  • Hemi_Joel's avatar
    Hemi_Joel
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2016
    My 06 AF has a fan that circulates air into the basement to keep the tanks from freezing. I assume that it is somehow tied to the furnace circuit, but I'm not sure. Could that be it?
  • bigfootford's avatar
    bigfootford
    Nomad II
    Sep 25, 2016
    An 03 Arctic Fox should have either a Progressive Dynamics or a WFCO converter in it.

    Progressive dynamics fans run according to internal temperature created by charging. Even if load goes away and the fan has been running it will take a while for the PD to cool down enough to shut down the fan.

    WFCO's fan runs as current demand goes up. Sometimes you can hear the WFCO's fan start up and stop as the charge current or load gets between 5 and 10 amps.... Very annoying to folks that are sensitive to noises like fans n stuff..

    Jim
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Sep 25, 2016
    Thanks, I'll ck the batteries but they're new as of a couple months ago so shouldn't be low on water. were checked when new.
    Now I haven't heard that fan any time I've been in the shop this week.
  • Steve_in_29's avatar
    Steve_in_29
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2016
    Check your batteries to make sure one hasn't gone bad causing the converter to try to charge it constantly.
  • Vinsil's avatar
    Vinsil
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2016
    downtheroad wrote:
    Grit dog wrote:

    WTH is it? Cooling fan on the charger/inverter?


    Yes....my guess.


    Yep, stick your head by the converter and you'll know.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Sep 25, 2016
    I definitely would check the fluid levels in the battery... The older Converter/battery single voltage chargers are known to boil out your fluids which may eventually result in a shorted cell in the battery...

    If it is the Converter fan kicking on alot something may be demanding more DC Current perhaps...

    Just a thought here...
    Roy Ken

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