Forum Discussion

whizbang's avatar
whizbang
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2017

Rainy Day Fantastic Fan Installation Blunder???

Did I goof up?

I hopped up on the camper in what passes for a dry day in Seattle --- only a slow drizzle, and removed the roof vent and installed a Fantastic Fan Vent.

Prior to starting, I glanced at the instructions which showed a gasket under the flange. I assumed the "gasket" was butyl tape, which is what I used.

When I got finished, I realized the foam packing material was stamped out in a square pattern and the foam was, in fact, the gasket referred to in the installation drawing.

Am I okay or did I blow it?, buytl tape instead of OEM foam gasket??
Truck Campers

9 Replies

  • Sloop_Smitten's avatar
    Sloop_Smitten
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2017
    I installed a Fantastic Fan last week and, going by the You Tube video I referenced, I installed the foam gasket between the ceiling and the trim piece inside the RV. I did not see any directions relating to its use. I used butyl tape between the roof and the fan flange and placed Eternabond tape over the edges and screw holes. Can't imagine that foam gasket providing much protection against leaking.
    This is the You tube video I referenced.
  • kohldad's avatar
    kohldad
    Explorer III
    Apr 24, 2017
    I think you did yourself a favor.

    I used the foam gasket and had a leak.

    I used dicor and had a leak.

    I used dicor and ha a leak.

    I used butyl tape and it's been fine ever since. After about a week of letting the tape quit oozing, covered the screws and seam with a dicor self leveling. The dicor cracked after a couple of years, but part of my annual routing is to paint the dicor seams with an rubber paint which fills in the cracks.
  • AnEv942's avatar
    AnEv942
    Nomad
    Apr 24, 2017
    Agree. You actually did a better job not using the foam gasket and using the butyt tape.
    On a drier day unless you had, didnt mention, should caulk the screws and perimeter.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Apr 24, 2017
    That foam gasket serves no purpose other than to create a place for a leak.
    I installed two FF's 13 years ago on my TT without the silly foam things and they are still water tight.
    Your good to go!
  • work2much's avatar
    work2much
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2017
    I didn't use the foam. Just the butyl tape and a thick layer of dicor. No way this will leak if the dicor was applied well.
  • whizbang's avatar
    whizbang
    Explorer II
    Apr 24, 2017
    I did exactly as d3500ram describes.... I tightened up the screws, then let it rest and ooze, then caulked it (screw heads and flange edge) with Geocel Proflex RV sealant.
  • d3500ram's avatar
    d3500ram
    Explorer III
    Apr 24, 2017
    If in question just pookie it up with some Dicor or similar.

    Whenever I do repairs (replacement or otherwise) I use butyl and sealant.) Let the butyl seep or push out and trim it off and then pookie it up with sealant.
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Apr 24, 2017
    I think you are fine. Good luck with yours, I'm on my 3rd motor and fan assembly. FF (Lippert) warrants them no issue but the motor is a sealed (welded case) so when it poops, there is nothing to even look at..except a new assembly. It's not an easy replacement either (when done from the inside because the mount screws face upward, not downward.

    Hope yours runs okay.

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