Vortex 2 replacement fan

pawpaw47 wrote:
I was going to replace my bathroom vent fan with a Fantastic Fan, but then I came across the Vortex 2 replacement fan. Has anyone replaced their bathroom fan with one of these? It sure looks like an easier install and it's much less expensive. Everything is done from the inside of the TT instead of having to remove the entire old unit from the roof.

It's easy to do, I replaced both of mine with the single speed model and added a PWM and a reversing switch. Now I have full control of speed forward and reverse. The model you are considering uses resistors for speed control which is less efficient and costs more.

I agree, it looks like a very simple install. Can the Vortex be left on 24/7 while the trailer is in storage to provide air circulation? I have 120 volt power available to keep the battery charged.

Lynnmor wrote:
...I replaced both of mine with the single speed model and added a PWM and a reversing switch....

Same here except I did not add reversing capability, I decided reversing was unneeded for our application. It was a great mod, we love it.

I installed the Heng's Vortex II fan on 2 different trailers. Once installed they worked well and move lots of air.

The first install was real easy. All done from the inside with a screwdriver.

The second install was not easy because the Vortex II was not compatible with the roof vent that was installed by the RV manufacturer.

Look carefully at the installation instructions to make sure it will work with your roof vent. On my second install I had to replace the entire roof vent first. Up on the roof, remove, scrape sealant off, replace with new vent, and put on new dicor sealant.

One other potential downside is the Vortex II uses a big resistor to slow the fan speed down; this won't be a problem when attached to shore power. But if you are running off your batteries, be aware that the fan will always consume full power, even when set to a lower speed setting. If you switch to a PWM controller you can reduce the power use, but if you do all that, you may as well get the Vortex I and upgrade with a PWM controller and a switch to reverse direction. Same end result with lower cost.

Ed

like you and not wanting to tear into the roof like I did with the Fantastic Fan I chose to put a VORTEX fan in the bathroom,It is a snap to do with very detailed instructions and it is multi speed and reversible.

Here is an earlier post that is really helpful.

I have left mine on for days at a time with no problems when plugged in.

Have replaced ours with the reversible mode. have not been able to go on the road yet but (easy install and do like the reversible mode as it could assist the fan over stove by pressurizing trailer during cooking or just help cool with the fantastic fan blowing out @ same time.)

pawpaw47 wrote:
I agree, it looks like a very simple install. Can the Vortex be left on 24/7 while the trailer is in storage to provide air circulation? I have 120 volt power available to keep the battery charged.

If you have a vent cover (Maxxair type cover) that will keep the rain out, then you could leave it on 24/7. However, the fan has a metal screen that slowly gets clogged with dust when used. It is not too hard to clean the screen but it will need to be done to keep the air moving freely.

For storage, I have found if I just leave 2 or more roof vents open (assuming they have rain covers) there is adequate ventilation during storage without leaving the fan on.

Ed

I'll join in as another satisfied Vortex fan user! I really enjoyed the simple "retrofit" install, not requiring me to break the roof seal and remove the existing roof vent like the Fantastic does. I put an inexpensive $10 Camco vent cover over the outside of mine, keeps the rain and bugs out.

I haven't gotten around to it, but I did pick up a PWM + reverse gizmo from Amazon, to replace the built in resistors that come with the Vortex.

The fine mesh screen covering the blades clogs pretty quickly for me, mostly because I run it while cooking, and I think it's grease/smoke that's getting filtered on that screen. Soaking it for a while in some hot water + Dawn works.

Lynnmor wrote:

pawpaw47 wrote:
I was going to replace my bathroom vent fan with a Fantastic Fan, but then I came across the Vortex 2 replacement fan. Has anyone replaced their bathroom fan with one of these? It sure looks like an easier install and it's much less expensive. Everything is done from the inside of the TT instead of having to remove the entire old unit from the roof.

It's easy to do, I replaced both of mine with the single speed model and added a PWM and a reversing switch. Now I have full control of speed forward and reverse. The model you are considering uses resistors for speed control which is less efficient and costs more.

Is the Vortex decently quiet with the PWM while still moving a good amount of air? I love the simpler install of the V2 but the noise comparisons I've found online make it a non-option for me but if it still moves a decent amount of air at say 10V and is a lot quieter then I'll probably risk it given the cheaper price and easier install.

Some PWM's will cause the noise to increase, others will not. With the variable speed, the fan can be run at a speed that is acceptable and still deliver enough air. Since I have one fan over the bed and another near the opposite end, I often have one blowing in and the other blowing out which ventilates the trailer very well at low fan speeds.