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ken_burke's avatar
ken_burke
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013

Fantastic Fan will not Operate

All . . . . . Our 2 year old Fantastic Fan 8100TS is not working. I have checked it out best I can, and have one discussion w the Fan people. Really not much help from them.

I think that the fan motor may be bad. OR the 12 VDC IS to the fan, but the fan won't work because of an open ground. This unit has a terrible design, in that the ground signal has to go from the fan, thru the cover plunger, thru the ON/OFF switch, and thru to speed selecter switch. Hogwash.

Is there some way that I can shortcircut the ground from the fan to see if that will alow the fan to run?

How to check out the fan motor?

I am to the point where I may install a new fan that has a better design. Anyone out there that replaced the Fantastic Fan? What model?

As a last resort, I will go to an RV delear.

thanks ken
  • bgum's avatar
    bgum
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    Spray that cover plunger with some WD40. That has been a problem in many cases here.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    Just in case the WD-40 trick does not work...


    Unless the motor was operating 24/730 or jammed and left switched on, it is improbable that the motor wore out or broke. Do yourself a favor and connect a 12-volt test light wire clip end to the ground wire bitter end where it runs into the rig, then touch the test light tip to the power inlet. Got power?

    I wonder if the Roof vents and the Endless Breeze models use the same motor?
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jun 03, 2013
    You might also pull down the inside cover and look closely. On mine it did not work after installing a new roof. Turned out to be one of the wires from thermostat was not connected. While your there you can trace the 12VDC and ground to be sure you actually have 12VDC up there. Good chances you dont. Did you actually check the fuse???
  • 64thunderbolt's avatar
    64thunderbolt
    Explorer II
    Jun 03, 2013
    I had to replace the directional switch on both of mine. I just called them they had a lifetimr warranty. BUT!!!!! Camco has bought Fantastic Fan. Closing the Mich plant & moving to Indiana. Not sure if the lifetime warranty is still good. I was told this when I got my new switches a few months ago.
  • robatthelake's avatar
    robatthelake
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2013
    There is NO Better Design! There is nothing that goes wrong with them that can't be fixed!
  • ken_burke's avatar
    ken_burke
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2013
    64thunderbolt wrote:
    I had to replace the directional switch on both of mine. I just called them they had a lifetimr warranty. BUT!!!!! Camco has bought Fantastic Fan. Closing the Mich plant & moving to Indiana. Not sure if the lifetime warranty is still good. I was told this when I got my new switches a few months ago.


    What do you mean by "directional switch"? Is that the speed switch. How can you tell when it is bad? Did it look okay phicially?, or burned a bit? I think that the speed switch may be bad, and I have to check it today.
    ken
  • ken_burke's avatar
    ken_burke
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2013
    donn0128 wrote:
    You might also pull down the inside cover and look closely. On mine it did not work after installing a new roof. Turned out to be one of the wires from thermostat was not connected. While your there you can trace the 12VDC and ground to be sure you actually have 12VDC up there. Good chances you dont. Did you actually check the fuse???


    Yes, the fuse is okay. As I understand it, the only thing that the thermostat does is open and close the lid. It does not have anything else to do with power to the motor. When the lid opens, the plunger switch opens and completes the ground to the motor.
    I have a good fantastic fan electrical diagram that I will try to send to you later.

    ken
  • ken_burke's avatar
    ken_burke
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2013
    64thunderbolt wrote:
    It is a very simple design and easy to diagnose and repair.


    Taint, taint. I am not an electrican, but I have having problems locating the problem with the fan. The really bad part of the design is the plunger switch that has to open which completes the ground to the motor. It is not very realiable. That type of design with out with the Flintstones.

    I have a good electrical schematic of the fantastic fan. I will try to send it to everone today or tomorrow. Or, you can call the fantastic people and they will email you one.

    ken

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