Fantastic fan KAPUT need some info

[Harleybullet]

Went out to cleanup AF 1150 TC today and the fantastic fan not working. It seems like a simple fix which usually turns out to be a nightmare. Any one out there that can walk me thru it or give some tips would be appreciated.

A few simple question first.. do you need access to the outside roof (have maxi cover on it now) or can it be done just from the interior?

Cannot find the fuse for it any where (any hints where it might be?)

Any ideas for the best place to get one?

Wiring simple ?

Dave

[jimbow2]

Just found this topic. Maybe help or not but mine has been intermittent for couple years and last fall fuse cap fell out so ordered another fuse holder. No work after putting in new holder ; hmm so dear old you tube. They suggested ground wire on top of blades and under cover...... got wrench and slightly turned nut of ground. BINGO. Has been working like charm since. Just a thought.

[jimbow2]

Just found this topic. Maybe help or not but mine has been intermittent for couple years and last fall fuse cap fell out so ordered another fuse holder. No work after putting in new holder ; hmm so dear old you tube. They suggested ground wire on top of blades and under cover...... got wrench and slightly turned nut of ground. BINGO. Has been working like charm since. Just a thought.

[Harleybullet]

Thanks guys.....you did good Dave

[dhull]

My 3 speed fantastic fan has a 4 amp fuse at the fan. Love the thing but wish it was variable speed.

[bigfootford]

On high both the Fantastic fan and Surflo pull a bit less than 4 each... 5 like Joe suggested will work.

Jim

[Joe417]

Ours has a 7 amp for that circuit with 12 awg wire. Conservatively, 4 or 5 should handle it since you have a dedicated circuit. I haven't looked up what the fan actually pulls. I'll look next time I'm out at the camper and let you know if there is something small at the fan.

[Harleybullet]

OK... I have the fan hot wired but would like to put an inline fuse.... anyone know what size fuse should be used?

Dvae

[Joe417]

Harleybullet, it may be an open circuit but I wouldn't think it was a short unless you see a blown fuse in the fuse box.

In my AF990, which is an '05 also, there are 2 light circuits. I call them left and right light circuits but they power the overhead lights and both fans. In addition, each circuit has a GFI. If a GFI is set, that will turn off one of the fans. One GFI is above the sink on the bottom of the upper cabinets. The other is on the side of the cabinet at the step, I think. I'm not looking at it so not positive of location. But there are 2 GFIs. Check them. Yours may be similar.

I too had the Sureflow with both the problems you and Bigfootford were having. I found the slide potentiometer was flakey. Sometimes wouldn't come on at all. I ordered a $3 pulse width modulator speed control through ebay and replaced the original board. Much better controller than the original. Stopped the click that sometimes occurred also.

[bigfootford]

Harleybullet wrote:
OK guys you were right it is a Shurflow.....I hot wired it from the adjoining light and it works....I am assuming there is a short in one of the wires in the chase....thanks to all. Dave

Great.....

I believe that the Surflow design is superior to the fantastic fan, especially with that variable speed. It also can move more volume of air per amp! Blade design!

Yes the motor has trouble. Biggest is that it chirps/clicks at times. It also can thermal out with heat. It has a auto resettable breaker internally. The lid is black...hahahaaa... I did a temperature check at about 3/4 speed.... 100 deg day.... the motor will thermal out.

My motor was chirping so under warranty I got another motor. The new motor chirped/clicked too.

I wondered why so I took apart the motor expecting to see needle bearings instead of balls for the armature. NOPE, Ball bearings.... to this day I do not have a clue why it will chirp sometimes. Sometimes it will run all day.

Another problem is that the motor at times will not start. Both motors do this. I believe this is due to the spacing of the commutator contacts. So moving the fan just a bit CCW or CW and off it goes.. Pain in the Butt.

I did reverse engineer the circuit that controls the speed... It actually steps/pulses the voltage via an op amp and associated circuitry.... Just like the speed controls for RC electric motors. The speed control knob just varies the input voltage to the op amp.



So that's my story.....

I believe Surflow discontinued the product because of the motor issues...w

Jim

[Harleybullet]

OK guys you were right it is a Shurflow.....I hot wired it from the adjoining light and it works....I am assuming there is a short in one of the wires in the chase....thanks to all. Dave

[wnjj]

Harleybullet wrote:
Bigfootford may have hit on it ... I have to check but it might be a Schurflow, I have to check that Sunday. Thanks will let you know

Dave

Good luck if it turns out you have one. Plenty of threads out there with failed Shurflo fan motors. 😞

[Harleybullet]

Bigfootford may have hit on it ... I have to check but it might be a Schurflow, I have to check that Sunday. Thanks will let you know

Dave

[joerg68]

With our FF, it was the cover switch - as many have already said. The switch turns the fan off when the cover is closed. When it sticks or is otherwise inop, the fan never comes on. It can be bypassed with a piece of wire to check operation. It is a simple mechanical switch that is depressed when you lower the cover. And fails often, as the answers suggest...

[Bob__B]

Yep, that's it.