Upgraded vent fan

[tinkeringtechie]

I replaced the stock "power vent fan" (Heng's Vortex) with a Fan-tastic vent fan:

[attachment id="126" thumbnail="1"]

The installation was just like any other vent. Go up on the roof, dig under the lap sealant to remove the screws (30 or so) then I used a thin plastic scraper to get under the lap sealant and cut through the butyl. Once I got one corner up I just had to pry the rest. The butyl alone could hold that thing on there. Here are some pics of the opening:



[attachment id="127" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="128" thumbnail="1"]


I cleaned up the sealant residue, put some fresh butyl down, screwed in the new fan, and used a whole tube of dicor to seal it. The roof was actually quite easy to work on and felt very stable. I didn't realize the roof was bare aluminum until I got up there.



The specific model was the "4000R", but I think they're in the middle of changing the model numbers because now it's called the 1250. It's one of the most basic versions with clear fan blades and a smoke cover. It's manual open, with three speeds and a reverse switch. Nothing fancy. It's much higher quality than the Vortex and is very quiet on low. If I had known the "power vent fan" was a Vortex I probably wouldn't have ordered it.

[tinkeringtechie]

Charlie had asked about the noise levels, so I thought I would post it here in case anyone else was curious.

Ambient noise: 17db
Stock fan (not the vortex, but the little "whizzer"): 38db
Fan-tastic low: 32db
Fan-tastic medium: 38db
Fan-tastic high: 43db

So basically the stock fan is as noisy as the fan-tastic is at medium. At that speed the fan-tastic is moving a pretty serious amount of air. Even standing below the stock fan I still couldn't feel a thing. All measurements were taken with an app on my phone while it was resting on the kitchen counter extension (half-way between the two vents).

[cl21bhs]

Did you screw the new fan into the original holes in the roof or just made new holes?
What type of screws did you use to screw the fan onto the roof and how many?
In your picture I see the power wire, is it a standard connection, just plug into new fan, or did you have to modify.
I am also thinking about this mod, probably will go with the Maxx Air, but first I have to get the Andersen wd hitch.

Thanks so much for the info, the pictures really make it seem like an easy project.

[tinkeringtechie]

[quote source="/post/1274/thread" timestamp="1401501236" author="@cl21bhs"]Did you screw the new fan into the original holes in the roof or just made new holes?
What type of screws did you use to screw the fan onto the roof and how many?
In your picture I see the power wire, is it a standard connection, just plug into new fan, or did you have to modify.
I am also thinking about this mod, probably will go with the Maxx Air, but first I have to get the Andersen wd hitch.

Thanks so much for the info, the pictures really make it seem like an easy project.[/quote]The new fan holes didn't line up with the old one, so I had to make new ones. I actually re-used the screws from the old fan as they were still in perfect condition and looked higher quality than the screws provided with the fan. They are square drive self-tappers. I think the new fan only used 20 or so because I had a bunch left over. The wires don't have any plugs (old or new). You just need to cut and splice (disconnect your battery first). I used waterproof twist locks, but the factory used "quick splice" type connectors. Quick splice would be fine, I just didn't have any on hand and having a waterproof connection can't hurt being so close to the elements. I taped it up really good so it wouldn't rattle or move around.

I've never seen the Maxx Air fans in person, but they seem just as good (or better) than the fan-tastic models.

I wouldn't say it was "easy" since it's kinda messy, but it only takes a few hours to complete with minimal tools.

[aznighthiker]

My brother installed a Fantastic fan on his 01 Coleman Utah and when he purchased a Casita travel trailer I believe he had one installed on his camper. The folks at LivinLite should offer this as an option.

[farmboy]

I think it is; I have seen Fantastic Fans on Camplites at the local dealer; I don't think it was a dealer installed fan.   I know that LivinLite offers a "HIgh powered fan/vent" as a $69.00 option.  Standard fan is described as a "power air-mover fan".    You Tube videos of the Camplites often show them with Fantastic Fans.      

[tinkeringtechie]

[quote source="/post/1285/thread" timestamp="1401550626" author="@farmboy"]I think it is; I have seen Fantastic Fans on Camplites at the local dealer; I don't think it was a dealer installed fan.   I know that LivinLite offers a "HIgh powered fan/vent" as a $69.00 option.  Standard fan is described as a "power air-mover fan".    You Tube videos of the Camplites often show them with Fantastic Fans.      [/quote]It wasn't when I ordered a few months ago. The "high powered fan/vent" is the Heng's Vortex that I removed.

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/1285/thread" timestamp="1401550626" author="@farmboy"]I think it is; I have seen Fantastic Fans on Camplites at the local dealer; I don't think it was a dealer installed fan.   I know that LivinLite offers a "HIgh powered fan/vent" as a $69.00 option.  Standard fan is described as a "power air-mover fan".    You Tube videos of the Camplites often show them with Fantastic Fans.      [/quote][font size="3"][font face="arial"]When I was at the dealer ordering my Camplite I asked to have a Fantastic installed. I would have gladly paid the difference in the material cost; the labor would have been the same. He got on the phone with LL and it took them 3 hours to conclude they (LL) had never heard of Fantastic Vents. The multi-bladed fans you see[/font] in YouTube ads, and even referred to as Fantastic Fans, are not. See posts by Tinkeringtechie. Heng's Vortex appears to be about 2/3 the price of a true Fantastic fan.
[/font]

[farmboy]

This is why I joined this site; to get the facts about Camplites from folks who have purchased them and who use them.  Thanks.   Perhaps Fantastic Fans will be an option by the time I am ready to place my order.  

[peislander]

[quote source="/post/1291/thread" timestamp="1401567817" author="@charliem"][quote source="/post/1285/thread" timestamp="1401550626" author="@farmboy"]I think it is; I have seen Fantastic Fans on Camplites at the local dealer; I don't think it was a dealer installed fan.   I know that LivinLite offers a "HIgh powered fan/vent" as a $69.00 option.  Standard fan is described as a "power air-mover fan".    You Tube videos of the Camplites often show them with Fantastic Fans.      [/quote][font size="3"][font face="arial"]When I was at the dealer ordering my Camplite I asked to have a Fantastic installed. I would have gladly paid the difference in the material cost; the labor would have been the same. He got on the phone with LL and it took them 3 hours to conclude they (LL) had never heard of Fantastic Vents. The multi-bladed fans you see[/font] in YouTube ads, and even referred to as Fantastic Fans, are not. See posts by Tinkeringtechie. Heng's Vortex appears to be about 2/3 the price of a true Fantastic fan.
[/font][/quote]When I ordered my Camplite in May 2012 I had the factory install two branded Fan-tastic Vent Fans (main cabin + wet bath) so they certainly knew what what they are. Makes me wonder who Charliem's dealer coordinated with at LivinLite?

[charliem]

[font size="3"]I've always wondered about that. Maybe M. Mouse was substituting on the order desk that day. In any case I've got three Fantastic Fans now and they're great.
[/font]

[daplumbr]

For $72, I just "upgraded" one of the single speed Heng's Vortex fans (living room) to a 3 speed reversible Heng's Vortex fan. It's MUCH better to have 3 speeds and I like the 2 speeds in reverse. On low it's fairly quiet and medium is ok too. High is the same noisy fan as the single speed. All the speeds move a noticeable amount of air. It was very easy, requiring no roof work and only about 30 minutes inside to unscrew the garnish and fan support, splice in the 2 wires, and screw it back on. However, it's the same low quality feel, marginally balanced fan, and questionable efficiency as the original single speed. So, I would recommend this route only for those as lazy as me and who don't want to mess with the roof on a newish trailer. At the very least, it would be nice if LL supplied this slight upgrade as standard for the vent fans so that we'd have a 3 speed/reversible switch from the factory. 

[whoofit]

[p]Just did the lower Model 1200 transparent smoked glass Fanstastic fan. They are calling it the Create-A-Breeze at Camping World. Good price a few weeks back at $98. Really like how it doubles as a mini skylight and the flow from one is sufficient in the 16'er. Getting that airplane sound out of the kitchen area is welcomed. Just crack the small kitchen window and there is a large draw of the cooking smoke and steam out the vent. The power specs are right on using the battery monitor too.

Gonna reverse polarity with a switch to allow inflow, maybe. No hurry though.[/p][p]
[/p][p]I went with putty tape instead of butyl and 1.25 tubes of Dicor SL. The convex profile of the roof is more pronounced than it appears at first. Felt putty nestled better there.[/p]

[peislander]

If you put high capacity fans in both the bath and cabin it provides lots of flexibility. With a window or door open you can turn both fans on full and really move a serious amount of air quickly. Perfect for cooling down a hot closed up trailer upon arriving at the campsite. Each Fan-tastic Vent fan in my little C11FDB will move up to 920 cfm. With them both operating in the same direction that's 1,840 cfm of ventilation -- enough to very quickly cool down the cabin to ambient temperatures. In comparison to that 1,840 cfm note that most residential bathroom exhaust fans run at between 50 and 110 cfm). You can also keep the windows and door closed and have one fan blowing in and the other exhausting which works really well at the lowest speed setting --- better and quieter than a single fan operating at a higher speed to get equivalent performance.

By the way, I'd imagine that 1,840 cfm is likely more than enough to do a pressure test like some rv manufactures do to find leaks as part of their quality control. They pressurize the cabin (usually with a special fan fitted to the door opening) and then wet down the exterior with soapy water then inspect for where air escaping is creating bubbles. Bubbles = a hole where air is getting out -- or where water can get in.

[tincan]

Put the high end Fantastic-Fan in my last trailer, close to $200 when all said and done.  like 8 speeds, automatic opening and closing, rain sensor, temp setting for auto on and off function, power open and close as well as manual open/close. Remote from couch!

Man is it nice! Again easy to install, just as mentioned in thread above.  Simple DIY project, a drill, some dicore sealant, a putty knife, and a little time.  Because the wires are behind the inside cowl/trim piece, it should see no rain ever, so I just used regular wire nuts.

Happy fan install.