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Topic: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement (Read 1098 times) previous topic - next topic
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fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
I'm thinking about replacing the original bathroom fan. It's loud and squeaks ever so often. I've got a fantastic fan in the rear that came w/ the rig. I think I remember someone saying the newer fantastic fans have a different motor than old ones, pancake vs soup can, and the older motor was better. I don't have any experience w/ the maxxair, but I've seen youtube videos that show them and they look interesting. Being able to run while it's raining being one advantage.

Has anyone had experience w/ both of them?

Also has anyone replaced the bathroom fan? I image it's going to take forever to get the old surround off that's on the roof. I'm hoping the oscillating tool will be able to help get it out.

Thanks in advance

Sean
2001 MB
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #1 –
Quote from: henness  - 

Has anyone had experience w/ both of them?
Also has anyone replaced the bathroom fan? I imagine it's going to take forever to get the old surround off that's on the roof. I'm hoping the oscillating tool will be able to help get it out.

Maxxairs are nice, and they come with a cover. The Fantastic Fans can be used in the rain if an optional cover is installed.
The newer Fanaststic use a flat, pancake motor that is louder than the old soup-can motor. I have tried three of the new, pancake motors and all three squeak slightly when in the exhaust mode, and perfectly quiet in the opposite position.
If the location of the allows for the extra length, I would try a Maxxiar.

An oscillating tool, with a very sharp chisel blade, will cut through the old polyurethane without excessive effort.

Larry

Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #2 –

I very much like the Fantastic fan in our TK. My daughter has a Maxair in her van. I see the advantage of the integrated hood keeping rain out living in the NW.

The Fantastic fan is great for circulating  air. Figured it was over kill for the bath. I went with this easy swap that doesn't require the removal of the sealed in vent.

Amazon.com: Heng's 90043-CR Replacement Vortex I Fan: Automotive

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Steve
2003TK
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #3 –
"Has anyone had experience w/ both of them?"

Indeed I have!

My first steps into the world of fans was when, shortly after delivery in '04, I replaced the chintzy bathroom fan with a Fantastic and added another to the rear vent. Sweet, life is good.

Quite some time later (for reasons I do not now remember) I replaced those two with MaxxAirs and then over time added more MaxxAirs until I now have five, one in every vent. For my money the MaxxAir is the better fan! It is substantially quieter than the Fantastic, particularly at higher speeds. And, as has been noted, they come with an integral rain cover, which can be locked in an open position while underway.

My most recent experience just last month was the 2nd replacement of the rear vent fan. It had stopped working, for reasons I believe were likely. However, my RV Guru said that it was not worth the hassle to repair the old appliance but rather cheaper and easier to replace it. And here's the kicker, he was able to replace the blade and motor assembly from inside the coach and did not have to break the flange seal on the roof.  :o 

So, once again a happy camper!   ;D   ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
The newer Fanastic use a flat, pancake motor that is louder than the old soup-can motor. I have tried three of the new, pancake motors and all three squeak slightly when in the exhaust mode, and perfectly quiet in the opposite position.
It's the other way around in my Lazy Daze - squeaking kind of loudly when blowing air in, not squeaking (but still kind of loud) when blowing air out.

I find it quite outrageous that Fantastic sells such poor quality fans for their high prices.

Klaus
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #5 –
"I find it quite outrageous that Fantastic sells such poor quality fans for their high prices."
---
Fantastic Fan was bought by Dometic a few years ago; before the ownership change, FF had a very good reputation for quality products and responsive customer service. All change is not progress.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Klaus  - 
I find it quite outrageous that Fantastic sells such poor quality fans for their high prices.

Actually, the fans and their motors are very high quality - I can testify to that having disassembled more than one motor. The bearings are sealed ball bearing that are quiet and maintenance free. But they do squeak. The only internal contact is the brushes, so this is the source of the noise. My assumption is that the brush material was chosen for longevity, and they are thus harder than more typical carbon brushes, but the added friction is what allows the squeaking noise. The motors do certainly last a very long time - our bath fan has been running almost continuously for day after day, year after year, with no sign of impending failure. On disassembly, once the brush dust is blown out, there seems to be lots of life left. But they may squeak - an engineering compromise, not a quality issue. I don't like the noise either...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #7 –
Steve beat me to what I was going to suggest.  Take a look at  Heng's 90043-CR Replacement Vortex I Fan.  I wanted a fan in my trailer, but did not want to do any roof work.  This fan fit right in the existing vent, and while it might not be quite the fantastic or Maxx, it's pretty darn good and doesn't require any roof work, not to mention quite a difference in price.

Rich - former 2000 MB - Birch Bay, WA
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #8 –
I forgot to mention, it comes in 2 varieties, a single speed or a 3 speed reversible.  I chose the 3 speed, and while the speed control is not state of the art, there are a couple of youtube vids on replacing it with a solid state control for a couple of bucks.
Rich
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Steve  - 
Actually, the fans and their motors are very high quality - I can testify to that having disassembled more than one motor. The bearings are sealed ball bearing that are quiet and maintenance free. But they do squeak. The only internal contact is the brushes, so this is the source of the noise. My assumption is that the brush material was chosen for longevity, and they are thus harder than more typical carbon brushes, but the added friction is what allows the squeaking noise. The motors do certainly last a very long time - our bath fan has been running almost continuously for day after day, year after year, with no sign of impending failure. On disassembly, once the brush dust is blown out, there seems to be lots of life left. But they may squeak - an engineering compromise, not a quality issue. I don't like the noise either...

Like Steve, I have disassembled a couple of the pancake motors and found the noise is the sound the brushes rubbing the commutator. It's strange, it only makes noise in one direction of rotation, unfortunately, the direction we normally use.
I replace the badly worn motor in our 2003 last year, the older 'soup can' motors are obsolete, only the flat motors are available.
Fantastic sent me two replacement motors and both make the same noise. I guess I should take one apart again and see if the brushes can be reversed or if the commutator needs turning.

Larry

 
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Steve  - 
... they may squeak - an engineering compromise, not a quality issue.

With all due respect - I find it ridiculous to sell RVers a squeaking-by-design fan for their living room and claim "quiet operation" for it. I consider this to be poor engineering resulting in poor quality.

Klaus
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #11 –
Like Larry, after 20+ years my fantastic fan works very well. I've used it daily and through the night often. I have replaced the internal garnish, and the vent cover. I did have a problem with the pivot pin for the cover raising mechanism. Loctite has fixed the problem where the pin would work its way out.  I've not had any squeeking problems yet. I also upgraded the screen to a snap in. That allows easy removal of bugs or leaves, and cleaning of the fan blades.
     The speed control on anything but high, doesn't save battery power, rather an external resistive coil of nichrome wire just wastes heat into the airstream.  Larry did the research to replace the motor controller with a RioRand electronic pulse width controller. Thanks Larry!  The new controller allows the motor to run very slowly all night with very low power usage or noise.
      Included are some pictures:    The first picture shows the new controller wired in and running the fan, the potentiometer speed adjustment is hanging at the bottom.
      Picture #2 shows the controller 'shoehorned' into place. The bad news is the heatsinks are 'Live' and have to be isolated from ground. So insulating pieces of plastic and nylon grommets (not there yet) had to be installed.
       I thought I had a picture of the completed assembly, so I'll take one and add it today.     RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #12 –
Both fans in my 2003 are original soup can motors; is the newer "pancake" motor in the FF a Dometic design/parts change? What advantage, if any, does the pancake motor offer? Cheaper to manufacture? Other?
2003 TK has a new home
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #13 –
Quote from: Joan  - 
Both fans in my 2003 are original soup can motors; is the newer "pancake" motor in the FF a Dometic design/parts change? What advantage, if any, does the pancake motor offer? Cheaper to manufacture? Other?

Probably cheaper, Our original motor that was replaced has many thousands of hours of operation, it runs a good portion of the summer, to keep the interior temps from going out of sight. After 16 years, the originals soup can motor's bearings were badly worn and rattling, when running.
The new motor comes with a different fan assembly that allows the fan to be unscrewed and removed from below for cleaning, the blades get very dirty with hundreds of hours of spinning.
If I could fix the squeak, it would be fine.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #14 –
Quote from: 73gitane  - 
The Fantastic fan is great for circulating  air. Figured it was over kill for the bath. I went with this easy swap that doesn't require the removal of the sealed in vent.

Amazon.com: Heng's 90043-CR Replacement Vortex I Fan: Automotive

I'm glad I did a search and found this thread on fans.

Yesterday, while my RV was parked in front of my house I was arranging, cleaning, and loading items.  It was about 1,000 degrees inside and while working in the bathroom I turned on the fan.  The blades were so brittle that it broke into a zillion tiny pieces.  Rather than replace just the blade on the fan (which is pretty lame), I think I'm going to opt for this as a replacement and get one for the middle (by the wardrobe) as well.  I have a Fantastic Fan in the rear where the sofas are.

If you have this brand, are you still happy with the performance?  I just can't see paying a lot of money for a Fantastic Fan or a Maxx Air one for something I rarely use. 

Since I have ZERO mechanical skills, it looks like one more trip to the RV repair shop for the installation before I leave. 

 Amazon.com: Hengs Industiries - 90046-CR Vortex II Replacement Fan Kit...
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #15 –
Quote from: desertdivanm  - 
If you have this brand, are you still happy with the performance?  I just can't see paying a lot of money for a Fantastic Fan or a Maxx Air one for something I rarely use. 

Since I have ZERO mechanical skills, it looks like one more trip to the RV repair shop for the installation before I leave. 

 Amazon.com: Hengs Industiries - 90046-CR Vortex II Replacement Fan Kit...

This fan is smaller than the FF family, so the bezel is larger, and both that and the blade are opaque. So, much less illumination from the vent opening, which you will likely miss. Know nothing about this fan's performance as a fan.

Steve
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #16 –
I think a fantastic fan in the bathroom is overkill.   You can get a good basic fan for under $100 that will work just fine.   
2003 Lazy Daze 26.5 MidBath
Professional Virtual Tour Photographers
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #17 –
Quote from: John N Cindy  - 
I think a fantastic fan in the bathroom is overkill.  You can get a good basic fan for under $100 that will work just fine.

Powerful roof fans, throughout the coach, are worth their weight in gold when it's is hot.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #18 –
"Powerful roof fans, throughout the coach, are worth their weight in gold..."

And it was that very wisdom that prompted me to install MaxxAir powered fans in all five of my roof vents!   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #19 –
I put a FF in my RB bathroom 3-4 year ago to replace the small fan which seamed as loud but moved much less air.  I almost never run the fans on any but lowest speed unless smoke alarms going off from cooking.  I question if they really move that much more air on higher speeds (mine all have covers which may limit air flow a bit).  Not sure how big of a deal the wasteful speed control resister thing is, but the idea of running even much slower with a PWM controller sounds appealing, though I may never get around to it and it sounds potentially more failure prone.
Jay Carlson
2003  LD RB
2005 Bigfoot 40MH35LX
rvingjaygwynne.wordpress.com
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #20 –
Quote from: Jay Carlson  - 
I put a FF in my RB bathroom 3-4 year ago to replace the small fan which seamed as loud but moved much less air.  I almost never run the fans on any but lowest speed unless smoke alarms going off from cooking.  I question if they really move that much more air on higher speeds (mine all have covers which may limit air flow a bit).  Not sure how big of a deal the wasteful speed control resister thing is, but the idea of running even much slower with a PWM controller sounds appealing, though I may never get around to it and it sounds potentially more failure prone.
 "...unless smoke alarms going off from cooking."

Because of that issue, in our 30', I moved the smoke alarm from the ceiling by the entry door forward to the ceiling above the end of the couch. No more false alarms.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #21 –
Quote from: Chris Horst  - 
"...unless smoke alarms going off from cooking."

Because of that issue, in our 30', I moved the smoke alarm from the ceiling by the entry door forward to the ceiling above the end of the couch. No more false alarms.

Chris


Why do such posts show on email as...

 "...unless smoke alarms going off from cooking."

Because of that issue, in our 30', I moved the smoke alarm from
the ceiling by the entry door forward to the ceiling
above the end of the couch. No more false alarms.

Charles

Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #22 –
Charles,

Turning on HTML formatting (or turnIng off text only formatting) when reading emails in your email app will clear up your problem.  &nbsp is HTML coding for Non-breaking Space (white space) and &amp is HTML coding for ampersand.

- John

Edit: If your email app has a “Rich Text” setting, try turning it on/off too.
John & Cathy enjoying life with our 2021 Mid-Bath, 1996 Cherokee and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #23 –
Quote from: Chris Horst  - 
...  in our 30', I moved the smoke alarm from the ceiling by the entry door forward to the ceiling above the end of the couch. No more false alarms.
I adjusted some of my recipes to begin with
Quote
Take down alarm, remove battery. . .
Joel & Terry Wiley
2013  31 IB   ORWAN   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: fantastic fan vs maxxair and bathroom fan replacement
Reply #24 –

,For Jay, or anyone else that wants to upgrade their Fantastic Fan to a pulse width controller, This unit is what Larry recommended. Rated for up to 90 volts and 15 amps, the FFan motor is way under the limits of the controller.  So the heat sink probably doesn't get too hot. It allows me to run the fan very slowly, much quieter.    Amazon.com: RioRandâ„¢ Upgraded 6V-90V 15A DC Motor Pump Speed Controller:...   At $14, it should be very reliable.                 RonB

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB