Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

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Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

May 31, 2024, 05:16:42 pm

I have a 1990 mid bath with the original Fantastic vent in the bedroom. I've always been so grateful for what a difference that little fan makes but now that it's heating up and she stopped working, I'm really appreciating that fan more than ever!!

What's happening is if I turn the knob from zero to 1,2 or 3, the vent will open but the fan will not not spin. I've tried it both front to back and nothing.

I'm aware that the plunger on the roof is the usual culprit in a situation like this. I have depressed and released the plunger manually a bunch of times and confirmed that it moving freely.

I've also used a multimeter to confirm that I have power going to the forward/reverse switch.

Before I plunk down $$ to replace this vital summer component, I'm wondering if the forum has any ideas? Anything I mightve missed?

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #1 – May 31, 2024, 06:27:49 pm

"I have a 1990 mid bath with the original Fantastic vent in the bedroom."

MUSEME

In your vintage coach I seriously doubt that the fan is 'original', particularly a Fantastic!

As to the cause of your failure I'm sure others will have ideas for you to try.

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #2 – May 31, 2024, 06:33:46 pm

Quote from: MuseMe - May 31, 2024, 05:16:42 pm

I have a 1990 mid bath with the original Fantastic vent in the bedroom. I've always been so grateful for what a difference that little fan makes but now that it's heating up and she stopped working, I'm really appreciating that fan more than ever!!

What's happening is if I turn the knob from zero to 1,2 or 3, the vent will open but the fan will not not spin. I've tried it both front to back and nothing.

I'm aware that the plunger on the roof is the usual culprit in a situation like this. I have depressed and released the plunger manually a bunch of times and confirmed that it moving freely.

I've also used a multimeter to confirm that I have power going to the forward/reverse switch.

Before I plunk down $$ to replace this vital summer component, I'm wondering if the forum has any ideas? Anything I mightve missed?

Searching deeper, unscrew in the inter fan cover.
Using the voltmeter, check to see if the motor is receiving power when the vent is open and set on high speed,
If no power is found, the problem is something other than the motor.
Check for continuity across the plunger button when the vent is open.
The fuse holder can go bad, check for continuity across the fuse holder or try wiggling the cap holding the fuse in place.

Larry

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #3 – May 31, 2024, 06:45:45 pm

Quote from: Lazy Bones - May 31, 2024, 06:27:49 pm

"I have a 1990 mid bath with the original Fantastic vent in the bedroom."

MUSEME

In your vintage coach I seriously doubt that the fan is 'original', particularly a Fantastic!

As to the cause of your failure I'm sure others will have ideas for you to try.

Well, I am the second owner. The folks I bought it from did not replace it and neither did I. Thanks for checking in.

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #4 – May 31, 2024, 06:51:23 pm

Quote from: Larry W - May 31, 2024, 06:33:46 pm

The fuse holder can go bad, check for continuity across the fuse holder or try wiggling the cap holding the fuse in place.

Larry

Thanks Larry. I've seen videos with other fans that have fuse but I don't have that on my fan. The outer housing consists of thermostat knob, fwd/rev switch, fan speed knob, vent open/close switch and vent motor housing. Is there somewhere else I should look for a fuse or is it possible this until doesn't have one?

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #5 – May 31, 2024, 07:29:14 pm

What typically happens is the lubricant on the sleeve bushing of the motor has turned to shellac and frozen the motor shaft. If the fan blade does not spin freely with the motor off, this is the case. Repair involves removing the motor so you can flow some penetrating oil into the bushing and work the shaft until it frees up. If the blade spins freely and the motor has voltage on it, then the motor is has a bigger problem which may not be repairable.

Steve

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #6 – May 31, 2024, 07:44:37 pm

Mine doesn't have a power opening but is the thermostat actually closed? Check it for continuity.

Jon

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #7 – May 31, 2024, 09:36:14 pm

Quote from: Steve - May 31, 2024, 07:29:14 pm

What typically happens is the lubricant on the sleeve bushing of the motor has turned to shellac and frozen the motor shaft. If the fan blade does not spin freely with the motor off, this is the case. Repair involves removing the motor so you can flow some penetrating oil into the bushing and work the shaft until it frees up. If the blade spins freely and the motor has voltage on it, then the motor is has a bigger problem which may not be repairable.

Unfortunately, the only way to access and lube the motor bearings is to remove the motor and holder from the top of the motorhome. Fun job.

Larry

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #8 – May 31, 2024, 09:43:39 pm

Quote from: Lazy Bones - May 31, 2024, 06:27:49 pm

Quote
MUEUM
In your vintage coach I seriously doubt that the fan is 'original', particularly a Fantastic!

Our 2003 Lounge Fantastic fan has been spinning thousands of hours a year every summer since 2003 without fail.
The old 'soup can' motors were very durable. The later 'pancake' motors are durable too, but a bit noisy.

Larry

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #9 – June 01, 2024, 03:02:36 am

Hi MuseMe; I'm going to jump in here with my two cents: The thermostat knob controls a temperature that will turn the fan on and off at a particular temperature you set it for. I can't remember if it is full clockwise or full counterclockwise to turn it on regardless of the temperature. You should be able to hear the switch click on and off even if the fan doesn't run. Thanks Jon for referring to this switch.
The three speeds are controlled by series resistors, they look like coils of nichrome wire. One of those may have opened up, but high speed should still work at full speed.
I don't think Fantastic vent made a auto opening lid in 1990, so like others here, I don't think it is original equipment. My 1999 still has the original motor. If the bearings allow it to spin, and there is power to the motor, then the only thing left is an open in the internal coil or an open brush that transmits power into the armature. You can probably retrofit new parts into your old frame. Removing the old fan will probably be more difficult than the money consideration. RonB

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #10 – June 01, 2024, 09:16:26 pm

Thanks everyone! Of course, my voltmeter just up and died on me today so I'll have to replace that before checking thermostat wiring.

I do have a little ray of sunshine to share. I unplugged the rain sensor from the CPU and plugged it back in just to see if that would do anything and when I turned the knob to 3 (top speed) the fan blades jolted for just a second! Any ideas what would cause that to happen? Is there a way of maybe bypassing the rain sensor than simply unplugging it from the cpu?

Oh and FYI, the fan blades do spin freely so at least I know it's not a motor issue.

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #11 – June 01, 2024, 09:41:09 pm

Hi MuseMe; I don't have a rain sensor, but if they get dirty, they'll absorb moisture from air and fog and short out, so the fan will think it is raining. Usually this inhibits the lid raise function. Not allowing the lid to raise means the pin switch won't let the fan motor run. You could just disconnect that rain sensor. RonB

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #12 – June 02, 2024, 01:38:41 am

Hi MuseMe,

I’ve had issues with the rear bath vent fan in our ‘15 RB. No matter what I tried, short of replacing the plunger switch, I couldn’t get the fan to activate.

Long story short…I replaced the plunger switch and all was well and the fan has been working fine since then. EBay has the switch. 2 for $10.00 Note: I did have to get on the roof to remove the switch as well as removing the inside screen and plastic molding.

I had issues with our center roof vent and was able to get it running by depressing the plunger switch several times. It helps to remove the screen to activate the plunger.

I also purchased an entire fan assembly for around $50 either on eBay or e-trailer. Still have it waiting in the wings just in case. Pretty easy install from what I can tell.

Here’s a pic of the switch I purchased. E-Trailer has them as well.

Kent

Re: Help with Fantastic vent! opens/closes but doesn't spin

Reply #13 – June 02, 2024, 05:38:16 pm

A dirty rain sensor can collect moisture and will deactivate the motor, problem we had and solved by unplugging the sensor.
If the vent has a cover, the rain sensor is not needed.

Beautiful June Lake
Larry

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