New air mover for my coach. - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

vannooch · 05-02-2011, 10:26 PM

I am in the market for a new bathroom fan, I want something that really moves some air and has a hood. I don't really need a remote (I can reach the ceiling) but I do want to be able to use it in rainy weather. A thermostat might not be bad.....
I just started looking and checked out the fantastic fan, the Max Air fan, the vortex fan, the create a breeze, the Turbo max economy, the sure flo fan....etc.
Does anyone have one of these or can anyone recomend one? Comments?

RichR · 05-02-2011, 10:37 PM

We had a Fantastic Fan on our 1705T and liked it very much. I have read that the company has great warranty coverage on them. If you get one also get the Maxxair Fan/Mate Vent Cover then you can operate the fan when it rains. The fan works great when boondocking in hot weather especially at night to draw cool air in through the windows.

I'm thinking of putting one in the 2310H.

vannooch · 05-02-2011, 10:42 PM

I think that I'm leaning towards this one:
Maxxair Vent Corp - Turbo/Maxx Economy Model 3550 12V Ceiling Fan/Vent without Thermostat - Vents - Camping World
I considered the vortex with a fan mate for about $130 for the pair but I have concerns about restrictions on the airflow between the cap and fan. The TurboMaxx is mounted right in the cap so it should be able to draw it's full potential.
Or am I just thinking about this too much? Save the 100 bucks and stick it on and fill up my rig for the trip....

JMDoering · 05-02-2011, 10:44 PM

David,

We needed to replace one of the fans in our trailer and finally chose a Fantastic Fan with the rain sensor. We really like it. Been installed for two seasons now and has proven to be very reliable.

That rain sensor has saved our bacon a couple of times, either because of rain or night sprinklers in RV parks. The piece of mind of not having to worry about getting home to close the vent is worth the extra cost.

Installing it myself was a piece of cake.

Hope this helps,

Jim

vannooch · 05-02-2011, 10:44 PM

I wonder if there is a sound difference between these?
It can't be any louder than the stock fan, ya know after 17 years of use how the bearings and brushes start that nice wine on start up..... Ha!!

RichR · 05-02-2011, 10:49 PM

I would hesitate about getting that one for one reason. If you were to strike something and damage the vent cover it could also damage the fan. Having the fan in the ceiling would be safer for the fan. The Fantastic Fan is very quiet. It was factory installed on the 1705T.

vannooch · 05-02-2011, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMDoering

David,

We needed to replace one of the fans in our trailer and finally chose a Fantastic Fan with the rain sensor. We really like it. Been installed for two seasons now and has proven to be very reliable.

That rain sensor has saved our bacon a couple of times, either because of rain or night sprinklers in RV parks. The piece of mind of not having to worry about getting home to close the vent is worth the extra cost.

Installing it myself was a piece of cake.

Hope this helps,

Jim

Ya, good point Jim, the rain sensor is a good idea.
I wonder if the maxx air with the fan in the back of the cap would have a problem with any rain splashing off of the roof?

vannooch · 05-02-2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichR

I would hesitate about getting that one for one reason. If you were to strike something and damage the vent cover it could also damage the fan. Having the fan in the ceiling would be safer for the fan.

Good point Rich! Didn't think of that...

vannooch · 05-02-2011, 10:55 PM

Have you guys heard of this?
Heng's Industries Usa Llc - Vortex Replacement Vent Fan Upgrade - Vents - Camping World

vannooch · 05-02-2011, 10:56 PM

Found this for high powered fans, it should eliminate my first concern with mixing fan and cap.

Fan/Mate Rain Cover for High-Powered Ceiling Fans - Product - Camping World

RichR · 05-02-2011, 10:59 PM

If you didn't see my first post above, we were all posting at the same time, I recommend the Fantastic Fan with thermostat control with the Maxxair Fan/Mate cover so you can run it in the rain.

vannooch · 05-02-2011, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichR

If you didn't see my first post above, we were all posting at the same time, I recommend the Fantastic Fan with thermostat control with the Maxxair Fan/Mate cover so you can run it in the rain.

Rich, how much of a difference does the thermostat make?
Jim, does yours have a thermostat?

RichR · 05-02-2011, 11:10 PM

The thermostat is nice for night when you go to bed. When things cool off a bit and you are sound asleep the fan will turn itself off and save on your battery. Or if you are like me and too lazy to get up to turn the fan off, the thermostat can be your friend.

JMDoering · 05-02-2011, 11:11 PM

David, ours does have the thermostat. Works real well.

On hot days, I open the aft fan cover and set the forward fan thermostat for whatever temp I want to maintain and it draws air through and automatically adjusts fan speed to maintain that temp. Never come home to a hat trailer.

At night, we crack the windows, and let the fan draw air in. As the night cools the fan slows and finally stops, keeping the trailer from getting too cold.

This fan has been one of the best upgrades we've made so far.

Haven't heard of the Heng fan upgrade, but whatever fan you go to, I REALLY recommend a silent blade. WOW, what a difference it is to be cooking (and standing under a fan at high speed) and be able to carry on and hear a conversation with your sweety!

Jim

vannooch · 05-02-2011, 11:14 PM

Ahhh, love chatting with experienced RVer's.
Didn't think of over cooling, probably wouldn't be a problem for me, I like it cool. But my Baby wouldn't have the same comment, of course we'd just have to snuggle up!

vannooch · 05-02-2011, 11:16 PM

Jim, when your fan senses rain I'm assuming that it closes, or can you still use it while raining?

JMDoering · 05-02-2011, 11:19 PM

David,
It closes and turns off. After a delay it trys to open again...if still raining it closes. This repeats until I override, or the rain stops. I don't remember how long the delay is... seems to around 15 minutes.
Jim

vannooch · 05-02-2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMDoering

David,
It closes and turns off. After a delay it trys to open again...if still raining it closes. This repeats until I override, or the rain stops. I don't remember how long the delay is... seems to around 15 minutes.
Jim

Cool, thanks for the info!

JMDoering · 05-03-2011, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vannooch

Didn't think of over cooling, probably wouldn't be a problem for me, I like it cool. But my Baby wouldn't have the same comment, of course we'd just have to snuggle up!

David,

Four words.... Happy wife, happy life!

Jim

vannooch · 05-03-2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMDoering

David,

Four words.... Happy wife, happy life!

Jim

AMEN Brother!!!
I like making her happy anyways...