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Looking for some feedback on upgrading to the Fantastic-Vent Fans as well as vent covers for rainy days. We are heading out for our first long trip and wonder if we need the upgrade considering we will dry camp alot and we have pets. We have a new 5th wheel but have only spent 1 night in it so far so we are not sure. We currently have 3 standard vent fans. It's in the shop now getting "road ready" and want to get it done now if needed. Additionally, 2 of my existing vent fans are too high to reach,....any tips on accessing these to open and turn on/off? Any advice or ideas would be appreciated. We are newbies so help is needed.
Thanks
-- Edited by Louie on Friday 15th of April 2011 11:37:15 AM
Louie, fantastic fans work well in the right place---let me explain. I'm not sure how familar you are with Fan Fan's so I'll go into a little detail. The controls are tied in to a thermostate that can be adjusted so you set the temp that you want the fan to operate so the vent opens and the fan starts automatically at or near the preset temp. Also I belive they all have a sensor built in so if it starts to rain the fan goes off and the vent closes automatically. However they are small and do not move a lot of air, so the placement of the fan makes a difference. Mine is in the bedroom--near the foot of the bed, open the two small windows at the head of the bed and it makes a great breeze for sleeping. My sisters is just as you step in the door, so with her door open it pulls in the air and it goes directly up to the fan and out, hardly noticable, unless you close the door. Also as stated before they don't pull much air if you have several windows open they seem as if they arn't really helping much, they work muck better with one or two windows only partically open so one can feel the breeze moving in. They run on 12V, but can be turned off. IMO very nice to have particulary if boondocking.
Flyone
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Team Cockrum: 2001, F250 Diesel, 2012 33 FT. CrossRoads Cruiser Fifth Wheel
They come in a variety of configurations, everything from total manual, to thermostat driven with rain sensor closing. All models have a variety of speeds, so can move a lot of air if cranked up. We have 3 of them, 2 top of line automatics and a manual one in the potty room. They are also much quieter than regular fans. Not cheap, but excellent quality and almost guaranteed for life. The few problems we've had, we called the factory and they sent out the needed parts overnight free of charge. Excellent company!
IMHO, you can't go wrong with Fantastic Fans. They move WAY more air than the standard noisy ones and do it as silently as you want them to be. As far as the fan being high, there are extension handles to allow you to operate them as you stand under them. I have seen them at CW, but most often at a rally or something like it. They are mostly built in a garage by the husband of an altitude challenged woman. CW has them as ventstik at http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/ventstik/31459 This would also work on Fantastic fans if you choose to get manual operated ones.
I'll put my 2 cents in as I installed a Fantastic Fan in place of one of our standard vents. They work awesome for bringing in cool air when you have a day that is just a little bit warm but there isn't enough breeze to flow through the windows. They're also nifty for evacuating air out of the camper that you don't want in there because of smell/smoke/whatever. We have the vent covers over ours which the FF folks do not recommend because it cuts down the air flow but we find ours works fine anyway and we can run it even if it's raining. There is no comparison between a standard fan and a Fantastic Fan - it's like apples and oranges difference.
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Ron and Joan 2005 Itasca Sunova 34A 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
Thanks for responding to my question. I was just wondering what kind of vent covers do you have over your FF's? Do you need one with a larger vent area to allow more air in? Thanks again!
I have this http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/ramble-vent-cover-translucent/32000 on all three of my Fantastic Fans with no problems. I probably lose some efficiency when the fan is on high, but I don't like the noise, so it is never on high. You can spend more, but I am not sure it is required.
By the way, am I the only one to nitice this thread is about Vans?
-- Edited by 53 Merc on Sunday 17th of April 2011 07:42:48 AM
We don't have any covers on ours and haven't had any problems in 5 years of use. We have the ones with the rain sensor and it works like magic. We often don't know it's raining yet and become aware because the fan lids close.
BTW, the manufacturer does not recommend covers be used, but I'm not sure if it voids the warranty.
Thanks for responding to my question. I was just wondering what kind of vent covers do you have over your FF's? Do you need one with a larger vent area to allow more air in? Thanks again!
We have the standard MaxAir vent covers on ours that were installed by the previous owner. No problem with the FF operation and we can run the fan even in the rain!
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Ron and Joan 2005 Itasca Sunova 34A 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
