Can you use the Fantastic Fan when its raining if you crank it up a little bit?

CCC

Asking for a friend.

CharlieRN

I don't know if it's recommended, but I've done it. Opened the vent a bit and set the fan to exhaust on low speed.

Mickerly

You can use the Fantastic fan any time. Depending on the angle of the rain, you may need to keep it mostly closed. It has to be open some of the fan won't come on.

RMo

Ours will run for a few minutes or so then the rain sensor activates, it closes and we have to start over.  The bathroom fan works fine in the rain.

SLJ

First thing I did was add a vent cover. Can be fully open in the rain with no leaks. You get stuck inside during a long storm and you'll be glad you have one.

B11

@SLJ can you share which cover you added and your experience with installation? I'm considering adding a cover or replacing with the Maxx Air Maxxfan Deluxe 7500k. 

Mickerly

The newer trailer do have a rain sensor that will close and turn off the fan if rain enters. Older trailers don't have a rain sensor.

SLJ

B11 said:

@SLJ can you share which cover you added and your experience with installation? I'm considering adding a cover or replacing with the Maxx Air Maxxfan Deluxe 7500k. 

I used this one. Just four bolts into the existing fan mount.  https://amzn.to/3LshYFZ

jimcenname

I had nuCamp install a Maxxair in the cabin in my 400 and move the FantasticFan to the bathroom. I love it, one of the best modifications I've done 

Denny16

I think you were one of the last TaB400s modified by nüCamp, as they no longer offer this option, as the newer TaB 400s have a smaller round exhaust/vent fan in the washroom.
 Cheers 

SLJ

Denny16 said:

I think you were one of the last TaBs modified by nüCamp, as they no longer offer this option, as the newer TaB’s have a smaller round exhaust/vent fan in the washroom.
 Cheers 

The 320s don't have a bathroom fan. I had to install one in mine.

JeffroNC

For another approach, I added a speed control to the original bathroom fan. I prop the bathroom door open and run it on low speed. Water never comes in. 

hikerchick

I have a 2021 Tab400 does my vent have a rain sensor?

KimmieGuy

I use the fan 99% of the time, sun or rain. 

Mickerly

Hikerchick,  I can't tell if you have a rain sensor or not. The NuCamp manual for your 400 refers to the bag of owners manuals that came with your trailer rather than explainig what was installed. If you have a rain sensor, there will be a blue sticker that looks like a cartoon rain drop. You will also have a remote for the vent.

Gherzig

@hikerchick - My 2021 400BD had a model 1450 Fantastic Fan which is different from the former model 1250 in that it does not have a rain sensor like the earlier models.  It also does not have a kill switch which shuts the fan down when the lid closes.  Dometic claims that the 1450 can be operated at full speed with the lid closed while the earlier models (1250) are not designed to do so.  Of course that moves air but does not provide any ventilation.

I replaced my Fantastic Fan 1450 with a MaxxFan Deluxe primarily because it can be fully open and operating in the rain (it is also quieter, more energy efficient, and better all around quality).  It seems to me that being able to have ventilation in the rain is a very important feature.  

Denny16

You can add an external hood over the Fantastic Fan, which ours has, and you can open to max, and use the fan in the rain, unless it is a driving hurricane force wind doing at you from the rear…  :#
cheers 

JP2558

We have the MaxxAir cover and leave ours open year round, come snow, rain or sunshine.

CharlieRN

Denny16 said:

You can add an external hood over the Fantastic Fan, which ours has, and you can open to max, and use the fan in the rain, unless it is a driving hurricane force wind doing at you from the rear…  :#
cheers 

It looks like hoods such as the Camco 21015 require drilling through the roof into the cabin interior for its attachment bolts. Is this the case? 

Gherzig

The Camco 40421 attaches directly to the side of the existing fan unit - not to the roof.  I have a brand new / never installed one in white which I will provide for free - just the cost of shipping.  I bought it and then decided to replace my Fantastic Fan with a MaxxAir.  The 40421 is 1.25 inches lower than either of the Fantastic Fan or MaxxAir hoods.  This model can be opened to provide access to the fan from the roof if ever needed without removing it.

Okpete

Mickerly said:I have a late 2022 320. No rain sensor !

The newer trailer do have a rain sensor that will close and turn off the fan if rain enters. Older trailers don't have a rain sensor.

Marceline

CharlieRN said:

Denny16 said:

You can add an external hood over the Fantastic Fan, which ours has, and you can open to max, and use the fan in the rain, unless it is a driving hurricane force wind doing at you from the rear…  :#
cheers 

It looks like hoods such as the Camco 21015 require drilling through the roof into the cabin interior for its attachment bolts. Is this the case? 

I installed the Camco Aero-flo myself. I didn't have to drill through the roof. You attach brackets to the side of the existing vent and then the cover attaches to the bracket. It's one of the best improvements that I made to my trailer. I also installed the variable speed motor hack described in this thread.


.

MarkAl

We generally keep the fan lid open only a bit more than the shut off switch allows the motor to turn ON for cabin venting when cooking or it's very hot and on city power (rare). We've owned the 320 for over 2 years and never had a rain entry problem. Though it's very rare for us to be in a driving rain. Otherwise we get a lot of rain in the Pacific NW. What are the conditions users have found water entry that lowering to this point would not solve? Note we also modified the speed switch with the variable speed mod - THAT was one of the best and easiest changes on the trailer. I'm wondering if those in very hot situations where max airflow is important and dislike moving the cover from full open to minimally open? We've not been there yet.