Seven Dometic Fantastik Fan Failures

Maxcamp

If anyone has removed a Fantastik fan that has a viable motor and blade I will gladly buy it from you.
It appears Dometic's suppliers are unable to make a usable product.  Crooked fanblade shaft hole and wobble in motor bearings.

I ordered FIVE fan motor/blade replacements (#3 through #7) on Amazon (shipped from Dometic) hoping one would not have excessive runout (wobble).  No such luck, they are ALL unusable and getting returned.  Just spinning by hand exhibits a 5/8" to 7/8" perimeter sway up and down, which will scrape the fan housing and screen.  One screeched and stopped turning due to interior resistance.

https://vimeo.com/1019477719 #6

https://vimeo.com/1019477624 #3

https://vimeo.com/1019477666  #4

https://vimeo.com/1019477687 #5

https://vimeo.com/1019477744 #7

Our current installed replacement (#2) wobbles and will fail.  When reversed it scrapes the screen.  The original motor (#1) failed in first 1.5 years.  We run fan on exhaust at low speed whenever in the camper, so six weeks per year of use is ±500 hours. 
Small motors like electric drills and fans (with brushes) typically have a rated life of 1500 to 3500 hours.  

I will eventually have to replace with a Maxxair which will require enlarging the roof opening I believe.  Not looking forward to yet more work on the camper.
I've had to fix the broken lift mechanism on this and reinforce with aluminum angles; had to replace the motor and opted to fabricate and install a potentiometer speed control, and installed an all weather hood.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/7200/variable-speed-pwm-ceiling-fan-mod-10-bucks/p5
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/183901#Comment_183901

elbolillo

Maxxair fan will fit without modification. 

Maxcamp

Thanks.  I had the impression the opening needed enlargement, apparently not.  Still a lot of work and expense.  

Do folks still use a separate rain hood?

This seems like the most pertinent discussion of conversion?
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/9490/2019-320s-oem-fantastic-fan-to-maxxair-installation-complete

elbolillo

No need for a separate rain hood with the Maxxair. The Maxxair really should be the standard fan on the Nucamp. Quieter, more adjustable speeds, remote, and no rain hood needed.

Maxcamp

Still hoping someone who did the swap can send me their fan motor if it does not have excessive runout.  Tired of working on the camper and setting up to work at roof level is getting hard.  $50 + shipping.

Maxcamp

Question on the Maxxair 0007000K power opening fan.  Can you open and close it manually as well?
On the manual opening  00-05100K what is the mechanism to open and close it?
We are unable to travel in hot weather, fan is for C02 ventilation.  We don't want a thermostat to shut if off... are you able to keep it running on low all night?

B0atguy

I have a brand new Dometic 1450 " Fantastik Fan" pulled out of our 2024 T@B 400 , basically about a month after we purchased it . Installed a Maxxair 7000k because I just prefer the built in rain shield and remote operation. Although we didnt really use it the oem 1450, I did check it out before I pulled it and it worked just fine with no noises or wobble that I noticed . Was going to list it for sale locally , but if you need it , I can ship it out . If this is the one you are looking for , let me know . The fan blade does appear to be the same as your pictures. I can gladly send you some pictures to confirm if its the one you need. Would prefer to send the whole fan . You can remove any of the parts you need then. 

Maxcamp

Salvage stock.... great, thank you.  Please check the Nucamp private Messages for my contact info.  Appreciate your reaching out.

B0atguy

Maxcamp said:

Salvage stock.... great, thank you.  Please check the Nucamp private Messages for my contact info.  Appreciate your reaching out.

Sent you a PM .

tphaggerty

I have a Fantastic fan pulled from our 2018 400. It worked fine when I pulled it out. Happy to send it (or just the motor & fan) if you want it for shipping cost.

subkron

I have one from my 2022 400 BD. Has low hours on it since I switched to Maxxair pretty quickly. I would have to check exact model (it is boxed since I was going to put it up locally). If the other offers won't work for you, lmk.

rcarlson1957

Maxcamp, power opening Maxxfan can be opened and closed manually too (has a knob). Ours has remote and can be set by temp or not. Run ours at night all the time. But did run into 1 problem when I switched to lithium batteries. The control board didn't like the high voltage so had splice in a small voltage regulator to drop it down a little and it has worked great ever since. Maybe the newer models are little more forgiving since so many campers have lithium batteries now. 

AnOldUR

rcarlson1957 said:

... can be opened and closed manually too (has a knob).

Had to remove the knob. Kept hitting my head on it.

Maxcamp

Thanks all.  We are going to try yet one more motor offered by one of the forum members.  I rotate tires regularly but never expected to have to do this with fans.

B0atguy

Maxcamp said:

Thanks all.  We are going to try yet one more motor offered by one of the forum members.  I rotate tires regularly but never expected to have to do this with fans.

PM sent . Getting you the shipping quote today . 

B0atguy

Just sent a PM @Maxcamp . Tested my brand new (Dometic) Fantastik fan 1450 today before shipping it out to you , and it definitely does have some "wobble' to it .......brand new ! I couldn't in good faith send this to you , even though its brand new, and works perfectly . Its does have the same wobble problem you stated . 
At this point I would highly recommend just opting for a Maxxair 7000k / 7500 . Just do it ! I have installed 3-4 of them in various RV's we have owned over the past few years, and wouldn't even consider another brand at this point. They are superior . Love the built in Rain shield ! 
Anyway , good luck in your search for a replacement Fantastik fan motor / fan blade . Sorry mine wont work out for you (just being honest) . But in all seriousness , just get the Maxxair and get it installed any way you can , even if you have to hire someone to install it. It will be worth it ! 

B0atguy

AnOldUR said:

rcarlson1957 said:

... can be opened and closed manually too (has a knob).

Had to remove the knob. Kept hitting my head on it.

Same here , lol . I finally just removed the knob , and kept it in the T@B "toolbox" incase I ever need it to manually open the vent . Installed a little black rubber cap over the crank for the knob so it looks a little nicer . 

BillJ70

So many people swap out the fan for the Maxxfan (we did).  I guess I know the answer to this (money), but with all the people who have swapped for the Maxxfan over the years (and talk about how great they are), why doesn't Nucamp just make that standard equipment?  When you are in bed, you can simply reach over and adjust the fan speed, and the rain shield, etc.  How much more can it cost?  Jeeesh.  

Maxcamp

I'm surprised there's no outcry over the failures of Dometic and Nucamp to fabricate and install a working product.  I'd change my nom de plume to Grumpy but I think that's already taken:)

Glad to see all the positive reviews of Maxxair.... how well does it hold up after four or five years of use and travel, and thousands of hours of spinning?  Even my favorite power tools fail after some thousands of hours of use when brushes, bearings, or plastic wears out.  Has anyone been able to procure and install a replacement motor?