Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: George Stoltz on July 29, 2010, 03:07:03 pm

Title: Chrome plated fans for windshield
Post by: George Stoltz on July 29, 2010, 03:07:03 pm
Last time we were at the factory we looked at all of the used coaches on the lot.  We like to do that to see what variations exist and what upgrades previous owners have made.

One coach had two chrome plated 8 inch fans mounted on the bottom of the front TV cabinet.  They looked well made and of substantial quality.  I want a pair to reduce the probability of the windshield fogging up. 

Does any one know where similar fans can be purchased?  12 Volt of course.
Title: Re: Chrome plated fans for windshield
Post by: Barry Beam on July 29, 2010, 03:15:02 pm
Quote
Does any one know where similar fans can be purchased?  12 Volt of course.
I found them at Camping World as well as other RV parts locations.
I cant do without mine.
I also added one next to my recliner & replaced a wall light we were not using with one since the 12vdc was already there.
Title: Re: Chrome plated fans for windshield
Post by: Dave Head on July 30, 2010, 01:01:16 pm
old:
http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Products-06-0850-Chrome-Heavy/dp/B000AA4RVI (http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Products-06-0850-Chrome-Heavy/dp/B000AA4RVI)
new:
http://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-RPSL581C-Season-Chrome-Heater/dp/B001JT10ZK (http://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-RPSL581C-Season-Chrome-Heater/dp/B001JT10ZK)

I like the newer one - takes up less space, swivels and has heat, too! Google search both models for cheaper pricing...
I bought 2 at http://www.electotronics.com/ (http://www.electotronics.com/) for $17.32 apiece, plus 14.00 shipping - total $49.09
Title: Re: Chrome plated fans for windshield
Post by: wolfe10 on July 30, 2010, 01:16:41 pm
Another very high quality QUIET 12 VDC fan is made by Hella (the German electronics company):

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_11151_10001_440821_-1?cid=chanintel_google&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=440821 (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_11151_10001_440821_-1?cid=chanintel_google&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=440821)

We have used them on our sailboats and motorhomes for decades.

Brett
Title: Re: Chrome plated fans for windshield
Post by: Tom Lang on July 30, 2010, 06:58:55 pm
I had a pair of the chrome fans in my previous motorhome.  I miss having them in the FT.  Very useful in defogging the windshield and also for cooling the driver in the summer.  Mine were two-speed, and not too noisy (but still effective) on low.
Title: Re: Chrome plated fans for windshield
Post by: George Stoltz on July 30, 2010, 09:02:47 pm
old:
http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Products-06-0850-Chrome-Heavy/dp/B000AA4RVI (http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Products-06-0850-Chrome-Heavy/dp/B000AA4RVI)
new:
http://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-RPSL581C-Season-Chrome-Heater/dp/B001JT10ZK (http://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-RPSL581C-Season-Chrome-Heater/dp/B001JT10ZK)

I like the newer one - takes up less space, swivels and has heat, too! Google search both models for cheaper pricing...
I bought 2 at http://www.electotronics.com/ (http://www.electotronics.com/) for $17.32 apiece, plus 14.00 shipping - total $49.09

Dave,

Only two reviews on Amazon.  One guy said they are noisy.  Are they?

Also do the rotate and swing up and down?  I can't tell from looking at the photo.

Thanks for the good leads.
Title: Re: Chrome plated fans for windshield
Post by: michaelespitz on July 30, 2010, 09:41:38 pm
George,
They look the same as the ones I put in.  They do swivel up and down and rotate virtually 360 degrees.  However, they are much more noisy than I expected, so I would check out the Hella recommended by Brett.
Mike spitz
2003 U-295
Title: Re: Chrome plated fans for windshield
Post by: George Stoltz on July 31, 2010, 11:27:31 pm
Quote
Does any one know where similar fans can be purchased?  12 Volt of course.
I found them at Camping World as well as other RV parts locations.
I cant do without mine.

Barry,


Can you supply a name and or model #?  Are your fans one or two speed?  thanks.
Title: Re: Chrome plated fans for windshield
Post by: Barry Beam on July 31, 2010, 11:34:09 pm
Quote
Can you supply a name and or model #?  Are your fans one or two speed?

They look like these. model numbers may have changed as this was a few years ago.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/metal-blade-12-volt-fan/26211 (http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/metal-blade-12-volt-fan/26211)

They are 2 speed.
I removed the toggle switches & relocated the wires to a 2 position rocker switch close to where I could reach them in the drivers seat.
Title: Re: Chrome plated fans for windshield
Post by: Tom Lang on August 01, 2010, 02:57:17 am
Since this topic started with a comment about using the chrome fans to prevent the windshield from fogging up, this begs a question:

How good are the windshield defoggers on a Foretravel?  Are aftermarket fans really needed?  I have managed to avoid rain and foggy windshields for the most part during my two years of FT ownership.
Title: Re: Chrome plated fans for windshield
Post by: Horace B. Cupp on August 01, 2010, 09:01:25 am
Tom, I'm with you. My coach had a pair of 8 " fans hanging down from mounts behind the windshield valance. Both were mounted on long cherry box extensions creating a long lever that amplified the vibration and one of them fell while underway, I fixed it, then later the other one came down, too. Burned once shame on you, burned twice, shame on me. I took then out, covered holes with matching plastic face plates from Lowe's and gave them to a friend.
 I now use the dash air conditioner to defog the windshield. Works for me.
Title: Re: Chrome plated fans for windshield
Post by: Barry Beam on August 01, 2010, 09:04:59 am
Quote
Since this topic started with a comment about using the chrome fans to prevent the windshield from fogging up, this begs a question:
How good are the windshield defoggers on a Foretravel?
I don,t think they work as good as I need them.
They are on the bottom of the windshield and takes forever to reach eyesight where I need to see, if it ever gets up that far.

Quote
Are aftermarket fans really needed?
I use these after market frequently  when the windows get fogged.
I just turn them around and face the windshield & because they are higher and have more air volume, it clears the fog much faster starting at the area I need it most at eyesight.
I put them on in 2004 and use them almost every time I am in the drivers seat since the dash airflow is so useless and they have worked flawlessly since.