Has anyone replaced the overhead vent fan in the kitchen? If so, what did you replace it with? Looking at the Dometic remote vent and was wondering if that would work out. Just tired of removing and replacing the plastic cover on the vent. Pretty flimsy and subject to breakage at anytime.
I put in the remote controlled Fantastic vent.
Is it quiet?
Almost silent has both temp settings and speed settings also auto close in rain.
Chuck
Do you have pics of your I stall? Was it difficult to do? I have the same issue with my fan cover. I actually have it taped to prevent it falling. Kind of a pain in the a-$@@@&!!
No pics of the install. The opening is the same for the Fantastic vent. Biggest problem was filling all the screw holes on the aluminum plate that was under the Kool-o-matic. as it isn't necessary for the new fan.
If the breaking of the plastic cover is the cause of your angst, I would suggest searching for the forum member (can't remember) that has a son/son in law that 3D prints stout replacements. Mine works very well. Color is perfect match and plastic is very stout. Just hated replacing my otherwise great fan for a plastic shroud.
Thanks Chuck, exactly what I was thinking would work. I agree, I like the fan in there now, just not that cover and the difficulty of removal and replacement. Nice job Chuck!
The original fan and cover were good but it sounded like a 747 when in use. Also in my case the later covers were put on the A/C's and rubbed the Kool-O-Matic shroud and made noise also when the airs were running.
I also replaced mine with the Fantastic Fan and have been much happier with it. It also helps during cold weather when I can insert the cushion designed for that purpose.
Chuck (Chuck and Jeannie) gave me helpful information which got me through the project with a few alterations on my part. I have a mid entry coach so our layout is a little different. I bypassed the old thermostat, since the new fan has one built in. This is what Chuck wrote, about seven years ago:
"I assume your Kool-O-Matic fan is/was located in the kitchen area, probably above your stove and microwave. I went out and looked at our coach, which has that same general configuration. If I needed a new 12 volt power lead to go the the kitchen vent fan cutout, I would take it off the hot wire and ground wire feeding the 12 volt light directly over the kitchen sink. The double wire could run through the overhead cabinets until directly in line with the fan cutout. You could drill a hole in the side of the fan cutout, horizontally through the ceiling foam, until you are above the cabinet ceiling. That would only be about 4-5 inches in our coach. Then punch straight up through the cabinet ceiling to intercept this hole. Run your power/ground wire up into the cabinet ceiling hole and over until it comes out the side of the fan cutout. Then hook up to the new fan.
Takes me longer to describe than it would take to do. To tap into the hot and ground wires at the light fixture, you might be tempted to use a "vampire" crimp-on splicing connection. See photo below. I know I have used these things for years on cars and motorcycles, had pretty good luck with them, and thought they were great. I have recently been introduced to a better solution: the Posi-Tap. Posi-Tap- No Crimp Tap
OR, you could use "Old School" solder and heat-shrink tubing...your choice."
Consider the Maxxair fans as well. I've had both and my experience is the Maxxair is just a powerful and much quieter than the Fan-Tastic Vent fans.
I replaced with a MaxAir7000. And used the old power wiring, 2 out of the 3 wires. Then to cover the old switch location, mounted the new remote holster for the remote over the old hole in the walnut wall.
I did the same with the Fantastic vent. See picture in reply #1. Using the existing wiring made the change easy.