Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

August 19, 2010, 10:03:12 pm

We are in Washington state with highs in the low 70s and lows in the mid 50s and have noticed this fan is running most of the time including first thing in the morning when we get up. I put a remote reading temperature sensor on the ceiling of that bay and the temperature has ranged between 88 and 92 whenever we have looked at it for the past two days. We have the Prosine battery charger On, which is in the Ready mode, and we are on shore power.
Is it typical for this fan to run so much?

Thanks.

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #1 – August 20, 2010, 01:30:44 am

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We are in Washington state with highs in the low 70s and lows in the mid 50s and have noticed this fan is running most of the time including first thing in the morning when we get up. Is it typical for this fan to run so much?

Are you talking about this fan in the photo?
It is controlled by a temperature sensor on the ceiling.
Sometimes it needs to be replaced.
Try putting an ice cube on that temp sensor (button) and the fan should shut off.

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #2 – August 20, 2010, 09:12:25 am

We have a similar coach to yours and we were up in Washington State earlier this summer with similar temps. The electronics bay ceiling fan rarely ran and when it did, it was on an unusually hot day. So, no, it is not typical to have it run all the time.

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #3 – August 23, 2010, 02:08:02 pm

It took me about a day and a half to get out there with the ice cube to check the temperature sensor. I found the fan OFF. Not only that, it hasn't run at all since, even though the temperature was up to 94 once. I have propped that bay open and the temperatures have stayed down in the 80s.
Is there an easy way to troubleshoot the fan? Is it protected with a fuse or CB? I can't find it on my schematic.
Thanks.

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #4 – August 23, 2010, 03:02:51 pm

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It took me about a day and a half to get out there with the ice cube to check the temperature sensor. I found the fan OFF.

Are you saying it went off when you put the ice cube on it or it was already off?

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it hasn't run at all since, even though the temperature was up to 94 once

The temperature for that button switch to activate the fan is 95 degrees and 20 degrees differential.
They are cheap devices so I would not count on that being exact.

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Is there an easy way to troubleshoot the fan?

You can use something to heat up that button switch slowly (match) & it will activate and turn on the fan.
Like using the ice cube to turn it off.
With the summer heat it is not unusual for that fan to be running a lot.
If you find that the temperature is over 100 in that compartment and the fan does not turn ON than replace the button switch.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WHITERODGERS-Adjustable-Snap-Disc-Fan-Control-4E116

Adjustable Snap Disc Fan Control Switch, Control Type Fan, Switch Action Close On Rise, Contact Current Rating Resistive @ 240VAC 25 Amps, Contact Current Rating Resistive @ 240VAC 25 Amps, Inductive Rating @ 120VAC 14 Amps, Inductive Rating @ 240VAC 10 Amps, Pilot Duty Power Rating @ 120-240V 125 Volt Amps, Temperature Setting Range 90-130 Degrees Fahrenheit, Differential 20 Degrees Fahrenheit, Single Pole, Single Throw

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #5 – August 23, 2010, 03:12:28 pm

Thanks Barry.
The fan was already off and I expected it to be running as the conditions (temps) were the same as the day before when it was running constantly. I was wondering if there is something wrong with the fan now?
The fan had been running pretty much constantly when the temperature was 88 to 92. When I went out with the ice cube it was in the low 90s and the fan was not running.

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #6 – August 23, 2010, 03:28:05 pm

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I was wondering if there is something wrong with the fan now?

I don't think the fan is the problem at all.
It is the nature of the button switch.
Easiest way to test it is put a match under it slowly & the fan should come on.
OR open the connection box and touch the 2 wires coming from the switch together (bypassing it)
Once it comes on it will stay on until temp drops about 10-20 degrees.
If the fan does not come on I would say replace the switch .

If it is the Dayton 4C441 fan it is discontinued but here is an alternate.
1TDN6
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/itemDetailsCompareAlternates.shtml

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #7 – August 23, 2010, 06:36:12 pm

Barry,
would you be able to send me a picture of where the pipe exits the bottom. My old 2000 does not have a vent in the bay and it is getting very hot. I was looking to see where to install a vent and how to keep the water from the coach.

Thanks,

Brad
2000 U320 4000

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #8 – August 23, 2010, 07:14:21 pm

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Barry,
would you be able to send me a picture of where the pipe exits the bottom.

Here it is.

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #9 – August 24, 2010, 03:31:35 pm

Thanks Barry!!

Looks like another project for me to start.

Brad
2000 U320 4000

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #10 – August 26, 2010, 12:40:22 pm

Well I think I have my fan problem solved and Barry I think you were trying to tell me this from the beginning. It just took me this long to understand.
The key is understanding the 20 degree differential between ON and OFF with that temperature sensor. In my case, when the temperature in that bay reached about 100 degrees, the fan turned ON. It would not turn off until the temp got down to about 80. That didn't happen for a few days so I got worried when it was staying on at 88 and running continuously. Then Barry told me to put an ice cube on it, but by the time I did that the fan had turned OFF. Shortly after that I monitored the bay temperature at 94 degrees, but the fan had not turned back ON. So now I'm worried that the fan must have broke because it had been running continuously. I didn't realize that it wouldn't turn back ON until the temperature reached 100 again.
Does anyone know how hot it can get in that bay before the fan should turn ON?
Incidentally Barry, I noticed from your photos that your fan vent is solid material (looked like aluminum) while mine is flexible tubing.
Thanks Barry, too bad I am a slow learner.

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #11 – August 26, 2010, 01:09:04 pm

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Incidentally Barry, I noticed from your photos that your fan vent is solid material (looked like aluminum) while mine is flexible tubing.

My coach was the prototype & built many months before and they experimented with mine so I may have something different.
I have another fan in that bay that I am not sure is in other 2003 coaches.
I still cannot figure out where the replacement air is coming from that is being exhausted out the vent.
Which makes it hard to cool that bay.

I am thinking of putting one of these fans in the battery compartment as my batteries get so hot from that enclosed compartment and slows down my charging because of the internal heat.

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Does anyone know how hot it can get in that bay before the fan should turn ON?

My bay was at 94 yesterday & the fan was not on.
I think probably 100 degrees but again it is a cheap button switch and can very inconsistent.
If you are worried about the fan not working do what I said below to test it.
But I dont think it is your fan . It will run forever without a problem.

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Thanks Barry, too bad I am a slow learner.

Not so. It is good that you keep pursuing the questions until you are comfortable that you understand.
We all go thru it on things we need to learn.
Nobody knows it all , so we help with what each of us do know.
This is a great place to pass along our experiences.

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #12 – August 26, 2010, 03:09:52 pm

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My coach was the prototype & built many months before and they experimented with mine so I may have something different.
I have another fan in that bay that I am not sure is in other 2003 coaches.

I only have the one fan (the Squirrel / Scroll cage) in our compartment and don't have anything but space next to the surge protector. Was meaning to ask earlier, I assume you added in the solid exhaust pipe and flex coupling on the fan .. on mine is just a flex pipe down to the compartment floor.

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #13 – August 26, 2010, 03:47:09 pm

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I assume you added in the solid exhaust pipe and flex coupling on the fan .. on mine is just a flex pipe down to the compartment floor.

Mine came that way. But it looks like once production started they switched to flex pipe.
Can you see there is no real replacement air that is being exhausted except from the center trough.

Re: Fan in HWH bay runs and runs ...

Reply #14 – August 31, 2010, 03:49:08 pm

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The key is understanding the 20 degree differential between ON and OFF with that temperature sensor. In my case, when the temperature in that bay reached about 100 degrees, the fan turned ON. It would not turn off until the temp got down to about 80. That didn't happen for a few days so I got worried when it was staying on at 88 and running continuously.

Rocky,
I just talked to a friend that ordered the button temp switch from Foretravel
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WHITERODGERS-Adjustable-Snap-Disc-Fan-Control-4E116
and they sent him a Line voltage thermostat http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/COLUMBUS-ELECTRIC-Thermostat-2E158
$22.57 which is what they are using now.
You might consider this if you have to replace it.

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