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Topic: Potty vent problem... (Read 889 times) previous topic - next topic

Potty vent problem...

Have no 12 volt to the wall switch in the potty room that opens and closes the vent dome.
The upper 12 volt panel at the foot of the bed shows a 15 amp fuse that powers the bathroom ceiling lights and the potty room vent. That fuse is good. I'm not sure what "potty room vent" means on this fuse. Maybe it refers to the motor that makes the vent's fan blades spin and has nothing to do with the power supply for the motor that raises and lowers the dome???
When I manually raise the dome, the fan will not run either.
The vent in the shower room works fine. The small fuse that pushes up into the housing is fine; I exchanged them and no change.
I can't find the wiring for the wall switch or the fan motor on my schematics, but I am not very good at reading them.
Where do I look next?
Thanks, Dick
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V

Re: Potty vent problem...

Reply #1 –
Sounds like could be a bad wall switch assembly, would suggest calling fantastic vent and tell them what year and brand of motorhome and they should be able to help
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Potty vent problem...

Reply #2 –
If it's the wall switch and it's the dual dial remote variable speed version, Fantastic (Dometic Attwood now) doesn't have them anymore - you have to buy an upgrade kit.  Our remote open/close failed last summer (fan works fine otherwise) and after talking with Attwood (who now owns Fantastic Fan), they said we had to find a dealer who stocked the parts and buy from said dealer.  They could not sell us the parts.

Oh, and they never heard of a "Foretravel".  Sounds like Attwood has done their thing to Fantastic Vent customer service.... >:D

We're still searching for a vendor that has the kit (we couldn't find it online). 

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Potty vent problem...

Reply #3 –
Yup Attwood has destroyed another good company.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Potty vent problem...

Reply #4 –
The wall switch seems pretty simple, toggle up to raise dome and down to lower it. The dome stops when it reaches the end of travel and the current drives high.
I removed the switch from the wall and could not get 12 volts across the terminals on the back. Should there be 12 volts there all the time? The other 12 volt devices (ceiling lights) on that circuit work fine.
Is there a circuit breaker or something between the fuse and the wall switch? If so where?
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V

Re: Potty vent problem...

Reply #5 –
Don't know about the wall switch but have to comment about the Fantastic vent service. Called a few months ago when we found a crack in the inner casing where a screw had been over tightened. They sent a new casing for the cost of postage. Called them this week when I found the plastic dome had separated into two layers. Asked if I could silicone them back together and they said yes, but that they would send a new one as dome has lifetime warranty. Again, I had to pay postage. All this on a 12 year old vent on it's third owner.
Mike & Molly Patronick
2001 U320 40'
2011 Forester

Re: Potty vent problem...

Reply #6 –
Morning Dick,

When you checked for 12 volts at the switch were you reading from a switch pole to ground or switch pole to switch to switch pole?
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Potty vent problem...

Reply #7 –

Quote from: John Duld –
Morning Dick,

When you checked for 12 volts at the switch were you reading from a switch pole to ground or switch pole to switch to switch pole?

Switch pole to switch pole. Switch in both positions. Good point, I will recheck.
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V

Re: Potty vent problem...

Reply #8 –
I think 12 volt was fine. I took wires off switch to check it; was ok. When I put wires back the dome started working??? Now if I can just get the fan to spin. Fantastic vent tech support is not what it used to be. Had to leave message for return call next day. We'll see.

Dick On Mar 13, 2013 9:10 AM, "Dick S" <shanahand65@gmail.com> wrote:
Quote

Switch pole to switch pole. Switch in both positions. Good point, I will recheck.

Dick On Mar 13, 2013 8:44 AM, "John Duld" <bjduld4019@gmail.com> wrote:
Quote

Morning Dick,

When you checked for 12 volts at the switch were you reading from a switch pole to ground or switch pole to switch to switch pole?

John Duld

1995 U320C SE 40'
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V
 

Re: Potty vent problem...

Reply #9 –
A follow up note...
Tech support at Fantastic division of Attwood told me the most likely reason the fan doesn't spin is the plunger switch activated by the dome opening and closing because it is exposed to weather and gets corroded and rusty. Before I could check that two fellow travelers told me the same thing while we were playing pickleball!
Sure enough, that was the problem. Tech support is sending me new switches for both fans. There was no mention of cost for parts or shipping so I am encouraged about the support.
In the meantime I sprayed a bit of Corrosion X in there and worked the switch up and down. Fans working for now and all is well...waiting for new switches.
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V