Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

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Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

December 27, 2016, 09:28:13 am

During the summer, Erin and I will be dry camping 80-90% of days. We still have the 2 original A/C units, original Kool-matic fan in the kitchen (without an interior cover, which I need to fabricate a replacement for), and original bathroom vent w/ exterior cover. All are functioning. Because we will rarely be using the 2nd air conditioner, I am considering pulling the rear A/C (in bathroom next to existing bathroom vent fan), and replacing with a fantastic fan.

I haven't been in the coach during summer yet, and don't have any feel for the cooling capabilities of the two existing fans during the summer. Have also never used a Fan-tastic Vent fan. Normally, I would wait until summer to test and change as needed based on feel - but we are doing full replacement/upgrade of solar in February, and the A/C or Fan decision will affect solar panel layout/capability. If a fan is a good idea, it would be helpful to do that before the solar project.

My questions:

1) Fantastic Vent vs. Existing Bathroom fan: Would a fan-tastic fan do any better of a better functional job of cooling than just turning on the bathroom fan? The bathroom fan is entirely manual, so perhaps the only thing I get out of a fan-tastic fan is the automated temperature monitoring? The existing fan seems to draw out air at a very respectable rate on high, but pulls more power than I would expect.

2) Replacing A/C vs. Replacing existing bathroom fan: If I replaced the A/C, the fantastic fan and existing bathroom fan would be almost side-by-side. Would having these fans both running side-by side on a hot night help cool everything off, or would be just be overkill? Maybe it would be better to replace the bathroom vent fan with a fan-tastic fan instead, and save the second A/C for that 110 degree day we are bound to run into eventually?

I know there isn't necessarily a right answer here - as everyone's needs are different. Just interested in opinions... and maybe an excuse to prevent me from unnecessarily replacing things aren't broken. Thanks for your opinion.

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #1 – December 27, 2016, 09:58:55 am

One word: NO! We spend summers where, even at 5k, it gets warm and roof air is needed in the afternoon. The beauty of the stern a.c. is it will provide enough cooling up front without the noise of the forward a.c. above our heads. Leave it alone.

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #2 – December 27, 2016, 10:01:30 am

Hi, good thoughts..

Dad always told me, if it's not broke.. don't fix it... um except for brakes, bald tires-stuff like that

Existing ac replacement with fan without experiencING a summer... ?

Bathroom fan replaced with automatic rain decor

I like that.. but yours is covered.. if no thermostat, yes replace it it's only money

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #3 – December 27, 2016, 10:13:04 am

Down here is Texas I think we have used our fans maybe 6 times in the last 16 years we have had it. It is only good on cool days when the sun is warming up the coach.

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #4 – December 27, 2016, 11:58:47 am

I would replace the existing fan. Most bathroom fans have small blades that are really inefficient. The Fantastic Vent covers the entire opening and will create a draft (if in the "out" position), drawing air in from any open window. If we want to cool things down quickly, we will open the furthest window and we can feel the air move toward the fan, drawing the warmer air out with it. You can also buy a square "pillow" (sold at Camping World) designed to fit in the opening of the that will insulate it in cooler weather. We replaced our Koolmatic, not only because it was unsightly and inefficient, but for the fact that it was open to the outside at all times. You can also order a fan with a built in thermostat, so that it will come on when the temp rises - great, if you are leaving a pet behind when going out for a meal, etc.
If you place a Fantastic Vent next to an existing fan, it will draw air in from the other and not do much else.

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #5 – December 27, 2016, 12:53:15 pm

In your question #1, you use the term Fantastic Vent.
Most of us are used to the term Fantastic Fan (a company that was bought out by Atwood recently).
A clarification might be needed between what kind of vents or fans we are talking about.

I just went to the Fantastic vent site: Welcome to Fan-Tastic Vent! and the terms Fan and Vent are mixed about in a confusing way (at least to me).
And I see a new product called a Fantastic (Ez-Breeze) Vent which is very different from the "original" Fantastic Fan which has a high power 12" fan blade, reversible 3 speed flow and an automatic powered opening cover that became the favorite of the RV world for so long - and had a lifetime warranty under the original owners.
Can you clarify what new fan your are thinking of putting in the bath area?

And is your current (original?) bath fan a standard RV variety with a 4 inch fan and a crank-up cover?
( I thought Fantastic Fans were standard on all Foretravel bath areas)

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #6 – December 27, 2016, 01:23:24 pm

I was under the impression that Fan-tastic Vent was the company that was acquired by Atwood, and that the term Fantastic Fan was just the term used by the public because it makes more sense than Fantastic Vent. Perhaps they changed it slightly upon acquisition? In any case, I used the names interchangeably because I thought they were one-and-the-same.

RE: Bathroom fan - I am not there now to check- but it is surely the original. Manual turn-crank up, 3 speeds on a turn-dial knob, and 4" fan sounds about right. Still works well. Didn't see a brand name - but didn't look very closely.

Sounds like the general consensus is that I should leave the current configuration - or, if anything, replace the Kool-Matic from the kitchen.

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #7 – December 27, 2016, 01:30:15 pm

Quote from: JohnFitz – December 27, 2016, 12:53:15 pm

Can you clarify what new fan your are thinking of putting in the bath area?

While not 100% sure - I was looking for one that would accommodate cats if we were gone for the day and were in a place where we couldn't let them out to roam. That would mean a power lift, built in thermostat, as well as rain sensor / auto-close. So I was leaning towards this one:

Fan-Tastic Vent's Retail 12 Volt Fans

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #8 – December 27, 2016, 01:41:05 pm

Driving at highway speeds with the vent open, without a cover like Maxair, will most assuredly reduce the life of the vent cover. The Fantastic fan and most motorized fans have the raising track (metal) riveted to one side of the acrylic vent, to clear the motor and fan blades, and all the wind buffeting pressure will be concentrated on the track and rivets. Failure imminent!

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #9 – December 27, 2016, 02:44:40 pm

James/Erin,
Thanks for the clarification. I'm probably the only one here who seems to be confused.

Here's my answers your questions:
1) Yes, the Fantastic vent in reply #7 will out perform your existing fan by a wide margin. To get the most out of it, a window has to be cracked open to provide enough supply air. This is a "no brainer" to me.

2) I would suggest leaving the AC in. Mostly because "things change" and all of us get caught in temperature extremes and situations that we never planned on. It's also a good back-up for the forward AC unit.

This just my opinion, but we love the Kool-matic fan. In the summer evenings when it cools down outside but the inside is still hot the Kool-matic really shines. We open the bedroom windows (close all the others) and run the Kool-matic on low. It creates a nice breeze over the bed, it's quieter than the Fantastic, and the thermostat shuts it off when the temp gets down low enough. It's like a whole house fan for S&Bs.
Here are some ideas for the cover: kool-o-matic-fan-replacement-parts

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #10 – December 27, 2016, 02:59:59 pm

Quote from: JohnFitz – December 27, 2016, 02:44:40 pm

Here are some ideas for the cover: kool-o-matic-fan-replacement-parts

Excellent resource. I actually found and read that earlier today, and finally understood what that old bent cracked plastic cover was that I found under the couch (and threw away).

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #11 – December 27, 2016, 03:02:45 pm

I think a swap of the fantastic fan for either the existing bathroom fan or the Kool-matic will not change the exterior roof layout by much - and therefore doesn't need to be done before solar. So we'll hold off for now, and wait until we can do a little "summertime testing."

Thank you all for the input. Extremely helpful, as usual.

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #12 – December 27, 2016, 03:55:55 pm

A/C - there are two A/C units in Foretravel because one will not keep you cool at 110F, particularly with the sun shining. In fact, even two will barely keep up at 110F.
Unlike a previous post, I seldom use either A/C unit because I summer in Canada on Vancouver Island where normal highs are 75F in August.
I was considering replacing the front A/C unit with a Maxair low profile fan to provide a higher ceiling and more light, however, I would leave the bedroom A/C because ceiling height does not matter and dark is better in the bedroom. Also, an A/C cooled bedroom means a better sleep at night.

The kool-o-matic fan has 14 inch blades, while Fantastic/Maxair have 11 or 12 inch blades. This means the kool-o-matic moves 50% to 100% more air than a Fantastic/Maxair fan.

I prefer to put a Maxair cover over all vents making a rain sensor of no value.

The Kool-o-matic roof footprint is much larger than the footprint of the Fantasic/Maxair fans, such that solar panels installed with the Kool-o-matic installed will have noticeably more free space after replacing the Kool-o-matic with Fantastic/Maxair.

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #13 – December 27, 2016, 05:11:46 pm

My bathroom has a fantastic fan which I use all the time and it really helps cool the place down. I disconnected the automatic part of it so it only works manually now. I find the Kool matic fan a pain to use and I would prefer it wasn't there. I would keep both air conditioners as you never know. I got two 4 inch fans and hung them under the bedroom cupboard so the could be moved to blow where needed, they work great.

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #14 – December 27, 2016, 05:24:10 pm

We like the rear air to help get the moisture out of the

rear of the coach after taking showers. After several MH

and two FT's the fans do not do it for us, either.

Carter
Nac

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #15 – December 27, 2016, 08:20:01 pm

Last summer was hot and with baby on board we ran a lot of ac. Even with the air on I found I ran the fan in the bathroom to get the hot air out the top of the bathroom and draw the cooler air from the main cabin under the door just to combat the heat from the skylight. Really need to put a max air on it though. A few times I had to get the mrs to scurry back and shut the vent.

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #16 – December 27, 2016, 09:17:52 pm

MaxxFan MaxxAir RV Ventilator Smoke Lid w/Remote - 6.08
The cats meow. Seems well made, Leave it open with fan off when driving.

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #17 – December 29, 2016, 09:15:51 am

Interesting discussion going here - illustrates how hard it is to build a RV that suits every buyer. Different strokes...

One factor that has not been mentioned: allergies. My DW is greatly afflicted - me a little less. Even when it is cool out, we often cannot open up all the windows and let the breeze blow through, lest we be hit with a sneezing attack. For us, the closed windows + A/C mode is usually mandatory, especially at night. I would never consider removing 50% of our cooling capacity.

Our Kool-O-Matic is located directly over the cooktop and microwave/convection oven, and still works great. We use it every time we cook, to remove the fumes/vapors and (occasionally) smoke

from the coach. We find it much more effective (and quieter) than the builtin (non-vented) exhaust fan in the microwave. With the windows closed, it sucks fresh air in through the (open) bathroom vent, across the bathroom ceiling into the kitchen, picks up the cooking vapors, and exhausts it all out the top.

Our original (manual) bathroom vent fan (with Maxxair exterior cover) still works fine - no plans to replace. I leave the cover open all the time, since there is no need to worry about rain getting in. When parked, it provides some necessary fresh air. When showering, turning on the fan vents the moisture. When we are driving, it helps to increase the air flow through the dashboard vents/heater//defroster.

The all-original equipment configuration, installed by Foretravel 23 years ago, still works great for us!

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #18 – December 29, 2016, 09:53:57 am

How to keep cooking odors out of your coach? Eat out!

Re: Fan-tastic Vent fan vs. 2nd A/C vs. Original Vent fans

Reply #19 – December 29, 2016, 10:09:10 am

Quote from: nitehawk – December 29, 2016, 09:53:57 am

How to keep cooking odors out of your coach? Eat out!

And cook outside! 3.1 years with our coach, and we still haven't got around to buying a portable gas grill.

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