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8:37 pm
June 3, 2010
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dawng
| | Madison, WI | |
| Member | posts 9 |
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Hey folks,
Anyone here know of or put in a Fantastic Fan (other than they are kind of spendy)? Rick and I like boondocking for a day or two (or three) and I thought it might be a nice addition. Any experience with any of the models? Do they really suck off a 12v or are they the good alternative to AC?
Thanks,
Dawn… (getting really good at math)
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7:34 pm
June 4, 2010
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Sportsman Matt
| | Central MA | |
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| posts 95 |
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Check with smilinjohn, he installed the Vortex fan in his trailer, guess it wasn't that hard to install and doesn't require removing the roof vent to install either.
I looked at the Fantastic Fan, but the Vortex looks soooo much easier to install and doesn't require ripping the existing roof vent off. Plus it costs much less than the Fantastic Fan.
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11:01 pm
June 4, 2010
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smilinjohn
| | Minnesota Prairie | |
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| posts 380 |
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Post edited 5:24 pm – July 9, 2010 by smilinjohn
Yes, Dawn and Rick, my very first mod was to install a Henge's Vortex I fan in the bathroom skylight / vent. I tapped into the adjacent bathroom 12 volt dc light……I did have to add 12″ – 15″ of jumper wires to reach the ceiling light. The Vortex I is a single speed……FAST, expelling 188 cu. ft./minute from the TT. It should only take about 2 minutes, 56 seconds to completely exchange the air in our 14RK @ 550 cu. ft., but in reality takes somewhat longer. This mod reduces the incoming light by about 50%, though still plenty of light remains. See installation instructions / photos at RV.Net forum under "travel trailers".
One of my latest mods is a 12 volt dc oscillating fan from NAPA Auto Parts @ $20 (1.35 to 1.65 amp motor), really moves the air. I mounted on a hardwood block 5″ x 8″ x 3/4″ thick, with 4 little rubber bumper feet (see your local cabinet maker). I purchased the mated 12 volt male cigarette lighter connector, that I plug into the adjacent "TV Booster / Antenna Coax connector" on the ceiling, above the refer.
DW, Donna, wanted a 12 volt fan to stay cool with, while at the local horse shows and a place to change clothes is another reason for the TT. Donna rides English on her Arabian mount. (While, I have petting privleges. )
 John
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2010 Sportsmen Classic 14RK; 2005 Ford F-150, 5.4L V8; "…..it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin
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11:06 pm
June 4, 2010
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smilinjohn
| | Minnesota Prairie | |
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| posts 380 |
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The Vortex I Retrofit fan was $46.90 delivered to our home. Bought it on E-bay.
John
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2010 Sportsmen Classic 14RK; 2005 Ford F-150, 5.4L V8; "…..it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin
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5:04 am
July 9, 2010
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jjmummert
| | Columbia, MO | |
| Member | posts 8 |
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Husband had the Fantastic Fan installed by the dealer when picking it up yesterday. After reading about questionable utility of the A/C unit in the 19BH when the weather is hot…..he was adamant about having the F.F. installed. It will be useful drawing air in….and taking air out. It was installed in the kitchen/dining area of the 19BH. Now he's happy.
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Jenny & George Mummert – Columbia, MO – 19BH – Ford Flex with tow package
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7:26 am
July 9, 2010
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Steve
| | San Antonio, TX | |
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| posts 193 |
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Yup. I've got that slated to be done with my 16bh too. Gonna do the main cabin one first and then replace the one in the shower too.
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http://haven106.blogspot.com
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10:20 am
July 9, 2010
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smilinjohn
| | Minnesota Prairie | |
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| posts 380 |
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smilinjohn said:
The Vortex I Retrofit fan was $46.90 delivered to our home. Bought it on E-bay.
 John
The Vortex I Retrofit is the "poor man's version" of the Fantastic Fan (the cat's meow), which has reverse, variable speed, auto vent cap and rain sensor. I've read elsewhere that with the Fantastic Fan, except for the humidity, one does not need air conditioning.
John
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2010 Sportsmen Classic 14RK; 2005 Ford F-150, 5.4L V8; "…..it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin
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5:44 pm
July 9, 2010
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Jason
| | Akron, OH | |
| Member | posts 12 |
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Dawn,
I also had the Fantastic Fan installed by the dealer. Our maiden voyage was last week and the weather was a tad cooler than normal. Didn't need the AC but did use the fan. It has three speeds, is reversible and will close up automatically when it rains. We thought it did a good job of keeping the trailer cool. On the high speed it moves quite a bit of air, although it's still too early to give a ringing endorsement.
I like the recomendation of others on the Vortex fan in the bathroom. Sounds like an affordable and easy mod.
Hope everyone had a great holiday.
Jason
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1:08 pm
July 11, 2010
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Steve
| | San Antonio, TX | |
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| posts 193 |
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How much is the Fantastic Fan + labor? I'm going to be dry camping more than anything so the AC will be useless to me then. The vortex sounds good, but I like what I'm hearing about the 3 speeds and reversible feature of the FF.
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http://haven106.blogspot.com
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1:23 pm
July 11, 2010
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jjmummert
| | Columbia, MO | |
| Member | posts 8 |
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My husband said he thinks Camping World would install it for about $175. (fan plus labor) gulp. He paid a bit more when we picked it up from a dealer last week. gulp. gulp.
We are on our maiden voyage (originally headed to Colorado, but decided to be closer to elderly parents…so we drove to Wisconsin yesterday). Used the fan llast night in southern Wisconsin – first evening. Evening temps were in the upper 60s. Drew the air in quite nicely. I think we'll be glad we have it. We're not handy folks….so paying to have it done was required….but I'm sure there are very suitable alternatives.
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Jenny & George Mummert – Columbia, MO – 19BH – Ford Flex with tow package
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10:04 am
July 12, 2010
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Steve
| | San Antonio, TX | |
| Moderator
| posts 193 |
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The cost isn't too bad for the FF. I found it as low as $120 online and could install it myself to save money. I might still have it installed so if something goes wrong I've got someone to blame other than myself.
I think I may do a combo of the FF and Vortex. The FF (4000R) for the main cabin and the Vortex for the shower (if I even need it).
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http://haven106.blogspot.com
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