Fantastic Vent Thermostat

BigTrace · 03-17-2006, 05:54 PM

Something I pondered today was "WHY" do I have a thermostat for my main fantastic fan? Does anyone use this? I realize what it does, but I'd rather just flip a switch and the fan comes on. Sometimes less is more. Maybe this is only a Vectra/Horizon thing I don't know. Any views on this?

BigTrace · 03-17-2006, 05:54 PM

Something I pondered today was "WHY" do I have a thermostat for my main fantastic fan? Does anyone use this? I realize what it does, but I'd rather just flip a switch and the fan comes on. Sometimes less is more. Maybe this is only a Vectra/Horizon thing I don't know. Any views on this?

Dougmyers · 03-17-2006, 06:05 PM

I see the benifits as two ways you can set it and forget it.
It will come on when it needs to and you dont even have to move after you get it set.
It goes off and you dont have do anything, it will save your batts power.
Mine has the thermostat and the air in air out switch position.

I like it!

rebelsbeach · 03-17-2006, 06:08 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dougmyers:
I see the benifits as two ways you can set it and forget it.
It will come on when it needs to and you dont even have to move after you get it set.
It goes off and you dont have do anything, it will save your batts power.
Mine has the thermostat and the air in air out switch position.
I like it! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Me too...besides I can't reach it too easily!!

BigTrace · 03-17-2006, 06:22 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dougmyers:
I see the benifits as two ways you can set it and forget it.
It will come on when it needs to and you dont even have to move after you get it set.
It goes off and you dont have do anything, it will save your batts power.
Mine has the thermostat and the air in air out switch position.

I like it! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I guess I can see some benefit, but usually, I just want to turn it on, not fuss with a temperature setting. If it is to work properly, you need some kind of cross ventilation meaning an open window. I don't usually leave windows open when I'm not there and I'm afraid of what might if I don't have an open window. I know the coach won't implode or anything, but I also think it isn't healthy for the fan.

rebelsbeach · 03-17-2006, 06:25 PM

First thing I need to do is order a rain sensor,as the Vectra doesn't come with one...

BigTrace · 03-17-2006, 06:34 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rebelsbeach:
First thing I need to do is order a rain sensor,as the Vectra doesn't come with one... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Can you retrofit that in? I was thinking of getting rid of the thermostat switch in favor of a standard on/off switch. I pulled the sensor off the wall and noticed 2 yellow cable leads. I'm figuring that one should be hot power in and the other, hot power out. If not, it is just a relay. No ground to speak of.

AFChap · 03-17-2006, 06:34 PM

We have two Fantastic fans w/thermostats, and use them frequently at night when the weather is cool. We can set them for apx 65 and if it gets cooler than that, they shut down...great feature!! If you don't want to mess with a temp setting just push the thermostat all the way up for open, or all the way down for closed.

As for the rain sensor, one of our's does have the rain sensor on it, but I put high-volume MaxAir vent covers over both Fantastic fan vents to protect them, so don't need to worry about rain now unless it is a hurricane blowing directly from the rear of the coach...

BigTrace · 03-17-2006, 06:41 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AFChap:
We have two Fantastic fans w/thermostats, and use them frequently at night when the weather is cool. We can set them for apx 65 and if it gets cooler than that, they shut down...great feature!! If you don't want to mess with a temp setting just push the thermostat all the way up for open, or all the way down for closed.

As for the rain sensor, one of our's does have the rain sensor on it, but I put high-volume MaxAir vent covers over both Fantastic fan vents to protect them, so don't need to worry about rain now unless it is a hurricane blowing directly from the rear of the coach... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Didn't think of the night time thing. That would be a good feature for that. Maybe some re-thinking is in order Hmmmm..

rebelsbeach · 03-17-2006, 06:46 PM

While I realize everyone does it and the newer vent covers are less restrictive...

From MaxxAir site

Q-With a fan-mate 800 installed over a fantastic fan, can the fantastic fan be FULLY opened without hitting the fan-mate cover?

A-No, it cannot, but nearly so. The fan has circuitry that stops the lid from opening when it hits an obstacle. This same cercuit is also designed to shut off the lid motor when the unit is closed. It is a very typical function and many thousands of FanMates have been in service for years in this manner. You will notice little if any difference in the performance of your fan with the use of this product other than the fact you can keep it open and running in the rain.

Now from
Fantastic Vent site
Q. DO YOU RECOMMEND VENT COVERS?
A. Vent covers restrict the airflow of your Fan-Tastic Vent by about sixty percent. In addition, covering your vent requires more frequent cleaning due to dust and dirt accumulation. Although we do not recommend any cover over your Fan-Tastic Vent, it will not void your warranty.

AFChap · 03-18-2006, 08:55 AM

Yeah, I've read all that stuff from MaxxAir and Fantastic Vent websites and printed manuals. We don't notice that much restriction in air flow (60% has to be a exagerration, or worse case scenario with the old smaller covers ...they pull plenty of air through to keep us cool), and they don't require all that much more cleaning in our opinion. All covers will require some cleaning, but we have never had to remove the covers as some warned me I would have to. We have had pine needles get in one a couple of times in 2 years when we are parked around pine trees and have one vent blowing out and one turned off with air coming in. It's very easy to remove the screen from inside the coach and remove any pine needles that won't blow out on their own. And with the covers, we can have them open during a downpour if we need the cooling.

bflem · 03-18-2006, 10:26 AM

We had the Rain Sensor installed by Fantastic at Grand National on our fan. It worked great in the midwest but camping on the coast with heavy nightime dew it would close then open in a few minutes and keep repeating this sequence. It doesn't take much moisture to close the vent.

JerryF101 · 03-18-2006, 04:24 PM

I noticed that nobody mentioned a pet being in the RV. We use ours as a backup if we lose power at the campground. We leave a side window open a small amount and this with the fan will draw enough air to keep the temp. down

BigTrace · 03-19-2006, 06:01 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by JerryF101:
I noticed that nobody mentioned a pet being in the RV. We use ours as a backup if we lose power at the campground. We leave a side window open a small amount and this with the fan will draw enough air to keep the temp. down </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey JerryF101,

That's is a really good point as we do travel with our dogs quite a bit. Having the rain sensor is a good thing too. I'm going to leave it in place even though I would very "rarely" use it with the thermostat, but I guess it is better to have it than not to have it.

I appreciate everyone's input. That's why we're all here!!