Question about my Fantastic vent fan operation - Montana Owners Club

Mark N. · 05-27-2014, 06:21 PM

So, I am leaving home for a week or 2, and my 5'er is staying home (I know...It feels weird). We are getting hot here now, and I am thinking of leaving a couple windows cracked and the fan on manual/high while I'm gone. I have the rig plugged into a 30 amp outlet at my house. I know they have a rain sensor, so I feel leaving it unattended is within it's design intentions. My question is: If the sensor senses rain and shuts it off and closes the lid, does it open and turn back on once the moisture is gone? Thanks in advance.

Trailer Trash 2 · 05-27-2014, 06:27 PM

mine does but it is a 04 model

dunrovin1955 · 05-27-2014, 10:52 PM

Yes they do.

WaltBennett · 05-28-2014, 12:30 AM

They do close, but not all that quickly and water's got to hit that sensor first. A sudden storm left a puddle in ours once, so I try not to rely on it and close the thing if the weather's at all doubtful.

Lack of HP · 05-28-2014, 12:59 AM

Not the best expert on this but I was thinking I read somewhere in my owners manual on my 2014 that the rain sensor would not work in manual mode. Might check on that. I have never tried it. Joe

1retired06 · 05-28-2014, 01:08 AM

Yes, as long in the automatic mode. Learned that the hard way.

**DQDick** · 05-28-2014, 03:40 AM

Why use the manual mode anyway. Automatic will use as much fan as needed to keep it cool. Also, if this isn't just a one time thing consider putting a cover over the vent.

akf15e · 05-28-2014, 04:44 AM

You could always put a bucket or plastic tub under it to catch whatever rain comes in before the sensor activates.

randye · 05-28-2014, 05:16 AM

Back in 07 which is the year of the montie, I put on the Vent cap and that way it will run without shutting from the rain. It works best for us. When DW is cooking the windows will sometimes fog up even when it's raining. So we can run it and clear up the windows.

Mark N. · 05-28-2014, 06:20 AM

UPDATE: Well, after reading all of your usual brilliant comments and suggestions, I just finished installing a Camco Aero-Flo 40421 vent cover over the top of the Fantastic Fan. I switched it to "Auto" and set it at 75 degrees. Now I can leave it for a couple of weeks and know that it won't be hitting 110 degrees inside the 5'er and no water can enter through the fan, even if it's a sudden downpour.
In fact, now I'm buying 2 more of them to cover the other 2 vents. I just know sooner or later I will end up leaving one open while gone and come back to about half a serious downpour inside my bathroom or something. I think I'll do a dark one though in my bedroom for those early mornings I want to keep dark in there.

**Rondo** · 05-28-2014, 07:58 AM

Mark-- You have already purchased the Camco cover but Fantastic Fan now has a cover for their fans also that the cover will actually open all the way and allow the air to flow with no problem. The sensor at times will be null and void since you have the cover over it but unless the wind is blowing the rain in there should be not problems. I plan on putting covers over all of our vents whether Fantastic Fan or not. They also make it nice at times to just circulate the air by slightly opening a couple of the windows to create a cross draft.

tim43 · 05-28-2014, 08:45 AM

I recently bought two fantastic fan covers and had my kids put them on about a month ago. DW won't let me on the roof anymore due to recent back surgery and a drop foot. I just leave a side vent window slightly cracked and have all three vents open. Seems to be working so far. Humidity is staying below 65 so far and that should do it. And- the humidity here in NC is way up there right now.

Mark N. · 05-28-2014, 10:44 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Rondo

Mark-- You have already purchased the Camco cover but Fantastic Fan now has a cover for their fans also that the cover will actually open all the way and allow the air to flow with no problem. The sensor at times will be null and void since you have the cover over it but unless the wind is blowing the rain in there should be not problems. I plan on putting covers over all of our vents whether Fantastic Fan or not. They also make it nice at times to just circulate the air by slightly opening a couple of the windows to create a cross draft.

Thanks Rondo! I'll look at that. I can always just remove the Camco from this fan when I get that one and reinstall it over my bathroom fan.
I pondered the fact that it wasn't opening quite all the way, but I already had it, and I figured the Fantastic fan isn't running on high most of the time anyway, so I reasoned that a somewhat reduced exhaust area should be just fine. But, I like the idea of all the way open, so I think that's the way I'll go. Thanks again.

CORattler · 05-28-2014, 05:06 PM

X2
Fantastic fan covers are on my short list. They are designed specifically for the Fantastic fans.

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Rondo

Mark-- You have already purchased the Camco cover but Fantastic Fan now has a cover for their fans also that the cover will actually open all the way and allow the air to flow with no problem. The sensor at times will be null and void since you have the cover over it but unless the wind is blowing the rain in there should be not problems. I plan on putting covers over all of our vents whether Fantastic Fan or not. They also make it nice at times to just circulate the air by slightly opening a couple of the windows to create a cross draft.

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