Community Forums

mikervet · 01-13-2023, 07:30 PM

I would like to put a cover over my Dometic Fantastic vent fan. When the fan lid is open it measures 11 1/4 inches high. The Fantastic vent cover made by Dometic is only 10 1/4 inches tall. I called Dometic and was told that the motor will sense when the lid touches the cover and will stop with no damage. I would like to confirm this with actual customers that have installed the cover.

Also if this is true can I use any vent cover that will fit over the lid? I have used Maxx Air on the last 2 RV's and really liked them. Another advantage with Maxx Air is that the brackets are attached by drilling holes in the frame of the vent and using nuts and bolts. The Fantastic cover requires removing the roof sealant to access screws to attach the brackets and then resealing the area. I would rather not disturb that sealant on a 2022 Tiffin Open Road.

I would appreciate feedback from owners that have installed these.

TB673 · 01-13-2023, 08:35 PM

I've installed 2 MaxxAirII covers over our Fantastic Vent Fans.
When turning the fan on, the dome cover opens up and when it contacts the MaxxAirII cover, the dome cover stops, and the fan starts.

Knowing this, I would say that you could probably use any cover that fits, but the taller the cover, the further you can open the dome, and the more air you can move with the fan.

Tim

Topperace · 01-14-2023, 08:38 AM

I installed the vent cover over ours and the motor does stop, but it does lift the vent cover up about 1/8 to 1/4". I was concerned about this over time and wearing out, or stressing the vent mount part, but never had a problem with it after all.

US1 · 01-14-2023, 09:33 AM

Mine works just fine. As soon as the vent lid has reached near full open, or at least till it hits the cover, I release the button. I dont hold it any longer. Not sure how much more ventilation I'd gain between 3/4 open to 100% open to continue till the motor stalls.

Skip426 · 01-14-2023, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topperace

I installed the vent cover over ours and the motor does stop, but it does lift the vent cover up about 1/8 to 1/4". I was concerned about this over time and wearing out, or stressing the vent mount part, but never had a problem with it after all.

The vent is built so that the overall height of the RV is not increased by installing the cover ( cover is no higher than the vent lid fully open without the cover) .
Nine years with the cover on the original 1999 Fantastic fan and no issues .

Dutch Star Don · 01-14-2023, 03:01 PM

No issue with the lid hitting the cover, so you have several choices. However, I like the Fantastic cover because it's easy to install and has 4 pins that allow you to quickly remove the cover and clean the lid.

mlpeloquin · 01-14-2023, 03:17 PM

I too used a standard vent cover on my fifth wheel. It worked fine. If you want a 11.5 inch tall Fantastic vent fan cover you will find it on Amazon.

Fantastic fan vent cover

mikervet · 01-15-2023, 09:47 AM

Thank you all for the replies. It sounds like it will work for me.

Devoir · 02-21-2023, 07:38 PM

Wouldn't it be a novel idea if the manufacturers put this bit of information on their website????

I just purchased three of these units and found they are about 1" to low otherwise the 14" x 14" vent cover runs into the cover... It wasn't until i started researching here. Low and behold this conversation from prior post is over 2200 days old ..

If the manufacturers cared this would be a clarification on their websites...

Many thanks for folks confirming what should be in the instruction manual.

Ray,IN · 02-22-2023, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikervet

I would like to put a cover over my Dometic Fantastic vent fan. When the fan lid is open it measures 11 1/4 inches high. The Fantastic vent cover made by Dometic is only 10 1/4 inches tall. I called Dometic and was told that the motor will sense when the lid touches the cover and will stop with no damage. I would like to confirm this with actual customers that have installed the cover.

Also if this is true can I use any vent cover that will fit over the lid? I have used Maxx Air on the last 2 RV's and really liked them. Another advantage with Maxx Air is that the brackets are attached by drilling holes in the frame of the vent and using nuts and bolts. The Fantastic cover requires removing the roof sealant to access screws to attach the brackets and then resealing the area. I would rather not disturb that sealant on a 2022 Tiffin Open Road.

I would appreciate feedback from owners that have installed these.

You were told correctly. I have the standard height covers over all 3 of my FanTastic fans. There is one caveat; if your plastic lids are brittle from prolonged sunlight they eventually break on the side with the lifting arm.
This happens because the controller normally senses end of travel of the arm, but the lid contacting the rain cover causes early resistance to the motor controller..

Now the good part; FanTastic fan has a lifetime warranty on the plastic lids and Dometic still has the same warranty. The rest of the unit has a 7 yr warranty.

Dometic has replaced all 3 of my lids, even sent them by FedX at no charge.

Jpool · 02-22-2023, 06:21 PM

The only thing that I dislike about the Dometic is if you like the fan lid to be open for ventilation with the coach power is off like I did with our class c is the rain will come in. The Max Air were better at keeping rain out even when I washed the roof off. My Newmar that we have now with the Dometic fan covers either need to have power for the rain sensor to activate or keep closed while stored in the driveway due to I do not keep plugged into shore power.