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08-07-2018, 01:10 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3,009
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Oscillating tower fan controls overheating
We dry camp frequently and use a 40" tall Cascade brand tower fan made by Blackstone in the bedroom. We like it a lot as it keeps us cool while providing some low level white noise at a rated 0.45 amps that is easy on the batteries.
Recently we noticed that the top of the fan where the controls are located was getting very warm to the touch. We also had some intermittent problems getting the Oscillate button to work. We owned the fan 4 or 5 months before having problems. When the plastic just to the right of the Oscillate switch started to dimple from the heat it was time to take it back to Costco and try another one.
We have had the new replacement fan for just a few days and it is doing the same thing. Last night I turned the fan off at 5:30 AM but left it plugged in. The only things left operating on the inverter were our 2 APAP machines which draw very little current.
When I got up at 8:00 AM I touched the top of the fan and it was quite hot and the plastic had dimpled like the previous fan. Moreover, it had apparently drawn my batteries down 0.4 volts when the APAPs should have only drawn them down 0.1 volt in that amount of time.
I called Blackstone Cus Serv who wants to send me a replacement fan. I told them I would rather speak with a qualified tech support person before wasting time with a third fan which may have the same design or manufacturing problem. I am waiting on that call.
Regardless, I feel obligated to report the situation to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and try to get the word out to other RVers who may have purchased the same fan. It may be that the design of the fans is incompatible with my modified sine wave inverter. I hope not as we really like the fan. I suspect it might be as it doesn't seem to heat up on shore power or generator power.
If you or anyone you know has one of these fans please check them for overheating, especially on inverter power. I would like to hear about it also.  
__________________
2005 Monaco Knight 40PLQ; Cummins 8.3L ISC330, Pacbrake, Allison 3000, Roadmaster RR8R, ScanGauge D, 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan VN750(Geezer Glide) on a Versahaul carrier pulling a 2013 Kia Soul+; 2.0L, 6 speed Sport shifter(great car) on an American Car Dolly(great dolly.)
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08-07-2018, 01:15 PM
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#2
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 52,379
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Thanks for the heads-up!  
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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08-07-2018, 02:21 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Calgary Alberta Can.
Posts: 45
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By chance are you using a MSW inverter?
Art.
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08-07-2018, 02:42 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3,009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rvpapa
By chance are you using a MSW inverter?
Art.
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Yes.
I intend to do some more troubleshooting using my new Yamaha PSW generator.
__________________
2005 Monaco Knight 40PLQ; Cummins 8.3L ISC330, Pacbrake, Allison 3000, Roadmaster RR8R, ScanGauge D, 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan VN750(Geezer Glide) on a Versahaul carrier pulling a 2013 Kia Soul+; 2.0L, 6 speed Sport shifter(great car) on an American Car Dolly(great dolly.)
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08-07-2018, 02:54 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,983
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Many (most?) inexpensive consumer electric appliances with motors or resistance heat that have electronic controls have issues with MSW inverters and can be a fire hazard. Getting a fan with analog controls (like a rotary knob on-off-speed control) would be a lot safer and not have problems like that. We went through the same issue with a heated mattress pad 2 years ago. Find a fan without electronic controls.
__________________
'04 Newmar Mountain Aire 4016
400ISL/Freightliner
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08-07-2018, 04:24 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3,009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FatChance
Many (most?) inexpensive consumer electric appliances with motors or resistance heat that have electronic controls have issues with MSW inverters and can be a fire hazard. Getting a fan with analog controls (like a rotary knob on-off-speed control) would be a lot safer and not have problems like that. We went through the same issue with a heated mattress pad 2 years ago. Find a fan without electronic controls.
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Way back in the back of my mind I remember hearing or reading about that. Unfortunately, it didn't come to mind when I saw the perfect solution to our night sweats on sale right in front of me. I hate to admit it but I just may be a closet impulse shopper.
Thanks for the info. I sure hope I can find an old school tower fan somewhere. I wonder if anyone still makes them.
__________________
2005 Monaco Knight 40PLQ; Cummins 8.3L ISC330, Pacbrake, Allison 3000, Roadmaster RR8R, ScanGauge D, 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan VN750(Geezer Glide) on a Versahaul carrier pulling a 2013 Kia Soul+; 2.0L, 6 speed Sport shifter(great car) on an American Car Dolly(great dolly.)
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08-07-2018, 05:24 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,983
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I am sure you can find one. We found a heated mattress pad with analog controls.
__________________
'04 Newmar Mountain Aire 4016
400ISL/Freightliner
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08-08-2018, 08:07 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,983
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Does your existing fan work properly with regular 110v current at home? That should verify that it is a MSW problem.
__________________
'04 Newmar Mountain Aire 4016
400ISL/Freightliner
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08-08-2018, 09:01 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,072
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RVpapa has it. MSW inverters will wreak havoc with electronic controls and will cause exactly what is happening to you.
Dump the MSW and buy a small PSW to run the fan
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Don
2002 Country Coach Intrigue
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08-08-2018, 09:09 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 3,165
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can you spell China?
__________________
2011 Keystone Sprinter 323 BHS. Port Charlotte Fl/Hinsdale MA. Retired Master Electrician. All Motor homes are RV's. All RV's are not Motor homes.
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08-08-2018, 09:20 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Foley AL
Posts: 7,138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FL420
Way back in the back of my mind I remember hearing or reading about that. Unfortunately, it didn't come to mind when I saw the perfect solution to our night sweats on sale right in front of me. I hate to admit it but I just may be a closet impulse shopper.
Thanks for the info. I sure hope I can find an old school tower fan somewhere. I wonder if anyone still makes them.
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YUP !!! My fan was inadvertently left plugged in (not powered up) when we got ready to leave. The MSW inverter was also on when the transfer switch did it's thing when it sensed no shore power ... SMOKE! Top of fan melted. We now use inexpensive rotary switch fans .... work fine. I also have the inverter "off" unless I actually need it. That gives me the opportunity to check what devices might be plugged in.
BTW, I use Honeywell fans from Walmart ... work fine, reasonably quiet, cheap.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Honeywell...Black/16503230
__________________
2005 Newmar Essex 4502, 2013 Caddy SRX
1997 HR Endeavor 37, CAT, 1996 Geo Tracker
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08-08-2018, 09:27 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Foley AL
Posts: 7,138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cavie
can you spell China?
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In this case it's an MSW and controller incompatibility .... not so much of a country issue.
__________________
2005 Newmar Essex 4502, 2013 Caddy SRX
1997 HR Endeavor 37, CAT, 1996 Geo Tracker
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08-08-2018, 04:44 PM
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#13
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Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 84
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If the fan was turned off at 5:00 and was still hot at 8:00, there is more concern than what type of inverter was powering it. It is a fire hazard! You might want to see if there is a UL or CSA listing on the fan's label. If you got it from Costco, demand to talk with a manager about the fire hazard.
__________________
2001 Winnebago Brave SE 26P
Workhorse, P32, 7.4L
2000 chassis, SuperSteer springs
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08-08-2018, 06:07 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 17,751
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cavie
can you spell China?
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… has absolutely nothing to do with it! It's the inverter but it's probably made there, too. Seriously, regardless of where the inverter or fan is made, don't use the fan or any other one with the inverter.
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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