Fantastic Fan variable speed control

[Ripperj]

I put a single pole single throw toggle switch up stream of the speed control. I drilled a hole near the vent crank handle.
The speed control should then feed the forward reverse switch and the vent position switch (I was a bit surprised how cheesy that part is)
I bought two controls together , one slows the blades a bit slower than the other, but the fans are slightly different vintage also, I didn't look to see if the motors were identical.

I put the speed control potentiometer (speed adjust) thru a stainless fender washer and stuck in the original speed knob hole.

Best mod ever

 

[buckland]

Thanks for the insights... I will get into this soon and post back. I was thinking of soldering a couple wires on to make them longer so to then use the original hole... then use the rocker fan direction switch to turn off the fan.... but now Ski3pin has me thinking.... is it still drawing current? I am "electrically challenged".

 

[XJINTX]

Read through this post may need to complete the mod. My question (might have missed) is the vent area above the bed wired with power from factory. My Fantastic fan is up front y my stove and that is good. Does anyone know if I can mount a fantastic fan over my bed? Many nights I wished it was there. If wired I guess I'd buy the newer quieter one.

 

[buckland]

I got the fan controller in and the fan sure sounds better. All went well with the help from Ski3pin....thanks!

As my Ebay controller has a fuse already mounted on it.... is it necessary to keep the one already in the fan? The reason I ask is I removed the 3 speed controller as well as the fuse and noticed that the hole was perfect size for the new dial...even had the small channel into which the keeper went...just added a larger washer. As I am a woodworker I have plug cutters and cut a nice round piece out of white plastic drain gutter to cover over the original dial hole. At present I have the fuse holder wired inside and as soon as I get a new hot glue gun will put everything in. Just wondering if the two fuses were overkill.

 

[rando]

Thanks for the insights... I will get into this soon and post back. I was thinking of soldering a couple wires on to make them longer so to then use the original hole... then use the rocker fan direction switch to turn off the fan.... but now Ski3pin has me thinking.... is it still drawing current? I am "electrically challenged".

The direction rocker switch has to be down stream of the speed control (otherwise you would reverse the polarity to the speed control when you change directions) so even in the middle position the speed controller is still powered up. It probably only draws a tiny amount of power, but my version has a red LED on it that is annoying to leave on, so I use the original speed control switch to shut it all the way down.

 

[ski3pin]

Rando, thanks for the explanation. I suspect then, if I want to completely cut power draw, all I need is a simple 12V on/off switch between the power in and the pwn controller.

 

[rando]

If yours doesn't have a light I suspect it draws so little current that it is not worth worrying about.

 

[ski3pin]

Okay, thanks! No LED.

 

[nixfwc]

Has anyone tried this modification on a Maxx Air fan. My Alaskan has a 3 speed that is very loud even on the lowest speed. I would like to be able to slow it down.

 

[Ozy]

This is the one you have been searching for. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B015FDP86M?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title Wire it to the in/out switch

 

[Porkface]

Sorry to revive this old thread but I discovered it last year and am only now working on the mod. But I'm confused.

I've looked at all the photos on this thread but I can't quite see enough details. I can't make out how everything's wired.

I have the DROK controller referenced in Ozy's post above. This controller has the rotary speed control and a three way toggle switch. If I'm reading the description on Amazon correctly, the three way toggle will reverse the fan rotation direction. Can anyone confirm this?

If the DROK toggle will reverse fan rotation, can't I remove the OEM toggle and speed control. All I'd need to keep is the fuse holder. Has anyone done this. Any advise is appreciated.

 

[PaulT]

--snip--
I have the DROK controller referenced in Ozy's post above. This controller has the rotary speed control and a three way toggle switch. If I'm reading the description on Amazon correctly, the three way toggle will reverse the fan rotation direction. Can anyone confirm this?

If the DROK toggle will reverse fan rotation, can't I remove the OEM toggle and speed control. All I'd need to keep is the fuse holder. Has anyone done this. Any advise is appreciated.

I just did this mod this summer. The three way switch operates the same as the existing three way switch (In, Off, Out). Yes, you can remove it. I had a cookie tin that I cut up with a metal nibbler and a drill to fit the rotary speed control and the 3 way switch in place of the old 3 way switch. The new control's wires are not long enough to reach to the speed control hole. I did not have to drill the plastic of the shroud.

Because I use Anderson PowerPoles with my ham gear, I added PowerPoles to the wires coming finto the fan wiring area. This allowed me to do all the work at the bench and test using a 12v power supply I had and just plug ithe power back in when I was finished with the mods.

The hardest part for me was tidying up the wiring to attach and wrap around the fan shroud. VHB tape and hot glue helped. I wasn't as neat as I should have been because I had to hurry to finish before a camping trip. Take photos as you go to record where the original wiring runs. I didn't do that. It would have helped. Don't rush like I did.

You will appreciate the reduction in power consumption and great reduction in noise. Minimum speed will exhaust the steam from boiling water for coffee/tea quickly and won't exhaust your heated air in the camper. The fan now uses about 0.2 amps now instead of 1.5 amps on low.

Paul

 

[buckland]

Ditto on the noise reduction and electro use... great to just have a gentle flow of air w/o the noise. Hang in there ...it is a squirrelly job with the wires and hot glue but once done you'll be happy. My three way switch still is good in and out.

 

[Porkface]

Finally able to get back to this project. Everything installed and working. The controller is quiet but, unfortunately the fan squeaks in one direction. It squeaks venting out. Guess I never noticed with the noise from the high speed fan with the old controls.

Thanks for everyone's help.
Tony

 

[Vic Harder]

when i did this with an inexpensive ebay PWM control it squealed like crazy when on low speed. I fixed it with a large capacitor across the power leads... might need to add a coil inline as well. Otherwise, having the variable speed feature is awesome.

 

[Porkface]

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't think the squeak has anything to do with the PWM controller. The fan squeaks when I spin the fan blades by hand and it has a cyclic sound. It sounds like the squeak is coming from the motor area. Maybe a bearing?

I tried to remove the fan blades. I couldn't reach the center hub of the fan blades and I was pulling so hard I was afraid of breaking the blades.

I agree on the variable speed, that's why I did the mod. The stock fan was too fast and loud.

I have an extra computer case fan so I'll try that mod. I'm just after a little extra ventilation to reduce condensation.

 

[buckland]

Bingo on that... I did the mod... and love it. BUT.... mine is silent on exhaust but I get the eck...sound on the intake on a cyclical pattern. I think the blades are balanced one way but may have a burr that hits something ...I have yet found... the other way. It is one of those things that either makes you smile and say screw it or it will drive you to find it.... I use mine on exhaust 99% so ... screw it was easy.

 

[penner]

Realize that if I am going to get any use of my fan I will have to quiet it down . Thinking I will order the Drok like Ozy mentioned. Have they been working out for you that have used that one ? Or is there a better - easier option? Thanks.

 

[Ozy]

The one that I got is working awesome.

 

[LAWNMOWERMAN]

I installed the Drok PWM speed +direction control board in my Fantastic Fan and it works very well but makes a whining noise at low speeds.The noise goes away at higher speeds but is somewhat irritating at the lowest speeds.Does any one have any ideas as to reducing the noise? I did some research and the nature of the PWM's low frequency seems to be the culprit.I can live with it but had I known about the noise I would not have done this mod.