Fantastic Vent Baseplate Warping … has anyone seen this?

[Charliesmom]

I had a Dometic Fantastic Vent 3350 installed when our Transit was built out 2 1/2 years ago at then SMB West. I’ve noticed that the ”plastic” baseplate is now warped. The fan works perfectly, doesn’t leak and is not too loud. I spoke to Dometic Support (Fantastic Vent has a limited 7-year warranty) along with sending pictures of the baseplate. Their response: “After reviewing the photos provided and advising with our person here who specializes with the fans this would be caused by the heat of the sun. Unfortunately since this was due to the elements rather than a manufacture defect we would not cover the cost of replacement parts under warranty.”
Granted, we live in Arizona, but there must be thousands of these fans on vans and RV’s that are stored in hot climates during the summer months that haven’t reported this issue. I don’t have it in a roofed enclosure but do keep the van covered when we are not traveling in it. The baseplate piece that needs replacing is not available to purchase without all the component parts, i.e. Motor to raise the cover, circuit board, switches …. Basically, the guts of the fan.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Since it’s not leaking and the fan works great, my feeling is to do nothing at present and see what happens. Thoughts?

[N147JK]

Is it possible it wasn't installed correctly? Maybe that sagging portion is supposed to by supported from above. Looks like the fan is just screwed in place - I'd take it apart and check out what's going on up in there.

[doublevan2]

Hopefully nothing more than shooting some good caulk (gutter caulk ?) under the warped edge - and applying some masking tape to "cinch" it into place for a couple of days ?
AND - before doing that - follow N147JK's advice - make sure your roof is not coming apart ? Good luck --

[86Scotty]

It's just the interior trim plate, about .50 worth of plastic. It is unusual that yours has warped and kind of a shame that any decent customer service with a big corporation won't just put you a replacement in the mail though.

I have had many of these baking in the sun for years and never seen one warp.

[Charliesmom]

@86Scotty
I had’t noticed any warping either until we came back from a trip to Wyoming and Montana in July. I had been using a Strawfoot vent cover to keep the sun out when the van was parked and also when it is in our driveway. I wondered whether the Strawfoot was acting as a “heat sink” in the ceiling area as the backing on the cover is black. I did some measurements using a Moat temperature sensor. The space between the fan and the Strawfoot cover was 152 degrees! With the dome cracked open and covered with a Reflectix boot, and no Strawfoot, the temperature in that space was still 144 degrees. The overall van temp was 106 in the van (measured by the rooftop AC sensor mounted inside. The outside temperature measured in the shade was 105. Waiting for a further response from Dometic to see if they will send/sell me just the plastic baseplate without the motor, switches, etc. I had a Fantastic Vent on a previous teardrop trailer. I never saw this issue in the three years we owned it and it was parked in the same conditions. I actually love the way this fan performs.
@N147JK The fan was installed by SMB West (now Field Vans) in 2020. I will call them this week to see how it was mounted and if they used an adapter (i.e. Hein) or something similar. I’ll wait to hear their answers and comments before I take it apart.
@doublevan2 Once I figure out the above, I’ll likely do your suggestion and caulk all the seams to prevent any water intrusion. If I have to replace the fan …. I would guess I would go with a Maxxfan (albeit they have their own issues with higher voltages requiring an AM voltage regulator).

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

It's just the interior trim plate, about .50 worth of plastic.

I’m not at all surprised it warped a bit with the heat it experiences. Personally, I’d simply seal it with a little chalk and call it good.

[Charliesmom]

I’m not surprised that it warped either, but I’m very surprised that no one else has reported on it. I’ll wait for a few more answers from Dometic and Peter at Field Vans, but likely will lay some caulk as has been suggested.
Thanks.

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

It's just the interior trim plate, about .50 worth of plastic. It is unusual that yours has warped and kind of a shame that any decent customer service with a big corporation won't just put you a replacement in the mail though.

I have had many of these baking in the sun for years and never seen one warp.

Agree. So their response of "...this would be caused by the heat of the sun. Unfortunately since this was due to the elements rather than a manufacture defect we would not cover the cost of replacement parts under warranty...” tells me that the manufacturer did not adequately design their product to withstand the environment that the part is intended for (roof of an RV)?


Herb

[ScrapIron]

I went threw 3 fantastic fans before i finally said enough is enough and purchased the MaxxAir vent fan instead. Its a far superior product although in terms of your issue it probably wouldnt have made a difference.

[Lcavalletti]

IMHO the fantastic fan and the maxx aire are just a poor quality product. My brand new fan installed less than a year ago, makes a squealing noise intermittently with no fix, other than replace the motor. the housing is flimsy and makes a lot of noise when travelling in with a guide headwind or sidewind.



Cant anyone actually make a good quality rv ceiling fan product? I would pay more if one existed.