Fantastic fan vs maxxair

[dad2taylor]

Preferences?  Why.?

 

[B and C]

They are both good fans. Mine came with a good working fantastic fan so I didn't change it. I just put a weatherproof cover on it so I could use it in the rain. Only three speed fan but how many speeds do you need really and it has a thermostat and reversing switch.

The maxxaire doesn't require a rain hood. I think it's footprint when in the down position is bigger.

Me, myself and I would stay with the fantastic vent just because of the smaller footprint but I won't change its' position on the roof either to keep from shading my panels.

Don't let me influence you. Like I said, both are good. What fits you and your budget best?

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I have a MaxxAir 5100.  The reasons I like it better than Fantastic Fan:

 - It can stay open in the rain.
 - it has 2 hood supports vs. fantastic fan's one.

Because of the built in rain protection MaxxFan takes up more roof real estate than a FF (it is longer) and it is ~2" taller when closed.  It is much lower than a rain hood.
They both draw the same amps at comparable fan speeds and are equally quiet.

 

[dad2taylor]

Thanks Guys!

 

[barleyguy]

Like other people said, the MaxxAir is better in the rain. Also, it's better in the wind, which other people didn't mention. The Fantastic fan has a flap that opens up, and it has to be closed in high winds or it gets pulled around by the wind and has a risk of breaking.

I have a Fantastic Fan. It closes itself in the rain (mine has the rain sensor), but I have to close it manually when the wind starts being a problem. BTW, I'm talking Wyoming/Colorado winds up in the 40+ MPH range. If you camp somewhere where "high wind" is 10 MPH, disregard the comments about wind.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Maxxair also makes several models that, like the Fantastic Fan, have a lid that opens and will let heavy rain in.

https://www.airxcel.com/rv/maxxair/products/fans

So its not an either-or choice, really. 

And you can always buy a rain hood for any of these 'open' fan designs.

I have used many different models over the years, they all tend to do the job well.

 

[Reducto]

Something I've never seen mentioned that I prefer about the maxx - it keeps out direct sunlight. I like to sleep during the day and when I had a fantastic fan I'd often get a sliver of light hitting me in the eye. With the maxxfan there aren't any direct paths for the sun to enter. There was still a bit too much indirect light so I painted the inside cover.

I never had a rain cover on my fantastic fan but it seems like it would still have the issue if light is coming from the rear.

It does take up more space and stands out a lot more. FF with no rain cover is more stealthy.

 

[barleyguy]

I have a piece of reflectix cut the exact size of my fantastic fan with velcro around the edges. When I'm not using it, I put the reflectix over the top of it. Keeps out light and radiant heat. That of course won't work if you want to have no light coming in and the fan running.