Aluminum Camper Forum

Livin Lite Forum => Camplite and Bearcat Travel Trailers => Topic started by: zonzin on October 01, 2017, 06:52:20 PM

Title: Adding a speed controller to the vent fan
Post by: zonzin on October 01, 2017, 06:52:20 PM
Has anyone swapped out the push button on / off switch for a variable speed controller on the vent fan? Any suggestion on what controller to get?



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Title: Re: Adding a speed controller to the vent fan
Post by: DavidM on October 01, 2017, 08:46:02 PM
This controller might work:

https://www.amazon.com/RioRand-Controller-Efficiency-Generating-Protection/dp/B007TH4EN6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1506899328&sr=8-2&keywords=12+volt+motor+speed+controller

David
Title: Re: Adding a speed controller to the vent fan
Post by: Merlin on October 01, 2017, 09:24:05 PM
My 16TBS came with the single speed Hengs Vortex I fans. Noisy and not at all versatile. Since I wanted multiple speeds and reversible flow and didn't want to mess with the roof, I just bought 2 of these Hengs Vortex II fan upgrade kits and did a straight and easy swap, all from the inside.

https://www.amazon.com/VARIABLE-MOTORHOME-CEILING-REPLACEMENT-90046-CR/dp/B017C0RLP2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506903474&sr=8-1&keywords=Hengs+vent+fan
Title: Re: Adding a speed controller to the vent fan
Post by: lboyd on October 01, 2017, 09:59:24 PM
Quote from: Merlin on October 01, 2017, 09:24:05 PM
My 16TBS came with the single speed Hengs Vortex I fans. Noisy and not at all versatile. Since I wanted multiple speeds and reversible flow and didn't want to mess with the roof, I just bought 2 of these Hengs Vortex II fan upgrade kits and did a straight and easy swap, all from the inside.

https://www.amazon.com/VARIABLE-MOTORHOME-CEILING-REPLACEMENT-90046-CR/dp/B017C0RLP2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506903474&sr=8-1&keywords=Hengs+vent+fan
Thanks for sharing Merlin!

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Title: Re: Adding a speed controller to the vent fan
Post by: Paul on October 02, 2017, 09:24:29 AM
Quote from: Merlin on October 01, 2017, 09:24:05 PM
My 16TBS came with the single speed Hengs Vortex I fans. Noisy and not at all versatile. Since I wanted multiple speeds and reversible flow and didn't want to mess with the roof, I just bought 2 of these Hengs Vortex II fan upgrade kits and did a straight and easy swap, all from the inside.

https://www.amazon.com/VARIABLE-MOTORHOME-CEILING-REPLACEMENT-90046-CR/dp/B017C0RLP2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506903474&sr=8-1&keywords=Hengs+vent+fan

That is really nice! If I knew you could do this I would have done it to my 13QBB! I ordered my 21BHS with fantastic fans  :D
Title: Re: Adding a speed controller to the vent fan
Post by: craigd on October 08, 2017, 09:01:43 AM
I did the same upgrade as Merlin, works great.
Title: Re: Adding a speed controller to the vent fan
Post by: nhlakes on May 09, 2018, 04:36:33 PM
With the warm weather rapidly approaching and a 5 day trip planned in VA for later this month, I just ordered a Vortex II upgrade kit to try out.

We had fantastic fans in my last camper and liked how quiet and adjustable they were - but I do not feel like installing 3 fantastic fans (since it sounds like the installation/retrofit is somewhat of a pain.) 

These stock Vortex fans are loud, single speed, and single direction, and the AC is naturally on the loud side as well, so I'm going to try upgrade the fan over the bed to see how that works for cooling the trailer overnight without having to listen to the AC or stock fans.
Title: Re: Adding a speed controller to the vent fan
Post by: Diversteve on May 09, 2018, 09:34:41 PM
This is the one i added, put one on the main fan and the bath fan.
Great little speed control and no buzz at low speed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F839VNQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Title: Re: Adding a speed controller to the vent fan
Post by: nhlakes on May 10, 2018, 07:25:32 AM
Quote from: Diversteve on May 09, 2018, 09:34:41 PM
This is the one i added, put one on the main fan and the bath fan.
Great little speed control and no buzz at low speed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F839VNQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had not seen that one, but that'll certainly be a consideration for the other 2 fans.  I wanted the ability to reverse flow over the bed, so the Vortex II upgrade should suffice.  However on the other 2, being able to dial them down a little should suffice - and yours is much cheaper!  Thanks. More projects.... ;)
Title: Re: Adding a speed controller to the vent fan
Post by: Odie on June 12, 2021, 10:12:26 PM
A little thread revival.

I got this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07FLLGCGS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

It's in an enclosure, so it's less exposed. I just installed it on my bathroom fan. Haven't noticed any noise from the controller itself and the fan motor is much quieter at lower speeds.

I'm tempted to try a reversible version on one of the other fans, but I'm not entirely convinced there is a need for reverse. I suppose it could be useful to force in air through one fan while the other two blow out, but you could just as easily leave that one fan off and air will get sucked in through that vent anyway.