Alpine ceiling fan worthless? - Page 2

purebred · 09-14-2020, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybouy

Back to your fan, is it reversible? When any ceiling fan is run "in reverse" then the air is moved across the ceiling to distribute warm air across the ceiling and down the walls vs blowing the air straight down.

Yes it is reversible, with three speeds also. It won't hit the slides when in. I have to say one thing in its defense. It sure looks good

just doesn't blow

**sourdough** · 09-14-2020, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javi

I'm actually glad to have my fan.. is it the best fan in the world... No

But it does help move the air around... and it's one less thing sitting on the table or in the corner..

^^^^Javi hit the nail on the head.

An RV "ceiling fan" is an RV ceiling fan....not a residential fan with 60" blades suspended 4-5' below the ceiling enabling it to push out hurricane force winds. You know by looking at them that the performance will be reduced simply by the size and mounting location. Then the option is left to the buyer to either buy one or not - lots and lots of trailers don't have them.

Some might say they aren't installed correctly because they should be suspended further from the ceiling. That would be incorrect. If left to swing and dangle driving down our wonderful highways you would find it in the middle of the floor/counter after the first trip - just like many of those suspended lights over the islands.

John was correct in his analysis of where we are with RVs. It's the nature of the beast at this time and anyone that has bought these things for a while knows it, and those about to buy need to do their due diligence to become informed to prevent some of the "it should have been better" conversations - sort of like having to have a consumer protection agency protect us from breaking the glass cover on a stove top...??

As for us, we like our ceiling fan. DW commented on it right before we left the last time that it was a nice improvement over keeping a fan on the end of the island. I had just commented previously that I could barely feel the air from it....but it does move the air, which means a lot in a little box like an RV.

purebred · 09-14-2020, 08:30 AM

I am currently looking for replacement blade attachments to increase the pitch of the fan blades from approx 8 degrees to about 15 degrees. Then maybe it will suffice and i can retire the wally world fans.

ChuckS · 09-14-2020, 07:06 PM

The ceiling fan in our 2014 Alpine does a nice job of moving air. Sitting in recliner right now and it’s blowing cold air right down on wire and I

purebred · 09-15-2020, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckS

The ceiling fan in our 2014 Alpine does a nice job of moving air. Sitting in recliner right now and it’s blowing cold air right down on wire and I

I guess good old keystone just don't make em like they used too.

Gary R. · 09-15-2020, 09:38 PM

We have one in our Alpine, and we operate it at slow speed, because at high speed it does not move much air.

I think the close distance from the blades to the ceiling has something to do with that.

Everyone take care and stay safe!

Gary

rbrdriver · 09-15-2020, 11:26 PM

The one we have in our Alpine is okay. I can feel it anyways

boagey · 09-20-2020, 08:04 AM

I don’t have a problem with the one in my Alpine. My friend who has a Avalanche 5er readjusted the pitch on his, said made a big difference.

purebred · 09-20-2020, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boagey

I don’t have a problem with the one in my Alpine. My friend who has a Avalanche 5er readjusted the pitch on his, said made a big difference.

With re-adjusting the pitch how did he do it? Vibrations?

Farside · 09-20-2020, 08:51 AM

I too am displeased with the output of the fan installed by the manufacturer. We have an Alpine 2015. And, the fan has been a pain. I have to watch the blades carefully when pulling in the slides, they originally caught me off guard when we first got the RV. Now I have to make sure they are positioned correctly, otherwise I'll catch one. I have wondered what I can do to improve the air flow without removing the blades each time I want to pull in the sides. There just isn't enough angle on those blades to make a difference in the air flow. Been to Lowes and Home Depot looking for a replacement, and nothing I've seen seems to be a good fit. If anyone knows of another brand that will move air, let me know.

purebred · 09-20-2020, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farside

I too am displeased with the output of the fan installed by the manufacturer. We have an Alpine 2015. And, the fan has been a pain. I have to watch the blades carefully when pulling in the slides, they originally caught me off guard when we first got the RV. Now I have to make sure they are positioned correctly, otherwise I'll catch one. I have wondered what I can do to improve the air flow without removing the blades each time I want to pull in the sides. There just isn't enough angle on those blades to make a difference in the air flow. Been to Lowes and Home Depot looking for a replacement, and nothing I've seen seems to be a good fit. If anyone knows of another brand that will move air, let me know.

Farside it seems we must have the same fans installed. And I thought i was alone.

Larrystegall · 09-20-2020, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunker

2 previous RVs had the ceiling fans and I liked them. The 2011 Raptor 300MP had a 120v fan and while it wasn't a huge air mover, it did distribute the heat and cooling in the trailer. In the Itasca motorhome, there were 2, 12V models and they did the same thing. Don't expect residential performance, they just are not big enough. But they can stir up the air to keep the heat from being at the ceiling and mix it up. If you want a steady breeze on you, get a floor fan and sit beside it.

Current RV the Raptor 356 doesn't have any so I put an occulting fan on a night stand in the BR to move some air around. May have to add something to the LR for the same purpose. Be glad you have one.

Hey Chunker, did you mount the fans onto the RV, or do you use free standing? I presume 120v fans, as there are no 12v outlets? I have no ceiling fan. Thanks, Larry

azchoco · 09-20-2020, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purebred

Just wondering how many others out there feel about the factory ceiling fan in their coaches? Ours seems to close to the ceiling to get a good airflow. I ended up getting two small fans from wally world and using them instead.

Yes we have a 2016 3536RE. It too has a ceiling fan that has to hug the ceiling to clear the slides. Therefore it doesn't move much air. Actually had to be replaced because it was installed with a lose blade that eventually got hit by the slide. Poor design along with the ducted AC system.

McRod · 09-20-2020, 04:32 PM

I love my ceiling fan. It's on everyday. Works great and moves alot of air.

chunker · 09-20-2020, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larrystegall

Hey Chunker, did you mount the fans onto the RV, or do you use free standing? I presume 120v fans, as there are no 12v outlets? I have no ceiling fan. Thanks, Larry

All of them were factory installed. The Raptor was 120v and the Itasca 12v.

chunker · 09-20-2020, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boagey

I don’t have a problem with the one in my Alpine. My friend who has a Avalanche 5er readjusted the pitch on his, said made a big difference.

Be careful in adjusting the pitch in the blade holes as they can be brittle. The one problem I had with the fans in the Itasca motorhome was finding blades sitting on the floor after a trip. When I was at the factory for a windshield replacement I bout some spare blade holders. I planned to go to a big box and look for suitable replacements but never got around to it. FWIW the fan will still move some air with 2 blades. Not much though.

purebred · 09-21-2020, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunker

Be careful in adjusting the pitch in the blade holes as they can be brittle. FWIW the fan will still move some air with 2 blades. Not much though.

Question, How can you adjust blade pitch with the blade holes ? Also air movement with 2 blades probably equals my fan with 4 blades

chunker · 09-22-2020, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purebred

Question, How can you adjust blade pitch with the blade holes ? Also air movement with 2 blades probably equals my fan with 4 blades

To adjust, to attempt to do so would be bending the blade holder. I didn't need to but you probably would need to remove the the blade holder and put in a vice to gently put a little tweak to them. The trick would be get them the same so the blades properly track without breaking them. Sometimes blades themselves will droop and loose pitch. A house I had a few years ago the PO had put 2 indoor fans on the back porch. Blades drooped to what appeared 0 pitch and didn't move air. I flipped the blade over and the "pitched up". Eventually the cheap blades drooped back down though. Another thought would be put shim washer between the blade and blade holder to add pitch. Trial and error.

EDIT I went back and read my previous post and I meant blade holder not blade holes. Long day driving and poor editing

You may also like: