Wiring for Fantastic Fan

shane49 · 04-16-2015, 12:11 PM

New to the forum here. Just purchased a 2015 Laredo 240MK and I have a
question about wiring in the vents. I know the bathroom vent has 12V wires
because of the small fan in it. Does anyone know if there are 12V wires
running to the other two vents. Dealer tech was not sure. I would like to
install a Fantastic Fan in the center vent. Thanks

Bob Landry · 04-16-2015, 01:20 PM

You probably have a vent close to the stove. When you remove the existing vent you will be able to run a fish tape over to the outside wall. If you pull the microwave, you will see a lot of wiring in there, all 12V. There may be a 115V wire there if you have an outlet under the cabinet but it will be easy to recognize. If not, the cabinets have false bottoms in them. Remove it and trace the wires back. It goes to the range hood and also to the lighting under the kitchen cabinet. At least my Outback is like that and I don't see the other models being much different. Use a voltmeter set on DC to find a 12V and a ground wire. Connect your wires for the fan to them and pull them through the ceiling with the fish tape and use those to connect to the fan. Easy job..

**chuckster57** · 04-16-2015, 01:24 PM

As a rule, unless the factory installed a powered fan in a vent, 12V will not be run there.

Easy way to tell 12V wire from 110V: 12V is two conductor stranded. 110 is three conductor solid conductor in Romex.

Bob Landry · 04-16-2015, 01:53 PM

12V is going to be 2 conductor stranded, but they may not be together in a jacket or covering. The 12V wiring behind the microwave in my Outback was done with individual wires and if i remember correctly, they were all the same color. Thank you, Keystone. This is where the $5 circuit tester pays for itself. Clamp it on to a ground and use the probe to pierce the insulation. When you hit 12V, it will light up. Stay away from the 115V wiring, those will be in a three conductor jacket.

shane49 · 04-16-2015, 02:04 PM

Thanks for the quick relies! I think I can handle that. Ron

flubyu · 04-26-2015, 01:02 PM

Please keep us Informed, I too would love to add a fan in my kitchen/living room vent.

shane49 · 04-27-2015, 07:10 AM

Will keep you posted. Going to check the wiring part this week. Also
considering a Max Fan. Ron

flubyu · 04-27-2015, 11:23 AM

Great, thanks. My Premier has MaxAir vents...but only one has a fan.

wahoonc · 04-28-2015, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane49

Will keep you posted. Going to check the wiring part this week. Also
considering a Max Fan. Ron

I prefer the MaxxFann Deluxe over the Fantastic Vents, they have a built in cover that can be left open even when it is raining. Also they can be run with the cover closed on lower settings to act as a ceiling fan. Nothing wrong with Fantastic Vents, just much prefer the design of the MaxxFan Deluxe.

Aaron

shane49 · 04-28-2015, 09:13 AM

Wahoonc, from what I have read, many seem to agree with you. Thanks Ron

shane49 · 04-29-2015, 02:28 PM

Went over to my storage facility today to try and find a 12v wire to splice
into. Took out the stereo which is right over the microwave. Found a dedicated
line running down to power the vent fan and light so I should be able to tap
in to that and have constant 12v power for the fan. Took out the vent trim
ring and one LED ceiling light and was able to get wires over where I need to
splice. On a not so lucky note I will not be able to use a Max Air vent because
I do not have the required 8 inch clearance from the back of the vent to my
A/C shroud. I will have to stick with a Fantastic Fan. Now to pick out the model
I want! Ron

RavensFan24 · 06-24-2015, 06:45 AM

I know this thread is old, but I feel like in every video I've seen on this topic of installing a fan, very little is mentioned of the wiring.

I installed a Fan-tastic fan in my trailer this weekend and it took a while to find the 12v constant. I took a tip from another forum member and utilized the 12v constant going to the AC control box. I was able to easily fish the wire from the vent opening over to the control box and connect with the 12v constant there. I didn't have to split any wires, just pulled off the old wire cap, added my new wire and put a new screw cap on and everything worked great.

Keystone actually suggested that the black and white wire in my celing was def a 12v constant and it wasn't at all. I think the wire I saw was for the running lights that only have power when plugged into the truck and with the truck on. The only other option within reach was a switch based wire. Thank goodness my vent opening was near the AC. It took a while to figure out, but once I did it was an easy job from there.

Tip: You may not want to install a fan in your RV when its 95 degrees outside. It gets a bit hot and frustrations can run high when you are sweating you a$% off in a trailer trying to pretend you're an electrician.

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