Vortex Vent Fan Upgrade: Install and Review

[Radio]

BACKGROUND:

Vortex Replacement Vent Fan Upgrade - Heng's Industries 90043-CR - Vents - Camping World

This is designed to replace/upgrade those horrible little fans that sometimes come in RV ceiling vents. Removal of the exterior dome/lid is not required to install the Vortex fan upgrade. You just remove the interior garnish and the old fan and replace with this one. If there is no fan in your vent, the 12 vdc wiring is seldom provided by the RV factory. You just need to figure out how to attach the wiring to the fan.

I went with this option to improve circulation and heat control, choosing this product over the more expensive Fan-tastic style fan options for two main reasons:

1. I don't have to get on the roof and rip out the old vent. Or my paid for Maxx-Air covers.
2. The Vortex fan only cost $51 on sale at Camping World.

THE INSTALL

I can echo what all the others have said about ease of install, noise and all that. If you are replacing one of those dinky powered vent deals then it's really easy but if there is no pre-existing power there, then it can be a pain.

I had more trouble with the trailer than the fan. There was no power at the vent and I had to go find some. This involved tunneling through Styrofoam to the nearest light fixture. The vent crank handle has to be removed and the screw head in there stripped out and did not want to cooperate. And then to top it off, the UV light/heat/age has broken a hole in the vent lid in spite of the Maxx-Aire cover. So that gets replaced next week.

But the fan is great!

Once the power was run to the vent, the fan went right in and installed in about 25 minutes. Need screwdrivers (including weird RV-only bits) wire strippers/cutters, wire nuts, tie wraps and electrical tape.

You must retain the original trim around the vent for re-use.

As others have said, the instructions are clear but poorly printed.

All most everyone says you need a helper to hold the fan while you attach wires and then install it. Nope. You don't. What you do is remove the fan blade assembly from the motor. An Allen wrench is supplied for the purpose. Install the Vortex in the vent with all the wiring hanging through the fan opening. Then, working thought the opening, connect the wires and tidy up things with tie wraps. See picture. Reinstall the fan. The instructions even give a slight hint this is the best way to do it.

Pros: Cheap, easy, moves a lot of air.

Cons: A bit noisy, no frills. I don't mind the noise too much as the fan is in the living room and we'll likely use it most when away from the trailer or cooking. That should help with the smoke detectors while frying bacon. Also you can't get the screen assembly off the unit (for cleaning) without removing the vent opening knob. And lastly, I can't plug the vent with my vent cushion anymore.

Very much worth the $50 and the short time required for install.

[Radio]

And the afterthought occurred to me you might like to know what the finished product looks like. In the catalog they appear grey. They are (or mine is) actually white.

[Stormrider151]

My trailer came with two vortex fans one in the bath and one in the bedroom. They don't seem to pull hardly any air. Even with both running and one widow open. When I bought the trailer I added two vent covers for the fans. I should have specified maxx air 2's. What I got was Camco covers. That one's on me. I'm thinking the problem is the covers. With two fans running there should be a strong breeze coming through the camper. You said you were getting a good air flow. I'm going to change the covers and see if that helps.

[AbdRahim]

I installed one of these on my trailer, when I had it. Good fan -easy enough to install.

[Radio]

Originally Posted by Stormrider151

My trailer came with two vortex fans one in the bath and one in the bedroom. They don't seem to pull hardly any air. Even with both running and one widow open. When I bought the trailer I added two vent covers for the fans. I should have specified maxx air 2's. What I got was Camco covers. That one's on me. I'm thinking the problem is the covers. With two fans running there should be a strong breeze coming through the camper. You said you were getting a good air flow. I'm going to change the covers and see if that helps.

Hopefully the wires are of sufficient size to allow the motors to draw the current they need. The way mine is wired, the motor slows considerably when the light on the same circuit is turned on.

The factory installed Create-a-breeze in the bathroom slows a little when the light is also on, but not as bad as the new Vortex. I blame wire gauge. And turn off the light.

[Radio]

Remember I was whining about there's not going to be any wiring available at your vent if you have a Styrofoam filled roof?

Well, maybe, or maybe not.

In this case, over the bed, there are so many wires to choose from all of them are rendered pointless. Each "wire" is actually a pair of wires, like heavy speaker wire or lamp cords. Fortunately the job here was to change the vent cover lid, not to install a fan.