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Old 09-27-2019, 10:29 PM   #61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FentonRees@ieee.org View Post
From the get go with a new 2018 21ft, the Maxxfan has tripped off when operated at the minimum speed;- typically at night to help control condensation. This is very occasional, and if run continuously can take days to occur.
This occurs when we are plugged into shore power or operating on battery.

I have changed the control PCB out twice (once from Maxxfan and once from Escape) with the problem still present. So this is not a control board problem;- it is either how they work or something else is causing the issue.

MaxxFan told me about the max/min voltage limits (as noted by others);- but the max (13.5-ish) would not occur when on battery power, and minimum was unlikely as battery had good charge.
And yes, having a max rating of 13.5 on something designed for a RV is totally NUTS.

So if it is not a control board issue, and not the battery voltage, the only other item in the circuit is the motor. Does anyone think the motor could be doing something that causes this ? Changing out the motor is more of a pain than the control board, but do-able.
Haven't seen someone with a IEEE.org address in a while. Had one while in college - used to hang out in the IEEE and study for exams.

If you had measured your trailer voltage on an interval basis, you would have found that the converter exceeds 13.5v on a regular basis. All it could take is one time of high voltage and the control board would not be the same.

"The WF-8955 model provides 55 Amps and a clean, constant 13.6 VDC nominal output.... Automatic three-stage charging extends the life of your battery with output voltage modes of 13.2 VDC range “float” mode, 13.6 VDC range “absorption” mode, and a 14.4 VDC range “bulk” charge mode. "
https://wfcoelectronics.com/product/wf-8955-55-amp/

And if you have a solar installation, all bets are off. Solar can put out higher voltages (absorption rate at 15.3 volts) than the WFCO.

Bulk charge or absorption mode will drive a Maxxfan control board crazy. After installing a voltage regulator, my Maxxfan has not had any hiccups since.
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Old 09-28-2019, 07:15 AM   #62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FentonRees@ieee.org View Post
From the get go with a new 2018 21ft, the Maxxfan has tripped off when operated at the minimum speed;- typically at night to help control condensation. This is very occasional, and if run continuously can take days to occur.
This occurs when we are plugged into shore power or operating on battery.

I have changed the control PCB out twice (once from Maxxfan and once from Escape) with the problem still present. So this is not a control board problem;- it is either how they work or something else is causing the issue.
Is there any chance that you have the fan on “AUTO”? This would have the fan running at minimum (only increasing if cabin warms) and allow it to shut off when the selected temperature on the thermostat is reached (default is 78F...adjustable in 1F increments). I’m not sure of your temperatures and if you are also using the furnace but this seems possible with warm days and then the temperature falling through the night which is when you are indicating the issue is most apparent.
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Old 11-25-2019, 07:50 PM   #63
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Control board is good after all

I had an interesting situation. After my solar controller did an absorption charge at 15+ volts, my Maxxfan 7500K stopped working, even though it was not running at the time. It would not start by the button or the remote. I tried pulling the fuse and re-plugging it in but the fan still didn't work.

I took the Maxxfan apart and installed a 12volt regulator that Jon V gave me at the Niagara Falls rally earlier this year. I was going to order a new control board, but decided to wire the broken one to the 12 volt regulator and try it out. Guess what, the broken board started working. I have no idea as why, but I won't tell my wife. She will be so proud of me for repairing the fan without paying $50 for a new control board. I might even get lucky.
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Old 11-25-2019, 08:14 PM   #64
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Jim Norman tells me that fresh, huge , Iowa garlic, is a sure fire way to get lucky. I’m not sure about this but I do know I’m not hauling any more into Canada or back into the States. Glad to know you got your fan working with significant monetary output. The free tarp has been very good. If you see rubber boots on the tarp make sure they are both the same size and a left and right foot. Some rookie tried to pass two left feet in sizes 10 and 11. Have a fine Thanksgiving.
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Old 04-20-2020, 11:21 AM   #65
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I was helping a friend with his failed Maxxfan control board and browsed a little while I was looking up the part #. It seems that we are not the only ones having control board failures.

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=77970

https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/...oo-high.69690/

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/f...g/29936028.cfm

https://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums....php?tid=31123
p.s. watch his video - He went overboard more than I did! My wife would kill me if I did that to my trailer.

etc. etc.
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Old 04-20-2020, 07:07 PM   #66
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I would like to place my voltage regular near the fuse panel. Do we know what else is on the fan circuit?
The regulator I am thinking of getting should cover most anything on a single circuit.

http://s.aliexpress.com/fMfmyaiU
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Old 04-20-2020, 07:46 PM   #67
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I would like to place my voltage regular near the fuse panel. Do we know what else is on the fan circuit?
The regulator I am thinking of getting should cover most anything on a single circuit.

http://s.aliexpress.com/fMfmyaiU
Escape seem to change the way they wire DC circuits a lot. The way I found out what was on my Maxxfan circuit was to pull the fuse and see what powered down.

On my trailer, it was all the overhead lights, the Maxxfan, and the bathroom lights and fan.
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Old 04-20-2020, 08:24 PM   #68
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That is a good price - here is the same buck regulator in Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0819Y8PJZ...kCode=osi&th=1

Here's something to keep in mind. The regulator you chose is a buck converter which means that the input voltage will always need be more than the outlet voltage and that difference is described as the dropout voltage. That's OK if the battery voltage is the dropout voltage higher than the output voltage you need - not so good if it is less.

Here's the interesting part - one of the reviewers stated that he could get 12v out with 13.5v in. That is a large dropout voltage but not uncommon for a regulator like this.

But it may make it totally unsuited for what you are wanting to do.
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Old 04-20-2020, 09:12 PM   #69
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You are right this will not do.
Have to get my head back into the game.
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Old 04-20-2020, 09:34 PM   #70
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Originally Posted by Eggscape View Post
You are right this will not do.
Have to get my head back into the game.
The 10a buck boost that I used is the lowest cost solution I could find.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-DC-Conve...53.m1438.l2649

Here is a 13a that would work but the cost goes up.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-DC-6V-32...0AAOSwsCdd5KCZ
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Old 04-20-2020, 09:57 PM   #71
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Thanks for link....I have also copied your installation instructions.

I was going over the previous pages and I am back on track.

Here in Canada eBay sellers want from $16.40 but most are over $20 with shipping so I will be ordering from AliExpress.

This one is shipped via ePacket which means when it hits Canada it will become priority post...so about 22 to 26 days.

http://s.aliexpress.com/eYbMJNjm
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Old 04-20-2020, 10:07 PM   #72
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For those that want to install a voltage regulator for their furnace or hot water heater, I found these boxes that fit the buck boost regulator I bought from ebay.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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