Max air fan beeps

[AnnieG]

Hi all!
My new max air fan stops running after several seconds, it beeps, and the green temperature light flashes. I called escape, and they sent me a new motherboard. I installed it, and the same thing happened. I believe my next move is to install a voltage regulator to keep, the voltage steady at 12 V. Will this solve the problem? I believe the voltage from my onboard lithium ion battery system is probably unsteady. I’m hoping someone has some insider input into this? PS I have a 21C.
Thank you very much,
Annie G.

 

[Perry Butler]

Our MaxxFan did the same thing after two years with SiO2 batteries (charge identical to lithiums). The company said the voltage (14.6) was too high and suggested I install a voltage regulator. After installing a new board/voltage regulator it ran for the last 6 months we owned the 5.0 and haven’t heard any issues with the new owner.

We have two Fantastic Fans in our 2016 Bigfoot and they are going strong. I called Fantastic Fan’s help number and they said they have no problems up to around 15.5 volts. I do miss the 10 speeds of our MaxxFan though.

Enjoy,

Perry

 

[AnnieG]

Thanks Perry! I will go ahead and order the voltage regulator then!

 

[Rossue]

Your second board is likely fried now too as a result of over voltage. Good news is you are still under warranty with Airxcell, the current owner of Maxxfan.

I had the identical experience as the OP and fortunately a very knowledgeable and helpful rep at Airxcell really did help me with the fan in my 21. Then I had it happen with my Transit Van and again Perry @ Airxcell helped me again. To save time follow the instructions he gave me to aid him in identifying the root cause. It could be a board, however it could be a motor- which is was for both of my fans as it turned out. Neither of mine was using lithium batteries fwiw.

Perry's email: pfk@airxcell.com. To diagnose- from Perry:

"I will need to know what the serial number is, the date of purchase, contact information and have the following diagnostic information.



You will need to remove the bug screen, you will find the MN/SN sticker. Take the screws out of the manual knob and the four screws out of the control panel.



Check incoming vdc at the black(+) and white (-) wires coming from the ceiling. If it is outside a range of 10.3 to 15vdc the problem is in the vehicle, over voltage is common with lithium batteries and solar chargers. A voltage regulator is recommended.



Check the outgoing vdc from the PCB to the motor, when calling for fan. If the voltage is out of 10.3 to 15 the problem is either the PCB or the motor, if you disconnect the 2 pin plug and it is still out of range it is the PCB."

 

[Centex]

Thanks for sharing ^that^ , worthy of saving for future reference if needed, IMO.

 

[Perry Butler]

According to our Victron BMV 712 shunt’s history our max voltage spikes at 15.1 to 15.3. How long it spikes is probably less than a second. I saw this with the Victron 100/30 in our 5.5 and the 100/50 in our Bigfoot.

Food for thought,

Perry

 

[AnnieG]

Thanks so much. I will contact him!

 

[MrLynn]

Avoid Auto

Not long after we took possession of our NTU 2019 E21C, one night with the Maxx Fan on Auto, it woke us up beeping. Finally got it shut off, and since then we have never run it on Auto. Just On or Off, and adjust the speed and direction (In or Out). No more beeping.

 

[AnnieG]

Wow! That’s amazing. How did you turn off auto mode? Thanks in advance.

 

[MrLynn]

Wow! That’s amazing. How did you turn off auto mode? Thanks in advance.

Don't know how we turned it off, but we never pushed the button to turn it back on.

 

[Rossue]

Don't know how we turned it off, but we never pushed the button to turn it back on.

Easy way is to shut off main 12V switch.

 

[AnnieG]

Ok thanks.

 

[Rossue]

.....and then you can flip the 12V cutoff switch back on immediately I forgot to say. That resets it, however it may just do the same thing again if the fan is turned on until the root cause is fixed.

 

[AnnieG]

Been there done that, but thank you! I am going to wire in a voltage regulator to keep the DC voltage at a steady 12 V. Hopefully that will solve the problem!

 

[kinser913]

I had to replace the motor to stop it from beeping. Went through two motherboards to figure it out.

 

[MrLynn]

I had to replace the motor to stop it from beeping. Went through two motherboards to figure it out.

Folks with Fan-tastic fans (like in our Casita) don't seem to be having the kind of problems that we all do with the Maxxes. Maybe Escape should change.

 

[AnnieG]

I will keep that in mind. Thanks. I will first install that voltage regulator! Hopefully that will fix the problem!

 

[Whi10y]

MaxxFan here beeped (and did other possessed-seeming things) due to the circuit board getting wet on higher condensate nights (I.e., board got wet). I disconnected it and let it dry out. All good now. This video is very helpful -https://youtu.be/2xyNJJSwwoA?si=OUXKz2bie7nfERpz

 

[Odie]

I have been having the same issue in my Bigfoot with a Max Air fan, and the voltage momentarily spikes to 15.5V when the battery is topping off. One of the batteries momentarily disconnects when fully charged which causes a voltage spike. This is normal Lithium ion “top balancing” behavior.

Has anyone actually installed the voltage regulator to address the issue with the fan? Did you install one just for the fan, or for the whole 12V bus?

 

[Ron in BC]

I though this post was going to be from my friend who's on the road with his new 17B He has two Maxxfans. One started beeping and shutting down yesterday. The other one lasted an hour longer. :nonono:

We'll see what kind of customer service he gets.

I did have a problem once. I used a hair dryer and dried the circuit board and things have been fine since.

Ron