Noisy Ventline Range Hood fan/motor

[richardcoxid]

TDR RV’rs



Has anybody out there had any experience in replacing the “noisy” Ventline range vent 12v motor/fan assembly with a quieter one? My wife refuses to use to use the vent fan when cooking because it is to noisy for her sanity! Is there a “quiet” 12v unit available that anybody is aware of or has used to replace their “noisy” one with?



I contacted Ventline, they have an upgrade 2-speed “quiet” motor/fan assembly for about $20. 00 plus S&H. Upon questioning them it is the same noisy nylon fan/RPM on high speed. I. e. : same noise. They reduce the RPM 50% for low speed and viola! Less noise but also less suction and air flow.



I found a 110V squirrel cage blower from a wood burning stove that will fit with minor hood modifications.

But I am hesitant to use a 110v unit without installing a GFI. Then it would also require operating the generator or be hooked up to shore power just to run the range vent fan.



Thank you guys for your time and thoughts.

 

[GGates]

I placed a resistor in series with the fan. Slowed it down and was quieter. Still seems to move enough air to do the job. Don't remember the size of resistor. It was in trailer life mag. awhile ago. Was in the ten minute tech tips.

 

[dewdo]

I haven't done it yet, but I plan on installing what we use to call in the electronis industry a "muffin fan" They use them mostly in computers and other equipment that generate heat that has to be exhausted. They are relatively cheap and you can probably get one at Radio Shack. You can get them for 12 VDC or just about any voltage in between. They are available in several CFM models. The higher the CFM, the higher the noise level. They can be bought in either the squirel (sp) cage style or the muffin style. The DC models can be either exhaust or intake depending on the polarity.



The RV industry is noted for using the cheapest thing available and the fans they use in the vents are cheap.



Good luck



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[klenger]

I installed a 12v light dimmer from Camping World on fan in my 5er. It was an easy installation, and now I can change the speed as desired. Biggest problem is the price of the dimmer was over $30, but it does work. Here's a link to the dimmer on the Camping World web site.

 

[richardcoxid]

Fellow TDR members



Thanks for you’re input concerning the Ventline Range Hood fan noise post.

Over the weekend I looked at many computer “muffin” fan mfgs. web sites for 12v. low noise fans. I am sure that there are other mfg. but Comair, Panaflo, Sunon and NMB all have models that look promising. Look for something that is 120x120 mm square (about 5in) and in the 40-45dBA-noise area. Normal conversation is about 55-60dBA and obviously anything made for computer/electronic cooling will be “whisper” quiet. The Ventline fan is rated at 100CFM.



I went by an electronic store that specializes in salvaged computer/electronic items and found a NMB 12v. fan Mod# 4715KL-04W-b39 that is rated at 108CFM, 43dBA for $10. 00. This fan is ball bearing not sleeve bearing.



This is how I mounted the NMB fan.

After removing and disassembly of the hood, remove the existing fan motor and mounting bracket. Optional- The plastic flapper valve had about a 3/8 in gap on both sides so I removed that also. What good is it if it doesn’t seal back flow better than that? The outside flapper seals, so it will have to suffice.

Cut a 8 ¾ in x 9 ½ in piece of 16ga. Aluminum for a new fan base. Cut a hole in the center and mount the fan on top of it. Observe the direction of airflow.

Mount the Al fan base using 4 bolts with ½ in long spacers on top of the “Venturi” of the Ventline Hood. Be careful that these 4 bolt heads don’t interfere with the Aluminum Wool filter.

To reduce the air “short cycling” plug the many existing holes and caulk around the new fan base/venturi interface with RTV.

My wife was so excited that she almost cooked dinner in the Hitchhiker tonight just to see what it was like.

 

[richardcoxid]

A thousand pardons! Attention Dummy! My brain must not have been engaged last night.

I forgot to mention that you will have to make a 1/2 in wide x 3/8 in deep notch in one side of the fan mounting base to provide clearance for the Al Wool filter spring clip.



If you mount 2 fans in series the static pressure will nearly double, 2 fans in parallel will almost double the airflow. Then if you mount 4 fans, 2 in series and 2 in parallel you will nearly double the static pressure and airflow!

Wow! Is this turning into a “Tim the Tool Man Taylor” more power! more power! project? Argh!-Argh!-Argh!-Argh!-Argh!





Richard