RVs bathroom contain exhaust fans to remove moisture and keep them cool and dry. These are also helpful in reducing the chances of molds and bacterial growth on walls and floors, which commonly occur due to high moisture content.
Why is My RV Bathroom Fan Not Working? RV bathroom fan not working can be due to low voltage of batteries, tripped circuit breakers, faulty switch buttons, dust accumulation, and damaged wirings, faulty thermostats and timers, burnt-out motors, blocked vents, and poor lubrication.
You can add the fans according to the size of your RV bathroom for their correct functioning. They are also helpful in the removal of stinky odors and keep the interior fresh.
| Problems | Solutions |
| Low voltage of batteries | Recharge batteries with generators |
| Tripped circuit breaker | Reset the circuit breakers |
| Faulty switch buttons | Turn on the buttons of fans |
| Dust accumulation | Use a vacuum cleaner and lubrication |
| Damaged wirings | Replace the frayed wires with new ones |
| Thermostat and timer issues | Set the thermostat and timer correctly |
| Faulty motor | Replace the motor or lubricate their parts |
| Blocked vents | Use vent covers |
Low voltage of batteries
Motorhomes, campers, and trailers use batteries to supply power to different electrical appliances. These are rechargeable batteries, and most of them are 12 volts.
The longevity of batteries depends on the number of electrical appliances in your RV and their usage. The bathroom fan stops working when there is insufficient or no power supply from the batteries.
These do not supply sufficient electric current when they become weak and are about to die. The charging of batteries decreases when you use heavy electrical appliances like air conditioners, ovens, and refrigerators.
You can use the control panel to monitor the battery status, which is present in a few RV models. Recharge the batteries with generators or connecting them to shore power outlets. You can also check the status of the battery voltage by connecting them to a voltmeter.
Tripped circuit breaker
Circuit breakers and ground fault circuit indicators are the safety devices that are present in RVs to protect electric appliances from power surges and people from electric shocks, respectively.
Circuit breakers trip suddenly when they detect the high voltage current in the circuit breakers. The tripped circuit breakers shut off the power supply and flow of current to the respective devices.
Breakers also shut off because of overloaded circuits and when you turn on the other heavy appliances. The overloaded circuit issue mostly occurs when using shared circuit breakers for different devices.
Locate the circuit breaker panel, and these are primarily present in the cabinets and other storage areas. The location of these circuit breakers also differs depending on the type and model of the RV.
These are labeled with different numbers and letters to depict the corresponding electrical circuits. Access the RV bathroom fan circuit and check the position of the switch button.
Move it to the on position if it is off, and then check the functioning of the fans. I prefer to reset the circuit breakers by turning them off and then turning them on again to fix the problem.
It is also necessary to check the fuse box because these components also stop functioning because of the blown-out fuse.
Faulty switch buttons
The bathroom fan stops working when the switch buttons are not ON. Many people forget to turn them on and then become worried.
In addition, the issue also comes because of faulty switch buttons in RVs that do not activate the motor and allow the spinning of their blades.
The buttons can also get stuck in the off position, and you cannot turn on the exhaust fans to remove the smell and interior moisture. Broken switch buttons and their internal components also cause this problem. Sometimes water also enters inside these buttons and makes them faulty.
It is better to use the covered outlets when switch buttons are inside the bathroom to protect them from moisture. Replace the broken buttons with new ones, and do not forget to turn them on while entering inside.
Dust accumulation
Dust and dirt particles accumulate on the blades of your RV bathroom fan, which can hinder their functioning. Dust accumulation on its different components restricts the airflow, and these cannot function properly.
Dust can also come on their blades and cause their bending, affecting their spinning speed. Dust enters your RV bathroom through windows and opened doors.
The issue mostly comes when moving on unpaved, dirty roads with opened windows. It is better to keep the windows closed while driving on rough terrains so dust cannot come inside.
You can also clean the blades and remove the dust buildup from them. Dirt accumulation on the blades increases the friction between their parts, and you can hear the grinding and knocking noise.
The issue comes because of decreased lubrication and misalignment of their parts. Remove the fan covers by squeezing the mounting clips on both sides.
Use the vacuum cleaner or blow dryer to remove the dust particles from the internal components.
You can also use soft-bristled brushes to clean their blades. Avoid cleaning them with cloth because it can cause the bending of blades. Spray the lubricant on their parts for smooth functioning and to get rid of uneven noise.
Damaged wirings
Bathroom exhaust fans in RVs stop functioning because of damaged and frayed wirings. Wirings that supply power to the motors can also get damaged. The frayed wirings do not provide sufficient power for blade spinning.
The issue comes when wires that connect the switch buttons to the fans are broken. The wiring issues can also come because of driving on uneven surfaces.
Vibrations from the road increase the risk of breaking wires and their poor connections. Ensure tight wiring connections in power outlets and fan motors.
You can also replace the broken and short-circuited wires with new ones for better current flow.
Thermostat and timer issues
People mostly install fans with thermostats and timers in their bathrooms. These are beneficial in RVs because they save the batteries and do not burden them extra.
These devices automatically shut off after attaining the maximum and set temperature in the interior. In addition, you can also set the timer according to their usage.
The fan blades stop spinning according to your set time on the timer. Sometimes they stop functioning entirely because of the faulty thermostat and timer components.
Turn off the bathroom fan and set the thermostat and timer correctly for their correct functioning.
Faulty motor
Motors are the integral components of the RV exhaust fans that allow the spinning of their blade. These stop functioning because of burnt-out motors and the malfunctioning of their internal parts.
Motors burnt out because of their excessive use and overheating of components. In addition, power surges from the electric circuits also cause the motor to burnt out.
The motor issue also comes because of poor lubrication and dust accumulation in their parts. The parts can get stuck and do not provide sufficient power for blade spinning.
Locate the motor and check the voltage supply by using the voltage tester. Replace the burnt-out motor with new ones, which is easy.
Lubricate the motor parts with motor oil to reduce the friction between their parts.
Blocked vents
Exhaust fans in the RV bathroom contain vents to remove the moist air and smell from your interior compartment. These vents open outside your RVs and are mostly present on the roofs.
Sometimes dust accumulation blocks these vents and interrupts the regular airflow. These do not ventilate the interior properly when vents are covered with blocking material.
Snow can also accumulate on the opening of these vents and cause the issue. In addition, leaf clutters can also block them, and birds can also make their nest on the roof when you park them.
Avoid parking your RVs in open places during rain and snowy weather. Moreover, I prefer to use vent covers to prevent their blockage.
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