Vortex fan DOA

Hey guys, 14 hours into an 18 hour test cycle of my new setup and my 6" Vortex fan just died. Really hot to the touch, and not moving.

I will push for a replacement, but want to just order another fan anyway so I can get moving again, and keep the replacement as backup if they truly honor their 10 year warranty and take care of me.

What is your experience with Vortex fans, warranty replacements and longevity ? Should I buy another Vortex ? I hear bad noise issues from Hydrofarm and Active Air. obviously don't wanna another 150.00 paper weight.

Whats a good fan to purchase. ?

i use the 6 inch ruck fan its quite quiet and moves alot of air.

i run 5 active air fans... they are a bit noisy, but a silencer really helps. as for your vortex, read your warranty to find out if you are covered.

here is a link to their Customer Service page
http://vortexpowerfans.com/
top right, "Contact Us" button.
i have faith in their Warrantee, especially if it was only 14 hours in.
i remember reading the warrantee and if you run your fan 24/0 it will halve your warrantee time (still a whopping 5 years)
i have run my Vortex 6" for almost 6 months now 24/7 and its still kicking. (not a single "off" time in 6 months!)

Thanks guys, I have contacted Vortex customer support and will let you know what the verdict is in case someone else has an issue.

I had it running on a speed controller , I tested the speed controller on my 4" fan and still works just fine.

Could the speed controller have caused the fan to fail?

I have heard about cheap fans and controllers not playing well with each other causing the fan to burn out, but the Vortex fan says it was built for the speed controller. I just dont want to duplicate the issue again

Hey SM....i use an 8in Vortex myself and have had it plugged in for over 18months straight, full speed and 24 hours a day...actually i turned it off 1 time just to put in new reflectors and hook up the new ducting...imo, even my 8" is very quiet without any muffler...it is always warm(thats being generous)to the touch and has never got hot imo...You bought a very good fan, but just happened to get a factory defect.... and even though ive never used my warranty, im almost 100% positive Vortex, will take care of you...let us know how you make out.

silentmercy said:

Hey guys, 14 hours into an 18 hour test cycle of my new setup and my 6" Vortex fan just died. Really hot to the touch, and not moving.

I will push for a replacement, but want to just order another fan anyway so I can get moving again, and keep the replacement as backup if they truly honor their 10 year warranty and take care of me.

What is your experience with Vortex fans, warranty replacements and longevity ? Should I buy another Vortex ? I hear bad noise issues from Hydrofarm and Active Air. obviously don't wanna another 150.00 paper weight.

Whats a good fan to purchase. ?

Click to expand...

Vortex is the best. I've never had one go... I wonder if their quality control is slipping as they upped their production? I've had both 6 and 8 inch Vortex fans on speed controllers for YEARS without incidence. I do keep them clean - but I have never lubed them or performed any maintenance on them other than using filters and wiping off the outside. I'm interested to hear how the warranty process goes. I talked to my buddy at a hydro store, and he said he is able to replace Vortex fans directly from his inventory - the warranty is that good. I am guessing you will be fine. You got a good price on it too - $150. I have been using the Valuline fans from CAP for a couple years now too - employing 6's and 8's in many zones. As of yet, none of them has given me issue either... I am able to get the 6" for less than 100 and the 8" for about $120. They actually move more air than the Vortex fans (check out YouTube for a head to head comparison - they hooked a vortex to one end of section of ducting, and valuline to the other end and had a fan-off! The Vortex gets up to speed more quickly, but in seconds the valuline cataches up and beets the Vortex!).

Given the choice, I would run Vortex - I think that bad one you got was a rare case. If dollars make sense, then the Valuline fans can not be beat... (cool black color too! )

Ive ran vortex fans for years. Zero problems, you just got a random bad fan. They will replace it no problem imo.

What kind of speed controller were you using? I hope not a cheapo from China.

Check out my thread on speed controllers: https://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/434830-speed-controller-hum.html

I have four Vortex fans and had to send an 8" back once. Tree fell on our powerline and shorted everything in the house that was on at the time. That was my favorite toaster, too.
Vortex sent a replacement with no questions asked. They even paid for shipping both ways. Had a new fan in five days. I'll never buy any other brand.
Try plantlightinghydroponics.com. Best prices on the net, by far. 8in. fans for $189, $205 delivered.
Fred

fred flintstoned said:

I have four Vortex fans and had to send an 8" back once. Tree fell on our powerline and shorted everything in the house that was on at the time. That was my favorite toaster, too.
Vortex sent a replacement with no questions asked. They even paid for shipping both ways. Had a new fan in five days. I'll never buy any other brand.
Try plantlightinghydroponics.com. Best prices on the net, by far. 8in. fans for $189, $205 delivered.
Fred

Click to expand...

I wish I was getting that type of service. Here is the first response from Vortex:

From: Guillaume Des Rosiers <[email protected]>
Date: September 6, 2011 9:43:54 AM EDT
To: Mr X <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: vtx 600 fan

Dear M. X

In what type of application did you use the product. What was the ambient temperature? Does the fan stop working ?

What was the input voltage?

Concerning the warranty you have to deal with the retailer to have the fan inspected for warranty.

Best Regards


Guillaume Desrosiers, B.D.I., B.I.D
2480 Boul. des Entreprises
Terrebonne, QC, J6X 4J8
t: 450 477-1100 & 1-800-489-1301 / f: 514 313-5700
web: www.atmosphere.com / email: [email protected]

P Veuillez penser à l'environnement avant d'imprimer ce courriel.
Please consider the environment before printing this email.

Click to expand...

Nothing yet from the store I purchased from here... http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&me=A33AZ08IM218J6

I will post back their next response. I told Atmosphere(vortex) I would pay shipping to them for inspection and replacement. Lets see their response.

I will only buy Vortex fans from here on out! Here is their wonderful response:

Dear M. X

I am sorry to ear that the store does not respect RMA procedure.

We will take care of you directly, please send the fan to our factory and we will inspect the fan and replace it or repair it.

Would you be so kind to send me the complete information on the store that refuse to take care of you

Adress, phone number and contact person at the store, i will contact them !!!

Sorry for this inconvenience

Best Regards

Guillaume Desrosiers

Click to expand...

I love it, great customer service! I will give the store one more chance to honor the warranty as they should because proper procedure is for the store to receive back the defective fan, inspect/replace for customer, and then ship back the bad fan to Vortex for credit/replacement. Atmosphere(Vortex) is willing to make up for their shortcomings. Now I will have an extra 6" fan in case of failure, but we all know what happens from here.. the replacement Vortex lasts forever and i have a new 6" fan collecting dust

The store contacted me and they are sending a call tag to replace the fan! Wonderful news. That saves me the hassle of shipping to Canada and waiting for the replacement. Both Vortex and the e-store have earned my repeat business with their excellent customer service. I just hope my replacement lasts longer than a test cycle Pretty sure it will though.

haha. Getting past the canned response form a company is the first step to getting satisfactory results! Good job!

That's good news they're replacing it. Good to hear they have real customer service. Had a few 8" going 24/7 for 6 months without a problem. Very quiet too, for how much air they're pushing.

i run the eco air fans. they ruck really hard and i like how they come allready attached to a stand