Fixing manual Maxxfan gearbox

[troutslayer]

My Maxxfan manual "crank" suddenly decided not to operate. Called factory and they said it was, more than likely, "stripped gears" so they sent me a new part (no charge) called the "operator mechanism". If you have this same problem, read the directions enclosed with the replacement part, it will save you lots of time...believe me. Anyhow, the gears are metal, not plastic and I believe they got "stripped" because there is a helper spring that wants to constantly push up on the lid and the lid always opens on its own when I travel down the road. So my remedy, right or wrong, is to leave the lid open when traveling down the road in order not to put stress on the "operator mechanism". Hope this makes sense...