What's wrong with this idea?

[Ross]

Ross - computer fan draws 0.18 AMP not 0.018AMP. It is a good solution when placed on the companionway doors. Why did I not think of that!

I will check again tomorrow.

 

[Steve Dion]

Cheap solution and you can run them from your DC power supply!

http://www.action-electronics.com/fans.htm

 

[Hermit Scott]

Ross - computer fan draws 0.18 AMP not 0.018AMP. It is a good solution when placed on the companionway doors. Why did I not think of that!

That gave me an idea. How about fans mounted in one of the hatch boards, with contacts mounted and wired to the boat, so when the hatch board is in they make contact and start running off of a converter so it doesn't drain the batteries and only runs when shore power is hooked up?

 

[DannyS]

Interesting idea Hermit, let me know how you keep the contacts from getting wet since keeping water out of the cabin is the job of the hatch boards.

 

[Ross]

I will check again tomorrow.

I checked this morning and got .033 amps higth speed and .009 amps on low speed.

 

[kenn]

This [idea] is prompted by mildew and moisture; not comfort. All those problems are low down in the boat so wouldn't it make sense to pull air out of that area?

A fan will move more air if it supports the normally-occuring air convection, so I would guess that removing heated air from the top of the cabin is most efficient. Also, I believe warm air is capable of carrying more water vapour than cooled air. Finally, an exhaust fan on top of the cabin is probably assisted by any passing breezes, while a fan exhausting lower down would not be. (how's that for over-thinking something...)

I checked this morning and got .033 amps high speed and .009 amps on low speed.

... and the current draw and noise from computer-type fans drops even more if you run them at less than their rated voltage... eg connecting two 12 fans in series, on 12 v.

Last year I found a car solar vent similar to this, for less than $10 at a clearance sale. I'm thinking of putting a small notch in the upper hatchboard to allow mounting this thing. It might be enough ventilation to keep some air moving, without seriously compromising the function of the hatchboards. Probably only suitable for a small boat.

 

[rpwillia]

What about this vent?

Did see some comments from the RV crowd that this works great. But we don't typically do 60 mph. Could Roger use this with a PVC adapter to put on the top of his chimney?

I have actually been thinking of getting one of these and replacing the teeny tiny vent on my holding tank with this (under my port stern perch seat) and putting a larger vent hose on it.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/cyclone-sewer-vent/31992

 

[NotCook]

Which Computer fans, from what source?

My three inch computer fans draw .018 amps at 12 volts and move 24 cfm.

I want to install a computer fan to ventilate my bilge. Where to I get them, and what specifically do I want to buy (specs, models, etc.)? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[wonkodsane]

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102826&clickid=prod_cs

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0321891

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dynex&#...+Fan/8498565.p?id=1186004520483&skuId=8498565

Any of those will work, just drop by an electronics store that carries computers and pick a fan that is sized to fit your needs. Make sure you get 12VDC and not 120VAC (-:

 

[jibes138]

Had a boat with no ventilation and one with dorade boxes. The Dorades are highly recommended. The holes in the Dorade boxes are a perfect fit for a solar fan so while a bit ugly I put a solar fan in one as an exhaust and the other is the vent. That way on a hot day with no wind the ventilation keeps moving air. So far has worked quite well.

 

[Ross]

I want to install a computer fan to ventilate my bilge. Where to I get them, and what specifically do I want to buy (specs, models, etc.)? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I scavange them from old junked computers

 

[JeanV]

I'd point out that the Nicro vents do actually work quite well if installed properly. The temperature in the cabin on my boat dropped about 15˚ after I installed it. When I installed the second one, it dropped another 10˚ or so.

I agree with sailingdog. Nicro makes good vents, but steer way away from Sunsei. You will just end up with a hole in your boat that is a different size hole than a Nicro model. They are horrible.