Caframo or Hella fans???

[rfrye1]

I'm installing cabin fans. I dont like the exposed blades on the Hella fans, but they seems to be on EVERY bareboat Ive ever rented, so they must be doing something right. Does anyone own Caframo?

Thanks. Bob

 

[Dick 119]

I've got Hella Turbo model fans and the blades are not exposed..Just FYI

''

 

[Deadhead]

Caframo

I installed 1 in the salon on the forward bulkhead. Another on the overhead in the aft cabin. They are the 3 speed models & they work like champs. We spent a week either moored or anchored back in early August & probably would have really died without them.

For the one in the salon one I put a fused dc plug on the fan wire and installed a 12v dc outlet on the bulkhead so that I can also use the outlet for a cell phone charger, laptop, etc. The fan in the aft cabin I hard wired with an inline fuse.

Make sure that you have the polarity right or the fan runs backwards. (Test it before you heat shrink the connections.)

Teddy

 

[Patrick S/V Shangra-La]

I've got Hella 2 speeds.

The blades are not fully exposed. Once you get used to adjusting them you won't po your fingers to much. I like that they draw low amps and are quiet, and they push a lot of air.

 

[Broke sailor SV Marcell]

I have had both

and wish I had installed the Hella's on my H-36. They do not blow air as well as the Hellas. Also there is a review on the subject on a recent Preactical Sailor Mag.

 

[Mike8245]

Caframo or Hella

I had Hella's and removed them and put in Caframo's. The Hella's just didn't move enough air for me, I love the Caframos. I guess to each his own, I read the replies on the Hellas. Ask some of your dock buddies and see how their fans feel to you.

Mike

 

[Steve Dion]

Check out the motor life too.

Bob: Here are a couple of links about these fans. You should also check out the PS article.

http://www.rallylights.com/hella/fans.asp

http://www.caframo.com/12volt.htm#817

I think you should also check out the motor life. I think the newer Hella's are rated at something like 50,000 hrs. We have Hella's and they had a very good rating for power consumption too.

 

[Jim]

Hella Turbo exposed blates

yes they are exposed, in the back. I like my Hella Turbo but every now and again my finger hits tha blade. It doesn't hurt but it scares you.

 

[Big Windy]

The Hellas...

...on my boat work fine, are two speed and not exposed.

 

[Dave Sharp]

I don't like my Caframo.

I have a few Hella fans and they are fine. I added a Caframo # 743 and it is disapointing. First, it is noisey and is deficient in moving air. Now the switch has failed. Most sailors are happy with the Hella.

 

[Al - s/v Persephone]

For < 0.5 amp Hella = 125CFM, Caframo = 270CFM.

Nothing moves air for modest electrical comsumption like the open-bladed (cageless) Caframo fans. At higi air velocities, evem a minimal cage does make a difference.

Each time I bought a Caframo, I moved it around so much that I quickly bought another. I have 3, now, the earliest of which has lasted through over 1,000nm on my last boat and almost 6,000nm on my present one.

I did drop one and break its soft blade. Cost me < 10 bucks to get a replacment blade and it's back to like-new.

Be aware, however, that they don't have inline fuses and depend on your boat's circuit breakers in case they ever found some way to short or overheat.

They are the best fan for the money I've found. (They also make a very efficient cabin heater, which I love.)

No connection with the company, but I like these two products.

Fair winds,
Al