Improved air circulation

[Jared1048]

Hello all!

I'm looking at getting a 3 or 4 inch solar vent to mount on either the forward hatch above vberth or hatch in middle of boat. I'm not sure which one though. The forward hatch is brand new and i'm a little worried about punching a hole into it. The middle hatch has seen better days so I wouldnt mind putting it into that one. The down side being that its under the boom which might prevent it from getting enough sun and its location in the middle of the boat might not circulate as much air?

The other alternative would be to put some type of fan into the cowling. It wouldnt be solar powered but I dont mind replacing some batteries every so often. Seems like a pretty easy solution without any cutting.

Thoughts on this?

Thanks!
-Jared

 

[Les]

Two parts to my input on air circulation. First, I did just what you are contemplating, put a solar vent on a forward hatch. I had troubles cutting the hole--the plastic was difficult
to cut--had to go very slow as it melted back together again. Finally got the hole cut and accidentally stepped on the edge and the whole hatch cracked. Had to buy a new hatch. It wasn't an easy job from beginning to the end.

But the second part of my input is why are you contemplating needing to move air? If it is to not allow mildew to appear (you do live in the Seattle area and know what mildew is--it is between your toes and teeth), I would seriously recommend getting one or two Davis air blowers from West Marine. I have two that are years old and I have one in the aft cabin and one in the main cabin. I've never had mildew...on the boat. I actually think it helps keep the boat smelling sweet.

In the spring I just put them in a storage area on the boat way in the back and bring them out next fall.

Just a suggestion.

 

[Jared1048]

I broke my forward hatch over the summer at it was an expensive fix. I do not want to do that again.

I bought a huge humidifier (30 liters) which has been amazing but it can only re-circulate air. I'm trying to get ride of the "boat" smell that saturates your cloths and sticks to you. I am in the process of replacing my sanitation hoses which has had a noticeable improvement but there is still some work to be done.

Upping the fresh air circulation seems like the next logical step in the fight.

I'm planning on moving onto the boat in a couple months so I cant be the smelly-boat-guy at work

Cheers,
-Jared

 

[Steve Dion]

I would suggest that you cut the for the solar vent with a hole saw. This is the best way to prevent damage and scratches to the acrylic.

Are you using the container on your dehumidifer to capture the moisture or are you using the continous flow. We converted ours to continous flow and it has dried out the interior quite well. We drain it into the galley sink.

 

[Jared1048]

Its running continuous flow into the bilge which is probably isn't the best place due to the water being stagnate there. I think I'll move it to the stove top to drain into the sink.

 

[seadaddler]

easy

I have added 2 solar vents on 2 front boat hatches and just be careful by using hole saw slowly and use masking tape to cover the hatch while doing the install and love how well it works and also have 2 fans in boat to move air all over boat and always smells fresh.
Nick

 

[Jared1048]

I'm assuming that the preferred spot is the forward hatch to "suck" the air from the rest of the boat forward for a better air flow pattern? Or does it not really make that big of a difference?

Also, what size. 3 or 4 inch vent?


[update] This looks like the best of both worlds (put solar vents where the cowels are). Not sure if I like the look though. No cutting and solar powered. I would like to be able to turn them off though. Lately its been super cold outside and with the diesel heater running don't want to be bleeding off precious heat. At 150 each its probably the most expensive route though. As they say. cheap fast or easy. pick 2.

Thanks,
-Jared

 

[Steve Dion]

I would have my doubt on how effective this would be. These dorade boxes are not directly connected to the interior vent.

https://www.google.com/search?q=dor...OFMeqOiAKomuDbDQ&ved=0CEYQsAQ&biw=832&bih=709

 

[Ray T]

I have installed several solar vents an different boats over the years and they really help keep the boat smelling fresh. They also do a good job controlling mildew. On my Cal 227 I installed a Nicro 4" solar ventalator under the boom and in front of the hatch. My crew thought it would be in the way but it never was. The new Nicro can be turned off and the vent closed from inside and they really stand behind thier product.

 

[med2463]

I replaced our dorades with minivents from SBO. Made covers for when we run the a/c and don't want the cold air leaving the cabin. Attached pic shows vents. The snaps are where I attach the covers made out of same vinyl fabric as fwd hatch in pic.
http://shop.hunterowners.com/prod.php?17329

 

[srhummer]

I installed two solar/battery powered vents right after I purchased my boat, in the deck not the hatch. Holes were there originally for two natural flow vents just aft of the hatch and one on each side but still over the Vberth. Made a BIG difference in the odor on the boat and have not seen any thing like mildew. Two years in and going strong although one is making more noise than when new. They have a slide that closes off the opening for when I have AC on or when the seas are rough and I don't want to get water coming in. They recommended one forward (air out) and one aft (air in) but since I had the two holes already both push air out. Point is if your that concerned about cracking the hatches think about installing them through the deck. Same cut but less chance of cracking. Even afterwords when you step on it.

 

[syoun10]

ventilation with blower

I leave the bilge blower running 24/7 (when connected to shore power) and it is always pumping lots of fresh air through. I like that it pulls air from the bilge where it is dampest & grungiest and that air is replaced from outside air.

I had to replace the blower motor once and replaced it with one rated for "continuous use".

It's too early to say that this is or is not working to freshen the boat, but would welcome other's comments.

I have a 2007 Hunter 33.

steve

 

[Ken13559]

I've two cowling on my coach roof. The dorade box isn't directly couple to inside cabin so instead, I install 2 computer fans inside cabin roof lining vent and wire it to a solar panel outside on deck. Thus I've 2 powerful fan blowing or sucking air (can be turned around) to cabin working with the Nicro Day/Night Solar vent at forward hatch to freshen the air inside.Picture show the dual vent and another show that behind it is a computer fan driven by solar panel (not shown) mounted outside at coachroof. Cabin air blown out through the cowling. The SS gaze is to prevent rats from entering cabin.
To change between exhaust & air inlet, just turn the fan around as the computer fan won't reverse by changing polarity.

 

[jtm]

I istalled 2 solar vents on my H28.5.

A 3 inch dia Nicro 48 hr Day/Night solar vent inserted just forward of the mast on the centerline- cause years ago the yard in stepping the mast put it down hard w/o a life jacket seat under it and put a hairline crack in the fiberglass there- so I used the solar panel to solve 2 problems.

I installed a 2nd on the smaller mid cabin hatch- this is non battery solar Nicro 1000 and its also same diam as I only had to buy 1 Milwaukee hole bit. Note: They are NOT 3 inch "holes" - slight larger to accept the housing/shaft.

The Nicro 100 works great 365 days per hear - only in the daytime. The forward Day/Night battery driven one works with an on/off switch and has a shunting collar and I let it run 6 mos per yr. This keeps the boat fresh smelling - works great for me.

Install- into the acrylic/lexan hatches- Get a lexan pilot bit and turn it slowly without much of any force- let the bit do the work.patience is a virtue here. Once the pilot is in you can switch to the hole saw bit- don't load that either - light and easy does it not hard force. The sharp milwauikee bit will turn slowly and etch its way thru- you might !!slightly wobble!! the drill as you get almost thru it but dont' speed up the drill- and it should go fine. It will shave off like auto body filler.

When I inserted the forward vent I shot my pilot hole thru the cabin top and then slowley cut thru the deck with the hole saw- then shot up from the bottom thru the liner using the original pilot hole from the top- worked well- you might want to totally fill in the open space of the shaftway (deck to liner- or caulk the sleeve/shaft insert of the solar vent very well- don't want water gettin into the core!!!

 

[Jared1048]

I've two cowling on my coach roof. The dorade box isn't directly couple to inside cabin so instead, I install 2 computer fans inside cabin roof lining vent and wire it to a solar panel outside on deck. Thus I've 2 powerful fan blowing or sucking air (can be turned around) to cabin working with the Nicro Day/Night Solar vent at forward hatch to freshen the air inside.Picture show the dual vent and another show that behind it is a computer fan driven by solar panel (not shown) mounted outside at coachroof. Cabin air blown out through the cowling. The SS gaze is to prevent rats from entering cabin.
To change between exhaust & air inlet, just turn the fan around as the computer fan won't reverse by changing polarity.

What kind of solar panel did you mount the computer fans too? What about the battery pack? Was it some kind of combined package? I looked on amazon and found some 5 watt panels?

I removed my vent cover and its just a single 4' hole in the cabin roof with 2 cowel vents. I nabbed a cpu fan from the garbage and it would fit perfectly.

Thanks,
-Jared

 

[Juice6576]

My 33 has a passive solar vent in the head. I've thought about replacing it with a solar powered vent. I installed one on my old H26 and it kept the boat free of mold.

 

[Jared1048]

I leave the bilge blower running 24/7 (when connected to shore power) and it is always pumping lots of fresh air through. I like that it pulls air from the bilge where it is dampest & grungiest and that air is replaced from outside air.

I had to replace the blower motor once and replaced it with one rated for "continuous use".

It's too early to say that this is or is not working to freshen the boat, but would welcome other's comments.

I have a 2007 Hunter 33.

steve

I was thinking of this also. I bought a fancy Wallas diesel heater when I got the boat and could run it on the "fan" setting at the lowest setting. I need to have a chat with the folks at Wallas to see what kind of wear-and-tear that might add to the fans. I cant imagine this being a big strain on the system.

Thanks for sharing everyone!

 

[Ken13559]

What kind of solar panel did you mount the computer fans too? What about the battery pack? Was it some kind of combined package? I looked on amazon and found some 5 watt panels?

I removed my vent cover and its just a single 4' hole in the cabin roof with 2 cowel vents. I nabbed a cpu fan from the garbage and it would fit perfectly.

Thanks,
-Jared

I had a Sunsei 5W powering these fans till I stepped on and broken the panel. Now I use the Powerfilm Rollable 14W. Placed it on top of sailcover (sits nicely, secured between the lazy-jack and facing sun any time of day). No battery connected. Thinking of wiring the panel to house bank with 5-ways selector switch for options like, 1)OFF, 2)Solar->Fans, 3)Solar+Batt->Fans, 4)Solar->Batt & 5)Batt->Fans.
I think single fan is good enough, but get a high volumn if possible. Load is probably about <200mA so a 5W is just about adequate given you may not have good sunlight through out the day. No night operation unless you wire in a battery. Then the solar panel Wattage may have to go up some.

Ken